How were African Americans in combat affected by prejudice in American society?

Answer 1

African-Americans fought mainly for the north, though the south formed a few black units very late in the war. Both sides segregated the African-Americans into separate units, with black enlisted personnel and white officers. Initially the black Union soldiers were paid less than white soldiers of the same rank. Union commanders believed at first blacks would not or could not fight well. Confederates were often enraged to be opposed by black troops, whom they knew to be mostly runaway slaves. The Confederates at first threatened to kill all blacks found in Union uniforms, rather than take them prisoners, and to execute their white officers, but the Yankees threatened to retaliate against Confederate prisoners if they did. Confederates were still reluctant to take black prisoners, as at "The Crater" near Petersburg in July, 1864, or at Fort Pillow.