last year I heard a paper at the Council on America's Military Past (CAMP) Conference that estimated as many as 300,000 blacks served in the Confederate Army.  Many of these were still enslaved at the time of service, but many were also free.  when the state of Louisiana seceeded from the union, so many colored men turned out to be mustered into service that the state govt. had to declare a moratorium on accepting blacks into army service.  

Ray Ezell, RPA



----- Original Message ----
From: Anita Wills <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 2:06:19 PM
Subject: [VA-HIST] Confederates of Color

I recently discovered a relative from Stapleton Virginia, who served on the Confederate side of the Civil War. This relative, William Henry Pinn was born in Stapleton Virginia, and is connected through my (Native), Amherst County Pinn line. When asked who was his master before the Civil War, he stated that he was, "Born Free." He stated that he was a Teamster serving on a freight boat, Cooper, under Cap't Jack Purcell. He states that others who served with him were; Sam Purcell, Steersmen; Ford Bowles, Steersmen; John Sparrow, Cook and bowsman; John Harris, Teamster. When William Henry Pinn filled this application out, he was livng in Eagle Rock (Botetourt County). 

Anita 




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