In fact, though racist according to our times, I believe I insult the memory of my Southern ancestors, who would have seen African-American participation in combat roles in the Confederate army as abhorrent.

Jim,
I don't see why the issue of Black Confederates is so important for some folks. The fact is there were a large number of black soldiers under arms for the United States. However even these men were not used that effectively in combat situations in the main. As far as I know, only Pap Thomas made a real effective use of black combat personnel....Sherman and Grant had no high regard for their fighting abilities.
Cump.