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| THE LINE OFFICERS OF THE FIRST LOUISIANA NATIVE GUARDS SKETCHED BY OUR SPECIAL ARTIST from Harper's Weekly - February 28, 1863 (Many of the captains and lieutenants in this reg't were black) |
The Civil War in Their Words blog is dedicated to publishing the voices of all participants in the Irrepressible Conflict. Our commitment is to commemorate America's rich, diverse history and honor the contributions of all cultures, races, and genders to that moment in time.
Ironically, a Confederate veteran—many years after the Civil War—wrote:
"The histories . . . are all written by 'big bugs,' generals and renowned historians, and like the fellow who called a turtle a 'cooter,' being told that no such word as cooter was in Webster's dictionary, remarked that he had as much right to make a dictionary as Mr. Webster or any other man; so have I to write a history." - Sam R. Watkins [1]
I say "ironically" because Watkins's memoir is a case study in his own quote. The "privileged" soldiers of the 1st Tennessee Regiment—including Watkins—had fifty slaves. Watkins's slave was a man named Sanker. Here's where the irony comes in: As constant a presence as these enslaved men were in the unit, Watkins never acknowledged them in the pages of his memoir. He effectively purged slavery from his own "big bugs" account of the war, demonstrating the processes of both remembering and forgetting that help shape what we teach, think, and believe about history.
Although we seek to explore excerpts from the letters and diaries written by all soldiers—Union Blue and Confederate Gray—sharing a common experience, we also want to acknowledge their individual perspectives. These perspectives, shaped by race and gender, add a unique dimension to how each soldier made sense of their experiences.
Like Watkins said, however ironically, history is written "by 'big bugs,'" and we must remember that the stories we choose to tell shape our understanding of the past and help guide our path forward. As recent events have shown, efforts to dismantle DEI programs and rewrite significant historical events like the January 6 insurrection underscore the importance of preserving - not destroying - the framework we've built over the last seventy years to promote the fair treatment and full participation of all people.
Ensuring that all voices are heard and respected is crucial, especially those from underrepresented or marginalized groups, to preserve and enrich our collective history.
Here's one such voice and notice his allegiance to country.
A Letter from a Black Soldier - 1862
We arrived at this place [Lafourche Landing] on the 1st instant eight hundred to eight hundred and forty-five strong . . . We have not, as yet, had the pleasure of exchanging shots with the enemy. But we are still anxious, as we have ever been, to show to the world that the latent courage of the African is aroused, and that, while fighting under the American flag, we can and will be a wall of fire and death to the enemies of this country, our birth place.
When we enlisted we were hooted at in the streets of New Orleans as a rabble of armed plebeians and cowards. I am proud to say that if any cowardice has been exhibited since we left Camp Strong, it has been exhibited by the rebels. They have retreated [as] we have marched, burning bridges, and destroying culverts . . . I am not of a disposition to claim for our regiment more than its share of praise, but I venture the assertion that there is not a regiment in the service more willing to share the hardships of marching and bivouacking, and more desirous of meeting the enemy than this regiment. [2]
This powerful excerpt from a Black soldier's letter during the Civil War highlights the unwavering determination and courage of African Americans fighting for their country. It serves as a poignant reminder of the support and sacrifices made by those who have been historically marginalized and underrepresented.
The courage and resilience demonstrated by this soldier echo the ongoing struggle in this country for equality and justice. As we continue to fight for the fair treatment and full participation of all people, we must also remain vigilant in ensuring that all voices are heard and respected - especially those from underrepresented or marginalized groups.
There are millions of stories from the Irrepressible Conflict. This was just one of them.
Mac
Works Cited
[1] Watkins, Sam R. (1882) Company Aytch: Or, a Side Show of the Big Show. Although often heralded as one of the best primary sources about the common soldier's Civil War experience, one has to wonder how much of his experience - unlike the farmers and immigrant soldiers of the North - was blunted by having slaves to do the real work.
[2] "Hartford Daily Courant (Hartford, Connecticut), 26 November 1862". p. 2.
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