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Congress passes the Second Confiscation and Militia Act, which freed all slaves still in captivity in the South.
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Shortly after the Second Confiscation and Militia Act was passed, blacks were granted access to enlist in the Union Army. After encouragement from Frederick Douglas, recruitments became steady.
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The Bureau of Colored Troops is established to deal with the new black soldiers.
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During the Battle of Fort Wagner in South Carolina, the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers lost over half of their troops. The 54th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers was one of the most famous black troops who fought in the Civil War.
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The Battle of Fort Pillow in Tennessee ending with a massacre of black Union troops. Many were killed, and black survivors were held captive and shot to death by the Confederates.
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After many protests, Congress finally granted equal salaries to black and white soldiers fighting in the Civil War