How credible is this testimony? In reality? I don't know where the line is drawn in the story telling that changes them from fact or fiction or the other way around. We hear two tales of one instance. It does seem odd that a Black soldier isn't recognized as such but there may be a sound but just as odd reason. The Union wouldn't want to recognize a Black Confederate soldier if they thought they were fighting to free the slaves. Free Blacks or not, they were not what the Union boys thought they'd be shooting at. The South still was under the 'slave holder' way of life and some may not recognize Free Blacks or even Slaves who were with their owner because that would include them in the same catagory as the white's. Social stigma or Moral Dilemma? Whatever, could have been both.

All of us have been in the discussion on POW's and their treatment. Camp Chase was a real hot topic and an eye opener for many. As much as those on one side wish their story to be the most believable, we've got to figure the 'truth' is, as is often said, somewhere in the middle. Membership in some unit? Prisoner treatment? Volunteer, Conscript or Reject? There is quite a bit more than what one would consider 'gossip' or 'tale telling' on Blacks in Confederate units. Enough so that it cannot be ruled out they did exist and fire guns at the other side. Their 'enlistment status' is vague at best in most reported cases that I know of. Maybe they were just driving the wagon but when push comes to shove, and guns are firing at you, what are you going to do? That wagon master becomes a soldier in 30 seconds and that's a slow estimate. I'd also bet that wagon master turned soldier drew pay at the wagon master rate.

The reality of the actions by the Northern wardens or guards in their treatment of the prisoners would never show up in writing anywhere close to the harsh tales of the Northern soldiers held in Andersonville. Wirtz got what a lot of those in charge in the North should have gotten. At least he had a good excuse. Few even bother to find out that a number of Southern guards at Andersonville died there too. They were hungry and they were not immune to disease either.

So, we're back to, what do we want to believe? I think there were Black Confederates but I also think it was not in either sides best interest to keep that info in writing for the ages.

Pam