I did not call you "stupid". I called Alan a "real scholar", because he is recognized by a host of professional historians and authors, as such.

I have not said anything, for which I should apologize. Your misuse of this board and the bullying and insults of its participants deserves an apology.

The absence of information can also be a source, as well. If Alan has read the records and documents in his posting and found no record of Confederate military organizations referencing or including black Confederate units, that is a source.

I don't know what African-American participation in the Civil War has to do with your heritage or Southern heritage, in general. If you are trying to completely eliminate the institution of slavery as a reason for the Civil War or to justify its existence as a "good thing" because African-Americans may have been noticed in Confederate camps or occasionally, on the Southern-side of the battlefield, I don't know how I can debate you. There are certain things that we accept as unsupportable and indefensible and I will not engage in the justification of enslaving other human beings or in creating a false or contorted history to support my arguments.

George, as a Southerner and one who strongly defends the constitutional right of the South to secede. As one who does not attempt to impose modern morality or law on people of a previous time. As one who looks for a better understanding of the fears and reasoning of Southerners who chose war and independence, rather than, subjugation to a powerful central government and a crushing economic loss of legal property. Please do not pursue this issue. Perpetuation of this difficult if not impossible position, undermines and weakens clearer and more responsible debate, as those who attempt to promote a black "ghost army" of Dixie-singing African-Americans is viewed by most people as a position of extremists and even racism. I am not accusing you of this, but many people feel this way and no serious discussion can result, when the starting point is blacks in gray.

Jim