White USCT Officers "Rising Above the Storm of Prejudice"

The Civil War can be viewed through the lens of distinct groups who shared common experiences during uncommon times. For example, White Union soldiers, Confederate soldiers, Navy men, woman nurses, and Black soldiers in the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT). I was reminded of another group today: White officers of the USCT. One of those men, Maj. Edwin M. Main of the 3rd U.S. Colored Cavalry, discussed the role of white officers in 1863. Here's his perspective.
"Life on the Civil War Research Trail" is hosted by Ronald S. Coddington, Editor and Publisher of Military Images magazine. Learn more about our mission to showcase, interpret and preserve Civil War portrait photography at militaryimagesmagazine.com and shopmilitaryimages.com.
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[@dresqueda]

Great topic for a book.

[@oldgeezerproductions]

Many years ago I (and my horse) was into Union Cavalry reenactment. I was somewhat surprised at how few black Americans were re-enactors and how very few black spectators there were in the crowds that came out to see us. Of course, I could understand how painful it must have been for them to see modern, living men openly and proudly wearing Confederate uniforms and "fighting" under the Confederate flag (AKA, the "Southern Swastika"). At one re-enactment there was a group of black soldiers and I can't tell you how glad I was to see them, how proud I was to see them and to be wearing the same uniform. At the big dinner in the barn afterwards, I butted my way in and sat down at their table. I found that I wasn't particularly welcome as I had not earned my right to sit with them. For all the dues that I have paid for all the things in my life, I hadn't paid those costly dues. I understood and apologized for butting in without an invitation.

[@owensomers8572]

In his recollection, "Army Life in a Black Regiment", Thomas Wentworth Higginson discusses in great detail the effort to reduce the monthly pay of colored soldiers to $10, when the rate for other soldiers was $13. Col Higginson expresses his regret that he and the majority of his fellow officers didn't join a Major of the Regiment who joined the troops in refusing to accept pay in protest of the $10. The book is a fascinating history that profoundly shaped my understanding of the Civil War.

[@mmcleod8148]

Thank you for your research and for sharing it.

[@SergioMPedro]

Ron, I always enjoy these stories and the way you bring them to us.

[@Paulftate]

my blood is red .... crazy for me to think that I'm better than anyone in the eyes of the lord

[@jason60chev]

My maternal Great-Grandfather was Breveted 2nd Lt. and assigned to the 6th USCT, near Wilmington, NC. He had previously been assigned to the Union Light Guard ,in Washington, DC, from1863-1865. 2ndLt Marshall D. Ellis. I have a couple of documents but I would like to learn more about him. Wish I knew what his thoughts were about being assigned to a colored regt. He died in 1909 and is in Arlington.

[@toddgreve6587]

Ron, have you done any writing about black Confederates? Historians estimate around 28,000 blacks served in the southern armed forces. I saw old footage of a unit (?) of black vets at a reunion in the 1920s (?).

[@conradnelson5283]

Too bad that lesson learned had to be relearned in World war one and then again in World War II.

[@mattwilliams3260]

Sadly this channel has turned into a DEI project.