|
 Articles Indexed by TopicAugusta County : African-Americans in the WarNote: When you select an article from the list below you will be taken to the appropriate page of the newspaper. You may need to scroll down in order to find the particular article you are interested in reading. |
Staunton Spectator, December 23, 1862, p. 2, c. 3:
"'We understand that . . .'"
Announces that the draft for slaves will take place Wednesday at
the Court House. Adds that "slave owners desiring to be present to witness the draft" may do
so.
The Spectator, June 2, 1863, p. 2, c. 5:
"'Steadily and noiselessly . . .'"
Complains bitterly about the federal policy of attempting to
starve the Confederacy into submission. The article also criticizes Northern attempts to "turn
from their allegiance and their duty the poor, simple-minded race, whom Yankee cupidity was
permitted, under the Providence of God, to introduce among us."
The Spectator, June 23, 1863, p. 2, c. 3:
"The Black Flag."
Encourages Confederate forces to raise the black flag "in every battle in
which the negroes are made the tools of the cowardly Abolitionists."
The Spectator, July 28, 1863, p. 2, c. 1:
"'The Yankees have been . . .'"
Complains about the depredations by Northern troops in
North Carolina, who have been stealing slaves and destroying property. The Spectator notes that
"The poor negroes when taken are either put into the army, where they are killed by Southern
soldiers in the field of battle, or sent north where they are killed by Yankee rioters."
The Spectator, August 18, 1863, p. 2, c. 3:
"Patriotism of a Colored Man."
Praises a black man by the name of Henry Jones [property of
Mr. E. Cannon of Clarksville, Virginia] who sent a letter containing $465 in gold specie to the
Confederate Treasury Department to aid the war effort. Jones's letter reportedly speaks of "our
glorious cause" and claims that the slaves of the South have a greater interest in the success of
the war than the white population, since he is convinced that "if the Yankees are successful the
negroes are destined to the most cruel treatment at their hands."
The Spectator, September 15, 1863, p. 2, c. 1:
"Charleston."
Recounts the travails of Charleston and describes both the victories and
losses sustained during the recent hostilities. The Union forces garrisoned the fort with the 54th
Massachusetts Colored Regiment, much to the consternation of the Confederates.
The Vindicator, October 9, 1863, p. 2, c. 3:
"The Hope of the North."
The editor copies an excerpt from the New York Times, which he
qcalls "that out-and-out abolition sheet," on the number of African-American troops in the Union
army and then launches into a long discussion of how and why the North has to force slaves into
service. The editor notes that twenty million white people in the North cannot subjugate the
South, but the North nevertheless believes that additional African-American troops will make a
difference.
The Spectator, October 13, 1863, p. 2, c. 5:
"Sensible Colored Folks."
According to an account by a Lieut. Daniels, between thirty-five or
forty Southern blacks captured at the Battle of Gettysburg by Northern forces are being held at
Fort McHenry. While they have been offered release from their confinement if they would "take
an oath of allegiance to the Federal Government and join the Lincoln army," the prisoners have
refused the offer and have instead insisted that they should "be restored to their masters and
homes in the South."
The Spectator, October 13, 1863, p. 2, c. 4:
"Draft for Slaves on Fortifications."
Upon the request of William A. Burnett, deputy clerk of
Augusta County, the paper notifies the public that a request has been made for the requisition of
eighty male slaves to labor on fortifications of public defense for a term of sixty days.
The Spectator, October 20, 1863, p. 1, c. 7:
"The Negro and the Yankee."
Based on reports in two Northern papers, it appears that the
army will be increasingly forced to rely on substitutes and African Americans to maintain troop
strength.
The Vindicator, November 13, 1863, p. 1, c. 5:
"Negro Recruiting Officer Killed."
A recruiting officer for African-American soldiers was
killed in St. Mary's County, Maryland. Lieutenant White, the officer killed, had heard that
prominent slave owner Colonel John H. Sotheron had two slaves tied up so they could not enlist.
White visited Sotheron, who refused to release the slaves and who, with his son, threatened to
attack White. White proceeded to a field where some of Sotheron's slaves were working and
announced that he was willing to enlist anyone so interested. He was then killed by the two
Sotherons.
The Vindicator, November 13, 1863, p. 1, c. 6:
"A South Carolina Negro in New York."
A chaplain left behind with the wounded at
Gettysburg reports that few African Americans captured at Gettysburg took the oath of allegiance
to the Yankees. He relates a conversation between a South Carolina African American and
Yankee General Morris in which the former refuses to fight for the North.
The Vindicator, November 20, 1863, p. 1, c. 7
"Negroes in Memphis."
Thirty-five thousand slaves have escaped and made their way to the
Mississippi River and now look to Northern philanthropists and abolitionists for assistance, only
to find that those people who wanted them to gain their freedom are ill equipped to help
them.
The Vindicator, January 29, 1864, p. 2, c. 2:
"'We have been informed . . .'"
The editor has learned from someone traveling through
Winchester that Northern troops are enrolling African Americans in Jefferson and Berkley
counties. The editor notes the irony of African Americans leaving the place where they have been
cared for, aligning with Northerners who have shown no concern for them and who will place
them on the front lines, and then shooting Southerners who have lived with them for so long.
The Spectator, April 19, 1864, p. 2, c. 1:
"From Suffolk."
Notes that Suffolk, Virginia, has been occupied again by Yankee troops,
including a regiment of black soldiers.
The Vindicator, April 22, 1864, p. 1, c. 6
"Negro Soldiers in the North."
Discusses how equal pay for African-American troops
actually results in their receiving higher pay than white soldiers because the pay is based on the
size of family in need of support, and African-American families are larger than white families.
The Vindicator, April 29, 1864, p. 2, c. 1:
"Retaliation."
The editor comments on Lincoln's address at the opening of the Sanitary Fair
in Baltimore, in which the President called for a person-for-person retaliation of the massacre at
Fort Pillow, if investigations reveal that a massacre is indeed what occurred there. In rebuttal, the
editor contends that General Forrest killed the African-American and Union soldiers who resisted
capture, an appropriate procedure in war. If the President truly wants retaliation, the editor
warns, then let him be advised that the approach is two-sided and should not end until he has met
his "retributive share," thereby ridding the African Americans of their worst enemy (Lincoln).
The Spectator, May 24, 1864, p. 2, c. 4:
"The Spirit of the Boys."
Explains that boys in Winchester have become more enthusiastic
recently about enlisting in the Confederate army because the town was occupied by a black
regiment.
The Vindicator, July 8, 1864, p. 1, c. 4: "The Fort Pillow
Affair--Reputation [sic] of Federal Slanders."
Refutes Union accusations of a Confederate
slaughter of African-American soldiers.
The Vindicator, October 28, 1864, p. 1, c. 5: "Arming
Negroes."
Notes the reserve troops available by arming African Americans and calls upon the
public and the government to be of one mind in deciding whether or not to arm them.
The Vindicator, November 4, 1864, p. 1, c. 3:
"Correspondence between Gen'ls Lee and Grant."
The text of correspondence between
Generals Lee and Grant in October 1864 includes their discussion of African-American prisoners
of war and of alleged retaliatory acts by Union General Butler in his treatment of Confederate
prisoners of war.
The Vindicator, November 4, 1864, p. 1, c. 6: "Negroes to
Fight for the South."
The New York News reports that the Confederacy is moving closer to
using slaves as soldiers in battle, potentially swelling the ranks by three hundred thousand men.
The newspaper notes that such a move is obvious, as slaves have already proven their obedience,
loyalty, and strength to their masters.
The Vindicator, November 18, 1864, p. 1, c. 4: "Negroes in
the Army."
The Savannah News refuses to publish letters regarding the question of placing
African Americans in the Southern army, deeming the topic unsuitable for discussion in a
newspaper.
The Vindicator, November 18, 1864, p. 2, c. 1: "The
President's Message."
The editor comments on President Davis's message, the text of which
was published in the previous week's issue, and the encouraging report it contains. Most areas in
the Confederacy taken by the enemy have been recovered, or at least the enemy's hold has
weakened, finances are more stable, and the arming of African Americans is not necessary at
present.
The Vindicator, December 2, 1864, p. 2, c. 2: "Negroes for
the Army."
Reports that Senator Henry of Tennessee introduced a bill to employ free blacks
and slaves in the Confederate army.
The Vindicator, December 9, 1864, p. 2, c. 1: "War
News."
In surveying the news on the various war fronts for the previous week, the editor
reports that General Grant replaced white troops near Fort Harrison with African-American
troops and reports that General Rosser made a surprise attack in the Valley and captured Fort
Kelly at New Creek.
