Were there integrated units in the Civil War?

[@HistoricWrath]

So proud to be a descendant of an 11th KS veteran! Thanks so much for these fantastic videos about a fascinating regiment!

[@11thovc]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@TLDsProductions]

Great video! I had to Google what an Under Cook was... So what I found was interesting (to me at least). On September 28 1863 the Union Army established this new rank. The Under Cook (of African Decent) were enlisted for each Cook. The Under Cooks were treated in all ways like other soldiers, but only paid $10 per month, receiving the same pay as a private in the USCT (United States Colored Troops). They were to be carried on the roster underneath the privates. It seem like they were at a lower rank than the privates. They were in fact part of the Union Army and did serve directly with White Units, just in the supporting role in the kitchen/mess area. Though not actually "integrated" in the sense most people mean and you were meaning in this video. So, based on my military expereince in the modern army, any able bodied person can and does fill in as needed (and other duties as assigned). So, it s very likely he had supported the other troopers either because he had to (ordered) or more likely (in my opinion) volunteered as an excuse to break up the monotonous tasks of daily life in the kitchen...

[@fathead8933]

There's only 2 Infantry MOS's but there is 6 that we'll call brother currently. It's because in a combat unit everyone is a rifleman. My supply NCO had to bring us supplies. My NBC NCO was part of the commander's entourage. I lived with my medic on deployment and my FO was wounded right alongside my squad leader. 3 of those are non combat roles. The second he took fire and didn't run, he never had an issue with anyone in the unit ever again. The leadership culture undoubtedly prevented any racial dispute issues. I believe he was just "another guy" to them, so had the ability to take a position on a patrol. It's also entirely possible that his cooking was garbage and there was a white soldier that was a cavalryman that could cook better so they changed jobs. lol

[@itsapittie]

My experience in combat was that you pretty quickly put aside prejudices when your life is on the line. If the guy can fight and will have your back when things get festive, you'll overlook things like race.

[@itsapittie]

That's fascinating! I would never have guessed it. I suppose if he was seen by the other soldiers as competent and capable, they may have decided the usual conventions could be put aside under exigent circumstances.

[@jon9021]

Excellent video well done!

[@11thovc]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.

[@davidmeffe715]

As a history fan from the American Southwest, I'm a little disappointed that you didn't delve into the integration of the Nueva Mexicanos into the American military within the California Column or New Mexican Volunteers which admittedly was not a massive portion of the Civil War, but still is an integration that would not normally happen during that era. The New Mexican Volunteers later becoming some of the backbone soldiers in the New Mexican and Arizona Territories during several of the "Indian Wars" under the Department of New Mexico. I only bring this up because of the click-baitey title.

[@11thovc]

@davidmeffe715, You bet! Unfortunately, this video really was about the random rabbit trail we found with the Descriptive Roll of the 11th KS. So that is what we focused on with this video. But you are right to point out that there are many other examples of similar situations! Thanks for watching!

[@elliottbaker201]

Yes, both sides, not just white and black too

[@soccerchamp0511]

While I appreciate bringing to light this one man's experience because it's great to hear these types of personal stories, the title was most definitely clickbait. You spent way too much time talking going into detail about the battles this man was in instead of staying on topic and looking at other examples. It would be better to call it something like, "Integration in the 11th Kansas Cavalry?". Also, I'm curious about the way his name was written on the roll. It looks like his name would actually be Craven Harvey, not Harvey Craven. If you look at the other names above his you can see they were being listed as last name first with a comma to indicate this, and his name was also written this way. #116 Edward Shepherd shown as Shepherd, Edward. #115 George W. Crane shown as Crane, George W. #114 Calvin W. Goss show as Goss, Calvin W. And so on.

[@Emperor54mm]

So who wrote the note?

[@Elk6903]

Still don’t know for sure. We are still looking into it!

[@Renfield37]

do you think maybe harvey craven is the one who could have written that note.. idk but it was a thought i had.. maybe maybe not

[@11thovc]

Renfield37, Great thought, but we do know that he was one of the ones that made it back to the fort. We still have no idea who wrote that note. Still looking into it.

[@jill-ti7oe]

👍

[@11thovc]

Thanks for watching!

[@jill-ti7oe]

@@11thovc Ride hard and read hard, affable presenters.