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March 5, 1770 Crispus Attucks and the Boston Massacre
the "first to defy and the first to die" (Rastatter), one of five men killed. Attucks who escaped from his master 20 years prior was born to an African slave father and Native American mother. Prior to him being called to serve and after he escaped his master, Attucks worked on docks around Boston, also held jobs a a rope maker and sailed on ships that left out of Boston. Tensions were already high between the locals and the British soldiers prior to the Boston Massacre. An altercation -
March 5, 1770 Crispus Atrucks and the Boston Massacre
between a young local and British soldiers is what caused tension to boil over and emotions to erupt into the Boston Massacre. That's when a large group of locals, which included Crispus Attucks, started to antagonize a smaller group of soldiers. The altercation got physical with some pushing and shoving with the Britiash soldiers drawing their weapons and firing on the crowd of people, killing five and wounding many. In 1889, a group of black abolishtionists erected a staue built in Attuck's -
March 5, 1770 Crispus Attucks and the Boston Massacre
honor called the Crispus Attucks Monument, and many years prior to the statue being built, they started a "Crispus Attucks Day."
"Many African Americans Were Dedicated Patriots During the Revolutionary War." MHO. June 12, 2006. History Net. Web. 26 Nov. 2012. http://www.historynet.com/many-african-americans-were-dedicated.
"Crispus Attucks." Africans in America. Public Broadcasting Sytem. 2012. Web. 26 Nov. 2012. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia. -
March 5, 1770 Crispus Attucks and the Boston Massacre
Rastatter, Paul. "Black Solidiers and Sailors During the Revolution." Archiving Early America. Early America. 2004. Web. 26 Nov. 2012. http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/2004.
"Blacks in the Revolution." New York Freedom. New York Freedom. 2012. Web. 26 Nov. 2012. http://www.nyfreedom.com/blacks. -
March 5, 1770 Crispus Attucks and the Boston Massacre
In the Boston Massacre of 1770 a runaway slave by the name of Crispus Attucks, who had escaped from his master, was one of the first Americans to die. Many historians feel that he was the first casualty of the American Revolution. They also believe that the Boston Massacre of 1770 was one event that led to the American Revolution, adding fuel to the patriots' fire, making them feel even more justified to rebel against what they felt as the evil tyrant rule by the crown. He was later dubbed as -
Period: to
"Black History" The role of the African-American in early wars
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May 1775 (Committee of Safety) Congress Refuses Black Enlistees
Even though black soldiers helped the patriots in the early Revolutionary War battles of Lexington Concord and Bunker Hill, they were quickly no longer accepted or allowed to enlist in the Continental Army, which was very short lived due to scarce ad dwindling numbers of troops on the patriot side. They quickly ended up overturning that and allowing slaves back into the Continental Army. Many slave masters were very fearful of arming their slaves in fear of mass slave revolts. -
May 1775 (Committee of Safety) Congress Refuses Black Enlistees
Also, there were rumors going around the South that the British had been promising slaves that if they killed their colonial masters, they would receive their lands. One thing historias do know is that the British were promising slaves freedom if they joined forces with the British ("Many"). The Committee of Safety decided to no longer allow any slaves in the Continental Army and discharging free black men from serving in the army as well. -
May 1775 (Committee of Safety) Congress Refuses Black Enlistees
Rastatter, Paul. "Black Soldiers and Sailors During the Revolution." Archiving Early America. Early America. 2004. Web. 26 Nov. 2012. http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/2004.
"Many African Americans Were Dedicated Patriots During the Revolutionary War." MHO. History Net. June 12, 2006. Web. 26 Nov. 2012. http"//www.historynet.com/many-african-americans-were-dedicated. -
November 14, 1775 Lord Dunmore's Proclamation
John Murray the Earl of Dunmore, who was nicknamed the "African Hero" by Richard Henry Lee ("Portrait"), really had no great concern for the well being of slaves. He was more interested in causing mass hysteria and confusion for Virginia patriot slave owners. He knew that by offering their slaves freedom during war time while slave owners were fighting, he would cause lots of trouble and confusion on their plantatiobns. It would also add to the number of British troops. -
November 14, 1775 Lord Dunmore's Proclamation
His troops were no longer being supported by the crown, and he was in desperate need of back-up. So, Dunmore created and issued a proclamation made public, stating that any able-bodied slave who joined forces with him would eventually be freed. When his proclamation circulated, about 800 slaves ended up joining forces with his British troops. He even gave the black soldiers a name, "Lord Dunmore's Ethiopian Regiment" and even gave them uniforms with "Liberty to Slaves" stitched on them. -
November 14, 1775 Lord Dunmore's Proclamation
He also trained them for battle and had them help defeat a group of militia at Kemp's Landing. Dunmore's Proclamation ended up causing black slaves to fight agaist each other because some slaves stayed loyal to their masters and fought on the patriots' side. Dunmore's black regiment ended up dissolving from disease and casualities of war. He ended up fleeing Virginia with 300 of the healtiest slaves, leaving some behind to fend for themselves. -
November 14, 1775 Lord Dunmore's Proclamation
Rastatter, Paul. "Black Soldiers and Sailors During the Revolution." Archiving Early America. Early America. 2004. Web. 26 Nov. 2012. http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/2004. -
February 1778 1st Rhode Island Regiment
This regiment was composed of mostly blacks, with some whites and Indians. It was only formed because Rhode Island was having serious problems meeting their necessary quota for their two battalions. At the urging of George Washington who earlier was totally against the use of slaves during war now had a change of heart (Adams). With the British starting to flex their muscles causibg patriot forces to drop in numbers, he wrote to Rhode Island Gov. Nicholas Cooke asking about enlisting slaves. -
February 1778 1st Rhode Island Regiment
Against subtle rsistance from Rhode Island slave owners, Congress passed the law allowing able-bodied men could enlist and, those slave owners would be compensated. Those slaves who did enlist were promised guaranteed freedom after their tour of duty was officially over. The slaves who did enlist joined the 1st Rhode Island REgiment and with very little training were sent off to battle. This regiment's most significat battle was their first battle, the Battle of Rhode Island. -
February 1778 1st Rhode Island Regiment
Adams, Gretchen A. "Deeds of Desperate Valor: The First Rhode Island Regiment." American Revolution Essays. American Revolution Essays. 2012. Web. 27 Nov. 2012.
http;//www.revolution.h-net.msu.edu/essays/adams.
"The 1st Rhode Island Regiment of the Continental Line." American Revolution. American Revolution.org. 2012. Web. 27 Nov. 2012.
http://www.americanrevolution.org/firstri.html. -
February 1778 1st Rhode Island Regiment
Rastatter, Paul. "Black Soldiers and Sailors During the Revolution." Archiving Early Americans. Early America. 2004. Web. 26 Nov. 2012. http://www.earlyamerica.com/review.2004.
"American Revolution (1775-1783) and the Black Participation in the War of Independence." Blavk Americans in Defense of Our Nation. Department of Defense, 1985. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. http://www.shsu.edu -
February 1778 1st Rhode Island Regiment
With Continental troops forced to retreat under heavy attack from British and Hessian troops, the 1st Rhode Island Regiment was sent to the front line to hold those troops off. Even with little to no experience, they fought courageously and valiantly to the surprise of many on both the patriot and British sides. This earned them high praise from most of their superiors for their heroic efforts. They served five years and in numerous battles. -
1781 James Forten
The U.S. Navy has always been one of the more lenient branches of the armed forces when it came to the experience of black sailors. It is also the branch of the military where black troops truly excelled and contributed the most in battle. Black soliders and sailors during the Revolutionary War fought on both sides, both the American and the British. One of the most popular and well known black seaman during that period was James Forten. -
1781 James Forten
Forten came from a well to do black family, with his grandfather being one of the first Pennsylvania slaves to purchase his own freedom ("Black"). Forten was born into a free black Pennsylvania family in 1766. He enlisted into the Navy at the ripe age of 14. He was a powder boy on the Royal Louis. During his time on the ship, they were attacked and captured by a British ship. Once captured, Forten was put in British prison for seven months. -
1781 James Forten
During his imprisonment, he had the opportunity to be set free and live a life in Britain, but he was so loyal to America that he refused to be a traitor. After finally being released, Forten wound up having a very successful career in business and also became a leader of the abolotionist movement. He owned his own sail loft, and even had white men working for him. He amassed a fortune of over $100,000. After his passing, he was so well respected even white men attended his funeral. -
1781 James Forten
Rastatter, Paul. "Black Soldiers and Sailors During the Revolution." Archiving Early America. Early America. 2004. Web. 26 Nov. 2012. http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/2004.
"Blacks in the Revolution." New York Freedom. New York Freedom. 2012. Web. 26 Nov. 2012. http://www.nyfreedom.com/blacks.
"Black Revolutionary Seamen 1775-1783." Africans in America. Public Broadcasting System. 2012. Web. 26 Nov, 2012. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia. -
May 8, 1792 The Military Act of 1792
Even though black soldiers fought with valor, after the Revolutionary War was over, their services were no longer needed or respected. With the South enforcing their will over Congress, they passed the Military Act of 1792, which basically stated that only able-bodied white men could serve in the Army. Just like war prior and later, the white man's view woukd change once facing desperation. -
May 8, 1792 The Military Act of 1792
The main reason for the military act was to force young white men to report and serve in their state militias, with the president having the right to call on the militia when needed. They had to pass this act because enlistment numbers were low. When America formed its Marine Core years later in 1798, they also placed a similar ban that did not allow the services of black troops. That ban lasted all the way until World War II (Vaughn). -
May 8, 1792 The Military Act of 1792
Vaughn. Leroy. "War of 1812." Black People and Their Place in World History." Computer Health.org. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.
http://www.computerhealth.org/ebook/1776post.html.
Altoff, Gerard T. "African-American History of the War of 1812 Sites" National Park Service. U.S. Department of the Interior. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. http://www.nps.gov/archives. -
June 22, 1807 The Chesapeake Affair
The Chesapeake Affair of 1807 happened when tensions between the British and America was very high. That's why even though three of the four men who were captured were black., Americans still found this to be extremely disturbing and were very irate about it. This just fueled and intensified their speculation that the British had no respect for Americans, especially at sea ("Chesapeake"). -
June 22, 1807 The Chesapeake Affair
This situation alo heightened their thirst to conquer Florida and push the French and British out of Canada, which ultimately lead to the War of 1812. Wiiliam Ware, Daniel Martin and John Strachan, along with a white seaman, were the four men captured. They were captured in retaliation for some British men being captured prior. This altercation and America already having problems with the British trying to block their trade by continuing to take over American ships is what precipatated the WAr -
June 22, 1807 The Chesapeake Affair
"Blacks Key in 1812 War." The Afro-American Newspapers. The Afro-American Newspapers. 20 June 2012. Web. 26 Nov. 2012.
http://www.afro.com/sectios/news/afro_briefs/story. "Chesapeake" Chattanooga African American Museum. Chattanooga African American Museum. 2012, Web. 26 Nov. 2012. http://www.superpages.com/bp/Chattanooga-TN/Chattanooga-African-American. -
September 1812 The Battalion of Freemen of Color
This Battalion was very different than any other around that time in America. It was the only black volunteer militia that had its own line officers. When Louisiana officially became a state in 1812, it allowed free black men who owned land to join the militia. Those men formed the original Battalion of Freemen of Color in 1812. The battalion had black lietenants also. -
September 1812 The Battalion of Freemen of Color
They were seperated into two battalions. Their battalion was assisted by another already established battalion made up of black soldiers from St. Domingo when they fought the British in the Battle of New Orleans. The St. Domingo Battalion of Freemen of Color or better known as the first battalion were predominantly free men from Haiti lead by Joseph Savary, a native of Saint Domingue who formed the battalion of mostly free Haitian emigrants. -
September 1812 The Battalion of Freemen of Color
A lot of those men were already battle tested from their days of fighting for the French. The second battalion was made up of free black men from Louisiana and some slaves. After the Battle of New Orleas ended in an American victory, Gen. Andrew Jackson went on record publicly praising the effort and bravery of the two battalions (Foner). -
September 1812 The Battalion of Freemen of Color
Foner, Laura. "The Free People of Color in Louisiana and St. Domingue: A Comparative Portrait of Two Three-Caste Slave Societies." Journal of Social History. Vol 3 No. 4 (Summer, 1970): 406-430. JSTOR. Web. 23 Nov. 2012. http://www.jstor.org/stable. -
September 10, 1813 Battle of Lake Erie
This battle showed how important and versatile blak soldiers were. These black men that fought in this battle were serving in America's Navy and lots of the superiors would later state in their battle repoirts that these men were some of the best in the Navy. In this particular battle, there were about 200 black men that fought that day. Congress only months prior had passed an act allowing black men to serve in the Navy. -
September 10, 1813 Battle of Lake Erie
The commander for the ship on Lake erie was Oliver Hazzard, and like many other high ranking officials in wars before and after him, he was forced into using black men because the number of troops had gotten very low. Just like George WAshington had acted in the Revolutionary WAr, he did not want any part of commandig black men, even after he was told how well they did in combat. -
September 10, 1813 Battle of Lake Erie
It was not until after they won the Battle of Lake Erie, due in large part to his black navy men, did he change his tune and give them praise, applauding their fierceness in battle (Vaughn). They captured all the British soldiers, making them give up. The battle on Lake Erie was a crucial battle in the Old Northwest. -
September 10, 1813 Battle of Lake Erie
Vaughn, Leroy. "War of 1812." Black People and Their Place in World History. Computer Health. Org. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.
http://www.computerhealth.org/ebook/1776post.html.
Altoff, Gerard T. "African-American History at War of 1812 Sites." National Park Service. U.S. Department of interior. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. http://www.nps.gov/archives.
"Black Sailors and Soldiers in the WAr of 1812." Public Broadcasting System. Public Broadcasting System. Web. 2012. 25 Nov. 2012. http://www.pbs.org/wa -
September 10, 1813 Battle of Erie
"Black Sailors and Soldiers in the War of 1812." Public Broadcasting System. Public Broadcasting System. Web. 2012. 25 Nov. 2012. http://www.pbs.org/war-of-1812/essays/black-soldiers.
Swedin, Eric G. "War of 1812: Battle of Lake Etie--Oliver Perry Prevails." Military History (April 1997). History Net. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. http://www.historynet.com/war-of-1812-battle-of-lake-erie-oliver-perry. -
January 8, 1815 Battle Of New Orleans
Once again black men were called on and promised equal footing if they answered the call to serve, only like the American Revolution before and the Civil WAr after, be let down in peace time after the war ends. The Battle of New Orleans was no different. Only in a fearful panicked state of mind did future president and then General Andrew Jackson call on blacks to help fight, with the promise of better rights and just like all the other times and wars, black men came running. -
January 8, 1815 Battle of New Orleans
However, Louisiana did have some free black men that served in the militia prior to the Battle of New Orleans. An interestin note about the Battle of New Orleans is Gen. Andrew Jackson had no idea that a peace treaty had already been signed between America and the British, the Treaty of Ghent, about a month before the battle occurred. The Louisiana Battalion of Freemen of Color was one of the blak battalions formed that served in the battle. -
January 8, 1815 Battle of New Orleans
They served on the front lines in this victory, which was one of the most important of the War of 1812. It stopped the British from taking control of New Orleas, giving the British one of the worst defeats to date and boosting American people's moral with that victory (Vaughn). -
January 8, 1815 Battle of New Orleans
Vaughn, Leroy. "War of 1812." Black People And Their Place In World History. Computer Health.org. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.
http://www.computerhealth.org/ebook/1776post.html.
Gipson, Jennifer. "Afro-Creoles in the Battle of New Orleans." bibliotheque Tintamarre. bibliotheque Tintamarre. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. http://www.centenary.edu/french/anglais/ang-introafbattleno.html. -
January 8, 1815 Battle of New Orleans
Jones, William J. "Officers and Soldiers of the War 1814-1815 from New Orleans." Southern Historical Society Papers. Southern Historical Society. 2012. Web. 23 Nov. 2012. http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus. -
May 1861 Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass was a American freedom fighter. He was very outspoken in his quest to end slavery in America. He did not speak from lack of experience; he started out as a slave who went on to become and abololiontist and one of the greatest American speakers of his time. During and prior to the Civil War, he fought vigorously to shed light on equality for all human beings. During the war, he insisted the black man be able to serve and help the North fight in the war (Loxton). -
May 1861 Frederick Douglass
He knew that if black people could enlist that it could only help and not hurt, and thought it was a black man's duty and calling to fight since he felt the war was being waged by the South for the main reason of their being able to continue to own slaves. He felt that if blacks were allowed to fight that would help bring the war to an end faster. It would also make a victory for the North that much easier, which would then bring an end to slavery. -
May 1861 Frederick Douglass
He was even willing to offer his own services in battle if black men were allowed to fight, with two of his sons later serving the Union in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry. Douglass wrote about how to end the war after the South attacked the union at Fort Sumpter. -
May 1861 Frederick Douglass
Loxston, Rachel. "May 8, 1861: Frederick Douglass on Negro Right to Fight." Frederick Douglass on Negro Right to Fight. 2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. http://www.7score10years.com/index.php/north/82north.
"Frederick Douglass." History.com. History.com. 2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. http://www.history.com/topics/frederick-douglass. -
May 1861 Frederick Douglass
"How To End The War: Douglass' Monthly, May, 1861." University of Rochester Frederick Douglass Project. University of Rochester. 2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. http://www.lib.rochester.edu/index.cfm?PAGE=4373. -
July 7, 1862 Militia Act of 1862
Like Frederick Douglass stated a year prior, events mightier than government might change how they feel about blacks and black soldiers fighting for the Union. Like in prior American wars, black soldiers were only deemed worthy once morale and toops started reaching all-time lows ("Militia"). Lincoln started waffling and back tracking his original decision to not allow ready, able and willing black soldiers to fight once the Union could not meet its troop quotas. -
July 7, 1862 Militia Act of 1862
The Soouth was putting up a much better fight than the North ever expected. When Congress convened, they passed the "Militia Act of 1862," which gave President Lincoln the right to allow any man he felt suitable to enlist and fight in the war and that included black soldiers also. This was the first step to black soldiers fighting in the Civil War. Although they did not officially join battle until after the Emancipation Proclamation. -
July 7, 1862 Militia Act of 1862
Prior to the proclamation, in a few states, some black men started their own infantrys and even helped fight in the battles. -
July 7, 1862 Militia Act of 1862
"African-American Soldiers in the Civil War." African American Soldiers. African American Soldiers. 2012. Web. 28 nov. 2012.
http://www.history.com/topics/african-american-soldiers.
"Militia Act of 1862." Ohio Civil War Central. Ohio Civil War Central. 2012. 28 Nov. 2012. http://www.ohiocentral.com/entry.php?rec=9287. -
July 7, 1862 Militia Act of 1862
Weidman, Budge. "The Fight for Equal Rights: Black Soldiers in the Civil War." Black Soldiers in the Civil WAr. Black Soldiers in the Civil War. 2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/blacks-civil-war-article. -
January 1, 1863 Emancipation Proclamation
The proclamation woud only be upheld and made into official law with a Union victory. When it did go into effect, it officially allowed slaves and free black men to join the military. By the war's end, 200,00 black men had served in the union military. Since the proclamation only ended slavery in all the states that rebelled against the Union, which meant the border states and the few Confederate states, under Union control, slavery was still allowed. -
January 1, 1863 Emancipation Proclamation
"Emancipation Proclamation." History Channel. History Channel. 3012. /web. 28 Nov. 2012. http://www.history.com/topics/emancipation-proclamation.
"The Emancipation Proclamation." National Archives and Record Administration. National Archives and Record Administration. 2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. http://www,archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation. -
January 1, 1863 Emancipation Proclamation
"The Civil War (1861-1865) and the Black Participation in the Conflict." Black Americans in Defense of Our Nation. Department of Defense, 1985. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. http://www.shsu.edu. -
January 1, 1863 Emancipation Proclamation
There was a great chance that a major piece of American history, the Emancipation Proclamation, might possibly have never happened when it did had the slaves from the south not started fleeing to the north by the thousands and the north had not started losing numerous battles ("Emancipation). This proclamation was created because of how inhumane and unjust slavery was. This was done mainly to give the south a severe blow to their economy, which would weaken their military forces. o -
February 1863 54th Massachusetts Infantry
Even though they were not the first black unit to fight in the Civil War, they are one of the most recognized black units in the war. The black units that fought after the second Confiscation and Militia Act of 1862 were still considered unofficial units of the Union. It wasn't until President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation that these regiments became official. -
February 1863 54th Massacusetts Infantry
That allowed the Gov. of Massachusetts, John A. Andrews, to make the first official call for black soldiers, which led to the formation of the now famous 54th Massacusetts Infantry. The call for black troops caused black men from all over the Union and even Canada to enlist. This included two of Frederick Douglass' sons enlisting, Charles and Lewis Douglass.. -
February 1863 54th Massacusetts Infantry
These black soldiers were taking a major risk by enlisting in the Union due to the fact that the Confederacy made it very clear that any black soldier captured would be enslaved whether they had originally been free. So, thse soldiers were risking their freedom to fight for the freedom of a country they were not even considered citizens of. -
February 1863 54th Massacusetts Infantry
That in itself was a courageous act in terms of their putting their lives and freedom on the line for the Union and they were not even compensated equally as their white counterparts. The white soldiers were paid $13 compared to the blacks $10 ("54th"). Originally, the Union would not send the 54th into battle. They were just sending them on bogus missions that didn't include any combat, just sending them to destroy small southern towns. -
February 1863 54th Massacusetts Infantry
Finally after considerable pressure from the 54th's Col Robert Gould Shaw. the higher ups sent them into battle at Fort Wagner. The fort had been giving white Union troops immense problems, and they had been unsuccessful in taking the fort over. On July 18, 1863, Col. Shaw rallied 600 of his 1,000 infantry men to take over Fort Wagner, but to their surprise, they were vastly outnumbered by 1,700 confederate troops who were waiting patiently on the other side of the wall. -
February 1863 54th Massacusetts Infantry
Even though the 54th was outnumbered two to one, they fought their hearts out, with over 200 being killed, captured or injured. EVen their Col. Shaw was killed in the battle. It was not a total victory for the Confederates; they took a lot of casualties caused by the 54th and later due to that battle closed the Fort. The 54th in that battle showed the Union that day how courageous and skilled black soldiers were, even gaining respect and admiration from Prsident Lincoln. The 54th continued to -
February 1863 54th Massacusetts Infantry
The 54th continued to fight in the Civil War until 1865. They gained so much respect in that battle that an Academy Award winning movie was later made based on their story and that infamous battle at Fort Wagner. -
February 1863 54th Massacusetts Infantry
"The 54th Massacusetts Infantry." History Channel. History Channel. 2012. Web. 28 Nov. 20123.http://www.history.com/topics/the-54th-massacusetts-infantry.
"African-American Soldiers in the Civil War." History Channel. History Channel. 2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2012.http://www.history.com/topics/african-american-soldiers-in-the-war. -
February 1863 54th Massacusetts Infantry
"Exceeding Expectations." National Park Service. U.S. Department of the Interior. 2012. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. http://www.nps.gov/resources/story.htm?id=210. -
June 1864 Siege of Petersburg
In the Siege of Petersburg black men were very influential for both the Union and the Confederacy. A couple of years before the siege, black men, both freedmen and slaves, helped the Confederates build a ten mile long defensive line of trenches and batteries around the city. Black soldiers never served in battle for the South, but towards the end of the siege, Gen. Robert E. Lee became extremely desperate and called on black men to serve for the South. -
June 1864 Siege of Petersburg
called on black men to serve for the South. They were never used because the South was defeated before they could be used. Black soldiers did help in battle for the union and served very gallantly and lost many lives in the many battles of the Siege of Petersburg, helping the Union to a victory. The troops that were assembled at Petersburg were estimated at around 9,000 to 16,000 and was the largest amount of black soldiers assembled during the Civil War. -
June 1864 Siege of Petersburg
These brave soliders fought so well, they went on to earn 15 out of 16 Medals of Honor given to African American soldiers in the Civil War ("African"). Even Gen. Ulysses S. Grant felt that had he let the black soldiers initiate the Battle of Crater instead of white soldiers, they would have won the important battle. Black soldiers did fight in that battle but came in after the white soldiers went in first. This siege eventually lead to Gen. Robert E. Lee surrending to the North.
