Unveiling Civil War Injustices with Untold Stories

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Table of Contents

Introduction
African American Struggle for Civil Rights
Mothers of the Northern Black Soldiers to the President
Brother’s Love
The Original Southerners
Conclusion
References

Introduction

The historical contexts mainly represent letters by Africans or African Americans articulating their grievances to the president. The central theme of these events is the inequality between whites and people of other colors. To ensure their desires were met, the people of color united as volunteers in writing the letters. Unity is also evident in the African American protections against inequality. The people of color served the colonial government to the best of their ability, yet they were treated mercilessly.

African American Struggle for Civil Rights

James Hernly Gooding and other African American volunteers wrote one of the inspiring letters. The letter was written to President Lincoln outlining how black men had been refused on many occasions. The good behavior of the blacks is also evident, including the obedience and patience of the soldiers (Morris and Lincoln 1). The blacks argued that the only thing that they did not have was a lighter complexion and a better education. The letter urged the president to consider their excellent work as soldiers. James and the volunteers were pleading for the African Americans to be paid as American soldiers. The letter articulates blacks’ rejection despite their handwork to serve their country.

Mothers of the Northern Black Soldiers to the President

The mothers of the northern black soldier wrote to the president arguing how their black sons were maltreated, unlike the white. The woman urged that it is essential for the white color people to also fight for their country (Buffalo 1). Lincoln failed to act according to the women’s expectation of saving their sons, who were enslaved. The bitterness from the women can be seen from their concern about who made the law of a man owning another man. The blacks suffered for a long time, evident from the fathers and their sons receiving lousy treatment in their soldierly duties. Generally, the letter from the northern mother is written to Lincoln to argue with him to ensure that the men of color are fairly treated.

Brother’s Love

Another interesting historical context is one of the brothers who used to communicate through letters during their stay in a foreign country. The brothers wrote to their parents, updating them on the situation in the country. For instance, Sam wrote a letter to his father, to which his brother added the second part outlining their experience. It is evident that John was not in good health; he was suffering from flu and diarrhea. However, the brothers seem to enjoy the new clothes they acquired in the county (Mansfield 58). Sam also wrote a letter about his first experience on the battlefield and gave his idea to the letter written by Cyrus. The brothers and other boys faced hardship on the battlefield to the point that some even lost their lives. The letters benefit the brothers by communicating their location and informing their families about their health. Sam and John had earlier parted, but later, John wrote to his family telling them that he had found Sam.

John made it through the war unscathed and eventually became sheriff of Limestone County, with Robert serving as his deputy. In 1873, as the reconstruction era ended, he and Robert again found themselves in a position where they needed to resort to violence to protect fundamental freedoms. Sam, the oldest brother, died at seventy-four in Fort Worth, Texas, where his descendants still reside today (Mansfield 69). Cyrus stayed with the Eighth Texas Cavalry; his letters include vivid accounts of battles, including the one at Murfreesboro.

The Original Southerners

From the original Southerners, the Civil War, American Indians, and Confederate memory are discussed. Southerners’ and Americans’ habitual lamenting of forgotten pasts and lost causes adds poignancy to the study of American Indian history (Malinda, 1). American Indians were the first to settle in the Lumbee community before the concept of “the South” was even conceived (Malinda, 2). Still, some Americans, especially those in the South, openly lament the erasure or neglect of their histories while questioning our right to do the same as Lumbee’s. Instead, they look at the well-known history in fragments and argue that the American Indians were not who they claimed to be, that they do not have a past, and that they were not relevant to US history.

Ironically, non-Indigenous Americans live on Indigenous land at all times yet are excluded from the history and remembrance of the Civil War, one of the most critical conversations in the South. In reality, people like Robert E. Lee are not native to the United States, and every colonial authority has disputed the sovereignty of Indigenous countries.

Conclusion

In summary, the journals are about blacks suffering on the battlefield. The death of men of color is evident from the historical context. In all the events mentioned above, it can be concluded that people of color were never treated equally to white people. Some actions showing inequality include failure to pay the black soldiers like the whites and enslaving the black people. Generally, the journals outline different occasions that black people suffered at the hands of the white government and the appropriate measures they took to liberate themselves.

References

Buffalo. “Mother of a Northern Black Soldier to the President.” The University of Maryland, 1863, Web.

Malinda, Lowery. “The Original Southerners: American Indians, the Civil War, and Confederate Memory.” Southern Cultures, 2019, Web.

Mansfield, Jennifer S. “Yours Fraternally until Death:” The Civil War Letters of the Brothers Love.” East Texas Historical Journal 38.1 (2000): 12. Web.

Morris Island, S. C., and Abraham Lincoln. “Soldier James Henry Gooding Protests Unequal Pay for Black Soldiers.” 1863. Web.

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