In a message dated 2/26/03 4:51:42 PM Eastern Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes: > Confederate military commanders sought to mitigate by mobilizing labor > battalions of slaves in order to construct fortifications and > entrenchments. Thus, slaves were in fact military assets of the > Confederate government don't forget the South also had blacks fighting in the Army...some willingly and some just when because their masters when.......but as you said the majority were used as construction labors, teamsters and support personal for the Army..still I think this is an overlooked area in history...I guess in part because it doesn't fit the PC story Bill Buser To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html