Muster Roll #1269 for Abram Vroman, Civil War, c. 1864
Suggested Teaching Instructions
Contrary to popular belief, African Americans had a substantial military history prior to the Civil War. During the Revolutionary War, Crispus Attucks, an African American, was the first casualty at the Boston Massacre. During the Battle of Bunker Hill, African Americans fought unsegregated among fellow Patriots. During the Battle of Rhode Island, African Americans proved their valor again. African Americans demonstrated skill and aptitude during the War of 1812, when the future general U.S. Grant gloriously praised the African American troops.
However, due to social animosity and blame during the Civil War, it took nearly half the war to get any African American Regiment organized. The first record of African American participation was in Cincinnati in 1862. Here, African American volunteers - unarmed, unpaid, and not in uniform - fortified the riverfront in protection against Morgan’s Raiders. In August 1862, the first official African American regiment was formed, the 1st Louisiana Native Guards, also known as Corps D’Afrique. More states enlisted eager African American soldiers, including New York and Massachusetts.
The Battle of Fredericksburg was also called the Battle of the Crater. It lasted one fateful day, July 30, 1864. The 31st New York was part of an All-Colored Division that included nine different regiments. At first, this division was selected to lead the assault at Petersburg. But at the last minute, its orders were altered; it was to go in last. The battle proved disastrous for federal troops. In spite of this, the division charged heroically and suffered massive losses. The 31st Regiment lost 135 men, while the total division lost 1,327 men.
In total, there were 166 different all-African American regiments. These included heavy artillery regiments, cavalry, infantry, and an engineer’s corps. Of these regiments, sixty were sent to battle. There were 178,975 enlisted African American troops; of these 36,000 died fighting for freedom.