Occupation
Blacks were allowed to enlist in the army after the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. The Bureau of Colored Troops was established in 1863 to control the increasing numbers of African American soldiers. However, although there were around 180,000 soldiers in actual combat (10% of the Union army) by the end of the war, racial discrimination designated many blacks as cooks and laborers, jobs of service to other mostly white soldiers. Other jobs included carpenters, chaplains, nurses, scouts, and spies. The fact that blacks were not thought to be adequate for combat shows the inferior position of African Americans to the white soldiers, even though ironically the Union soldiers were fighting a war to free blacks.
Additionally, black regiments did not get a chance to fight as much as other troops because of prejudice. This shows the dichotomy of the war, as Union soldiers were fighting against slavery but were promoting discrimination.
Additionally, black regiments did not get a chance to fight as much as other troops because of prejudice. This shows the dichotomy of the war, as Union soldiers were fighting against slavery but were promoting discrimination.
Large Lot of Tin Cooking Implements and Eating Utensils of the Civil War Era. Digital image. ICollectorcom Online Auctions Upcoming Auctions. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2013. <http://www.icollector.com/Large-lot-of-tin-cooking-implements-and-eating-utensil s-of-the-Civil-War-era-One-with-military-ty_i9859627>.