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

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