“REBEL NEGRO PICKETS.”

“So much has been said about the wickedness of using the negroes on our side in the present war, that we have thought it worth while to reproduce on this page a sketch sent us from Fredericksburg by our artist, Mr. Theodore R. Davis, which is a faithful representation of what was seen by one of our officers through his field-glass, while on outpost duty at that place. As the picture shows, it represents two full-blooded negroes, fully armed, and serving as pickets in the rebel army. It has long been known to military men that the insurgents affect no scruples about the employment of their slaves in any capacity in which they may be found useful. Yet there are people here at the North who affect to be horrified at the enrollment of negroes into regiments. Let us hope that the President will not be deterred by any squeamish scruples of the kind from garrisoning the Southern forts with fighting men of any color that can be obtained. “

So what we are talking about is a representation of something someone seems to have seen through their field glasses across the Rappahannock River in the dead of winter. Davis draws what the officer describes, and no more. Now, if African American Confederates were doing picket duty, then why don't we find that described in the letters and diaries left by Confederate officers and soldiers? Why, if African American Confederates were doing military service, did Robert E. Lee not bring up that point when he argued for using slaves a s soldiers?

Why, in short, would Confederate soldiers engage in such a massive cover-up? Why did they lie to their fellow white southerners? Why did Robert E. Lee lie to all those people who worship him?

Answers, please, from advocates of the black Confederates position.

This was not the only time this was reported. See:

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_...

BTW, anyone who actually takes the time to read the entire issue knows that this image was from after the battle of Fredericksburg.

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civi...

Black Confederate troops are a fact and not fiction….

“REBEL NEGRO PICKETS.”

“So much has been said about the wickedness of using the negroes on our side in the present war, that we have thought it. worth while to reproduce on this page a sketch sent us from Fredericksburg by our artist, Mr. Theodore R. Davis, which is a faithful representation of what was seen by one of our officers through his field-glass, while on outpost duty at that place. As the picture shows, it represents two full-blooded negroes, fully armed, and serving as pickets in the rebel army. It has long been known to military men that the insurgents affect no scruples about the employment of their slaves in any capacity in which they may be found useful. Yet there are people here at the North who affect to be horrified at the enrollment of negroes into regiments. Let us hope that the President will not be deterred by any squeamish scruples of the kind from garrisoning the Southern forts with fighting men of any color that can be obtained. “

So what we are talking about is a representation of something someone seems to have seen through their field glasses across the Rappahannock River in the dead of winter. Davis draws what the officer describes, and no more. Now, if African American Confederates were doing picket duty, then why don't we find that described in the letters and diaries left by Confederate officers and soldiers? Why, if African American Confederates were doing military service, did Robert E. Lee not bring up that point when he argued for using slaves a s soldiers?

Why, in short, would Confederate soldiers engage in such a massive cover-up? Why did they lie to their fellow white southerners? Why did Robert E. Lee lie to all those people who worship him?

Answers, please, from advocates of the black Confederates position.

This was not the only time this was reported. See:

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_...

BTW, anyone who actually takes the time to read the entire issue knows that this image was from after the battle of Fredericksburg.

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civi...

Black Confederate troops are a fact and not fiction….

The mythology of Black Confederates has been perpetuated for a great deal longer than the beginning of the current Presidents administration. Kevin has several posts on the subject that predate Mr. Obamas presence on the national political scene as a viable candidate for the Presidency. It might be a perceived chagrin at having a Black man as President that makes it seem more prevalent in some communities and among certain groups that have otherwise ignored this historical debate up to this point. Among historians of this era, however, this is an ongoing debate that the historical record just doesnt support in any substantial manner.

This is an attempt to rewrite, or deny, history.

History has already pulled out of the station and the devotees of this book can wave it in the air as they race down the tracks; I dont think its going to make any difference.

And while Im at it, someone should be asking why so many wealthy white boys needed Black body servants to serve their every need while in the army.

By the way, I am white, but disgusted by the Lost Cause propaganda and books like Black Confederates. I could hardly believe it when I found this site — someone is actually trying to present an accurate view of Civil War history.

I think the author could do better by spending some constructive time reading period diaries and letters because it’s apparent to me that none were consulted.

Fiction as history; that’s all this book is.