As America became embroiled in the Civil War in 1861, President Abraham Lincoln faced an excruciatingly difficult decision. He did not wish to alienate border states by allowing African-Americans to fight for the Union Army, but morally he saw the evils of slavery for what they were and he recognized that African-Americans should be enfranchised more in the affairs of state by allowing them to fight for freedom and the preservation of the U.S. as a single unified country. For a period of months, Mr. Lincoln wavered in terms of his decision but came under increasing pressure from Frederick Douglass to allow African-American men to serve in the Union Army (Myers, 1999).

Mr. Douglass, who was one of the most influential leaders of the Abolitionist Movement, and an African-American, summed up his to appeal to President Lincoln by stating: "Let the Black man get upon his person the brass U.S. Let him get an eagle on his button and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pockets and there is no power on earth which can deny that he has earned the right to citizenship in the United States" (Myers, 1999). Mr. Douglass saw an undeniable link between African Americans' service in the Union Army and their right to become citizens of the United States.

After the passage of several months, President Lincoln relented and pressured the Congress to pass a bill to allow African-American men to fight for the Union Army, which they did. The courage of African Americans in battle for their country since, and before, that time has been exemplary.

They had formidable barriers to overcome, however. Because of the reality of racial discrimination in the North, as well, African-American soldiers had to serve in platoons and companies separate from white soldiers. Furthermore, African-American Union Army personnel usually had white officers who mistakenly believed that they did not have the courage or ability of white enlistees (Myers,1999). As a result, African-American soldiers had to serve with great bravery and distinction to gain the acceptance of their white officers.

Ultimately, some 185,000 African-Americans served in the Union Army, with 100,000 of those having previously been slaves (Myers, 1999). Sadly, almost 40,000 of the 185,000 who served in the Union Army were killed in battle. Moreover, 29,000 African-Americans served with distinction in the Union Navy and another 100,000 worked as laborers and spies for the North.

In spite of the provision of inferior weapons, horses, and medical care to them, African-American troops served with great honor and distinction during the Civil War. 20 African-American Army soldiers and Navy sailors earned the nation's highest medal for bravery, the Congressional Medal of honor. By war's end in 1865, 75 African-Americans had been promoted to officer ranks because of their bravery and distinguised service (Myers, 1999).

The courageous service of African Americans in war time, in many ways, laid the foundation for the civil-rights movement and the eventual granting of their civil rights in the 1960s. They have served their country with blood, sweat, and tears and have established a legacy of courage which will endure in the annals of history.

Source: Myers, Peter J. et al. (1999). The War and American Life, Chapter 10, Section 3, p. 198-199. U.S. History: Globe Fearon Foundations Series, Globe Fearon Education Publisher, Upper Saddle River, NJ.