Category: Civil War
Douglass’ Role in the Civil War
“A war undertaken and brazenly carried for the perpetual enslavement of the colored men, calls logically and loudly for the colored men to help suppress it.” Growing political tensions over the spread of slavery started a decade before the beginning of the war. As a preamble to the Civil War, between 1854 and 1861, […] more
Recruiting African American soldiers for the Union Army
“The War for the Union, whether men so call it or not, is a war for Emancipation” Since the beginning of the Civil War in 1861, Douglass began advocating for the inclusion of black soldiers in the Union Army. He believed that fighting for the Union was fighting for the freedom of the black man […] more
The Emancipation Proclamation Text
The Emancipation Proclamation January 1, 1863 A Transcription By the President of the United States of America: A Proclamation. Whereas, on the twenty-second day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, a proclamation was issued by the President of the United States, containing, among other things, the following, […] more
“Another Word to Colored Men”
Source: Douglass Monthly, April 1863 Let me sound once more the trump of war. We should have blast on blast from that trumpet, till thrilled with its notes every brave black men of the North, capable of bearing arms, shall come forth, clad in complete steel, ready to make the twin monsters, slavery and […] more
“Men of Color to Arms!”
Broadside, Rochester, March 21, 1863 When first the rebel cannon shattered the walls of Sumter and drove away its starving garrison, I predicted that the war then and there inaugurated would not be fought out entirely by white men. Every month’s experience during these dreary years has confirmed that opinion. A war undertaken and brazenly […] more
“Why Should a Colored Man Enlist?”
Source: Frederick Douglass, Douglass’ Monthly, April 1863 This question has been repeatedly put to us while raising men for the 54th Massachusetts regiment during the past five weeks, and perhaps we cannot at present do a better service to the cause of our people or to the cause of the country than by giving a […] more
