I'm addressing this to both sides of this argument regarding the voluntary participation of African-Americans in the Confederate Army. What does it mean to both sides that their position is accepted or proven valid? If there were a few thousand or more African-American combatants on the Confederate side what does that prove and why is it important? If there were no or only a negligible number of African-Americans voluntarily in the Confederate army what does that prove?

I've never gotten very excited about the possible participation of Black Confederates. I do not believe there were thousands in frontline combat roles with the Confederate army. I can imagine trusted African-American slaves and freedmen acting in self or family interest even carrying weapons, accompanying their current or former masters to the front or even in some few documented cases standing in the firing line. Certainly, there were thousands who acted in support roles. Undoubtedly, many were just trying to get along the best they could and at the first opportunity ran away. Undoubtedly, many, no matter their condition, free or slave, were loyal to their homes, families or their honor to continue the work, to which, they had been assigned.

For those who cannot imagine anything other than a poor misguided slave or former slave supporting the Confederate army for personal or patriotic reasons, I believe that view is condescending and racist. It seems this issue polarizes people literally and figuratively. Either, legions of patriotic blacks are not being reported as part of a grand conspiracy or not one African-American could have thoughtfully and willingly supported the Confederate army. I believe "the truth", as so many like to use the term for their side of the argument, is somewhere in between.

God bless all Americans who fought and died in the American Civil War.

Jim Martin