A new meme is making the rounds supposedly showing a charge by a unit of “Black Confederates.” The meme notes that on March 13, 1865 the Confederacy approved the very limited enlistment of Blacks in its armies. Like many Civil War social media memes, this one has led some folks to conclusions exactly opposite to that the original artist intended to make. Contrary to what some may think, the illustration is not intended to show actual Black Confederates in action. It is rather a satire of the whole idea that a Black Confederate unit could even exist.
The words of the meme obscure important text in the original illustration. Here is the illustration as it originally appeared:
In this unaltered illustration, the unarmed Black Confederates are not charging the union lines. They are taking the chance to escape to the Union side, being welcomed by a member of the United States Colored Troops. The Black men are shouting that they are now free and hurrahing for Abe Lincoln.
The illustration first appeared in the November 5, 1864 issue of the New York-based Harpers Weekly.So satire of 1864 misinterpreted as proof of an integrated Confederate army in 2022.
You might be interested in my discussion of Pat Cleburne’s Black Confederate proposal.
Wonderful!! You sound like an Irishman… And this blog is going to be great.
Thanks Gene. My mother was born in Ireland.
My mother’s, mother’s, father was William Young, whose people were from Omagh, Northern Ireland. On my father’s side, they were Briordys from Cavan, CO., about 30 miles south of Omagh, in the Irish Republic. I wonder if we are related.
Great post, BTW. Anything exposing Lost Cause BS is appreciated.
Thanks. My Irish relatives are Mulligans, and Bradys. My Young name come from my German grandfather.