Re: [DL] Freeing the Slaves

[Jay <jaygilham@adelphia.net>]

Title:

> > Not really. Had the number of blacks in the CSA army
> > ever risen to a significant percentage, they would
> > simply have turned around, killed their officers and
> > hastened a Union victory - why would former slaves
> > be willing to die for their masters?
> >
> >   
> Sorry I don't see it.  Nationalism is a strong force. 
> The ex-slaves are Southeners born and bred, why would
> they help the Union?

I have read quite a few historical account from former slaves where they
state that a large number of the exslaves and slaves (at the time) were very
loyal to their masters and the Confederacy.   At the onset of the war there
were alot of blacks that volunteered for service in the confederate cause
too (most were turned away however).  Many viewed it as the folks up north
trying to tell us how to live.


It was mentioned that a force of black troops guarding Richmond wouldn't
have worked for the Confederacy.  Near the war's end there were regiments
of  black confederates guarding the capitol.  An account by a union cavalryman
stated that they were some of the hardest fighting men they ever tangled
with.


Slavery would have probably died out in a generation anyway had the south
won their independence.  The Confederate Constitution outlawed the import
of slaves.  Also slavery was begining to not be cost effective anymore.


Could someone clear up something for me.  I heard mention a while back when
talking to some reenacting buddies that Gen. U.S. Grant owned slaves up until
the end of the war.  Is this correct?


Jay