CIVIL WAR
I find it very interesting the fact that Abraham Lincoln, a person known throughout history for his involvement with African Americans, said himself that he does not belive that Blacks should fight in the Civil War. Lincoln expressed plenty of issues with having Blacks fighting in the Union. It would most definitely make reconciliation with the South much more difficult if they were being attacked and killed by Blacks. It could also potentially cause the neutral states to side with the South if they saw Blacks sporting the uniform of the Union. The Frederick Douglas even pleaded with Lincoln to allow Blacks in the Union Army, but was ignored.
The other surpising thing about race in the Civil War was how many Blacks fought for the South. When the Confederate Army invaded Frederick, Maryland, many were surprised to see Blacks mixed “promiscuously” with other white soldiers. While under seige, Steiner, the Health Commissioner claimed that the Confederate Army itself had a putrid smell that needed to be ridden, although who knows if that was true.
In 1865, Howell Cobbs stated that Blacks should NOT be in the Army, but Steiner brought up that he personally saw Cobbs on the front line, surrounded by the Black troops in 1862. So who really knows what is true in regards to Steiner’s comments.