Why did some black people support the southern states and confederacy?

Answer 1

What did Blacks fight for South Answer

They were ordered to by their Masters. They served regularly as cooks, cleaning crews, etc. No actual Black Regiments served for the Confederacy however, and those that were formed were late in the history of the Confederacy and never saw combat. In fact, the Confederacy was founded on the belief that 'the Negro is not equal to the White man'(VP of the CSA). So, if they as a nation did enlist Blacks, that would go against the very principles of the Confederacy.

Answer 2

I haven't read of any who did fight for the south. There are those who were behind enemy lines and when the north moved in the Confederates wanted them. Major General Benjamin F. Butler made history when he allowed slaves from nearby plantations who sought refuge with his forces to remain in camp as laborers. "I shall hold these Negros as contraband of war." he said, and Lincoln backed him up. This meant that he didn't have to turn over the slaves to the southern troops. One planter in Arkansas warned his slaves that if Yankees ever got close enough to liberate them, he would line them up "and free you with my shotgun." Some former slaves worked for Federal officers on military projects while some did work for southerners loyal to the Union. There was the Union 54th Massachusetts was one of 166 regiments of the US Colored Troops that added 200,000 soldiers to the Union cause. The first black regiment recruited in the North achieved lasting fame like none others because of their valor in a failed attack on Ft. Wagner, South Carolina. Today they are known as the "Glory regiment" and their story was put on film in 1989 in the movie "Glory".

Banned by law from armed service at the start of the war, blacks were finally able to enlist thanks to the military act of 1862 and the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. One of the first official black regiments was the 1stSouth Carolina Volunteers.

Answer 3

This was only allowed to happen right at the end, too late to make any impact.

The Confederate mindset had been strongly against the whole principle, and when one General (Cleburne) suggested putting slaves into uniform, the remark was officially scratched from the minutes of the meeting.

Answer 4

the south promised to free the African Amerians that fought in the war