The General Ulysses Grants Union - Research Paper Example

The General Ulysses Grant’s Union Abstract The hotly contested issue, slavery, triggered the American Civil war. The Republican Party’s President Abraham Lincoln spearheaded the emancipation of the African American slaves held by the Southern states. The General Ulysses Grant’s Union army spearheaded the war that finally toppled the Confederate army. Many African Americans served as soldiers and spies for the Union army. Consequently, several African American soldiers received medal of honors for their bravery and gallantly during the war during the 1861 to 1865 time period. The Union leaders affirmed the influential contributions of the African Americans to turning the tide of war to favor the Union side. Further, the African Americans’ contributions made a huge impact on the lives of all African Americans starting from 1861 until today’s 21st century. The war focused on the possibility of forcing the Southern states’ white Americans to free their slaves. Many African American soldiers received their share of the Medal of Honor. The African Americans were granted freedom after the war. The African American slaves were happily discharged from their Southern White masters. The present day beneficiaries include Singer Mariah Carrey, President Obama, and L.A Lakers’ basketball star Kobe Bryant. Furthermore, there are many unanswered queries to be researched. One of the questions is: what would have happened if the Confederate leaders had won the Civil War? Second, do the current African American residents of the United States feel they are on equal status as the White Americans? Third, another research should answer the question: Do the African Americans have better fighting abilities compared to the White Americans during the American Civil War compared to the white Americans? To what extent was the participation of African Americans instrumental in the victory of the Union over the Confederacy from 1861 to 1865? I. Introduction The slavery issued triggered the American Civil war. The Republican Party’s President Abraham Lincoln spearheaded the political party’s ideology that all men should be treated equally, espousing the emancipation of the African American slaves. The Northern states espoused freeing the slaves. The Southern States opposed the freeing of the slaves. Both sides of the war used African Americans to help their causes. The General Ulysses Grant led the northern states’ Union army. General Robert Lee led the Southern states’ Confederate army. Both sides of the war experimented using African American soldiers and civilians in their war campaign. The experiments focused on determining whether the African Americans will play a significant role in winning the Civil war. Historical significance Further, the tour event is historically significant. The event centers on the contributions of the African Americans to the Union army’s cause. The Union army espoused freeing the African American slaves. The African American slaves stood to benefit from the war efforts. To ensure that the Union side won the war, most of the African Americans contributed their own diverse shares to the Union army’s war efforts. The tour delves on the specific heroic acts of many African American individuals. The focus of the research is on both African American soldiers and African American non-combatants. The non-combatants included the spies and those doing manual jobs for the Union army. The research question (RQ) is to determine the instrumentality of the African Americans’ participation in the Union army’s Civil War victory over the Confederate army from 1861 to 1865. Thesis: The African Americans played a vital role in helping the Union army win the 1861- 1865 American Civil war. Scope The scope of the research is the United States Civil War. The s research focused on the African American citizen’s contribution to the 1861 to 1865 Civil War period. The research did not include research on the African American soldiers’ or citizens’ contribution to wars outside the specified research scope, 1861 to 1865. The scope of the research only included the events related to the civil war. The majority of the research delved on the African Americans’ contribution to the Union army, not the Confederate army. Further, the time period includes the story of a famous African American female spy. During this time, Ms. Tubman received full military honors at her death in 1913. Tubman’s contributions to the Civil War efforts of the 1861 to 1865 time period included helping enslaved African American civilians escape from their white owners. During June, 1863, Tubman led an estimated 750 African American slaves along the Combahee river escape towards the awaiting Union Army lines in South Carolina. Tubman was instrumental in the destruction of the South Carolina Confederate army’s war weapons and war equipments. The Combahee escape act was very successful. All the escaping slaves were not captured or killed, due to the ingenuity of Tubman to orchestrate a safe escape plan1. A. Findings Just like in any conflict, quantity plays a vital role in turning the tide to favor the side having more contestants, combatants, or opponents. Based on this analysis, the entry of the African American soldiers in the 1861 to 1865 Civil War increased the Union army’s soldier strength. Initially, the Confederate army ordered the compulsory entry of their African American slaves to join the war on the side of the Confederate army. Imitating the Confederate army’s war strategy To level the playing field, the Union army decided to get the services of the African American citizens to help the Union army in whatever way they can. As expected, the White Americans initially felt that the African American citizens did not have the mental intellect and the capacity to fight against the opposing Confederate army. Likewise, the racial discrimination among the White Americans prevented the African American citizens from being treated as equally treated soldiers of the Union army. Fort Sumter On April 12, 1861, the Confederates attacked the Union forces in Fort Sumter. Several Southern states joined the Confederate army. The civil war lasted for four years. During the four- year battle, more than 598,000 people died. Thousands of African Americans died in the war. Some of the African Americans helped behind the lines. They served as spies for the Union army. The African Americans risked their lives as they threaded the dangers of the open fields to deliver important war information to the Union army. The African American spies would show the locations of the Confederate armies, the strength of the confederate armies in the locality, and the plans of the Confederate army2. Other African Americans served in the front lines. The United States Union army leadership was finally convinced to allow the African Americans to join the front lines. The union army observed that the Confederate army used African Americans in the civil war. Consequently, the Union army imitated the Confederate Army’s war strategy. The Union army sought the help of the African Americans to turn the tide of war to favor the Union army’s cause. The Confederate army’s use of African Americans in the war effort irked Frederick Douglass. Consequently, Douglass sought the help of freed Northern African Americans to help in the war. Thousands of liberated and runaway African Americans trouped to join the Union Army’s Front lines. The freed African American slaves eagerly placed their lives on the line as they uses arms to fight the attacking Confederate army3. Medal of Honor During the 1861 to 1865 United States civil war, 25 African Americans received the Medal of Honor for their significant contribution to helping the Union army win the war. William Carney, an African American was given the medal in 1900, several years after aiding the war in 1863. Robert Blake, another African American, was the first to receive the prestigious Medal of Honor for serving in the same civil war. Blake received the Medal of Honor in 1864, the year the civil war ended. A third African American, Andrew Jackson Smith, was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2001, several decades later serving in the same Civil war. Smith was honored for his significant 1864 civil war acts that led to helping the Union army’s winning the war4. President Abraham Lincoln’s legacy When United States President Abraham Lincoln won the United States elections, he espoused freeing the African Americans from bondage. In 1862, President Lincoln drafted the African Americans as part of the Union army. As expected, the African American soldiers received lower pay and benefits compared to the white Americans. Similarly the African American soldiers were placed under the leadership and command of white Americans. More than 201,000 African Americans joined the union army. An estimated 39,000 African American soldiers were killed during the 1861 -864 civil war. As the war progressed, United States President Abraham Lincoln issued the slave Emancipation Proclamation on the first day of the year 1863. Consequently, all African Americans were freed from their owners. The Civil war ended when the Confederate General Robert Lee surrendered to the Union Army General Ulysses Grant. Several days later, President Lincoln was felled by an assassin’s perfectly targeted bullet5. Port Hudson Battle During the 1863 period of the United States Civil War, the Union army attacked a long drawn battle at Port Hudson, Louisiana. The Union Army had six regiments composed of African Americans. The African American soldiers sided by side with the White Americans to ensure the Union Army would control Louisiana’s fortified Port Hudson. In Louisiana, the First, Second, and Third Louisiana Native Guard regiments were composed of African American soldiers. The army officers of the three regiments were African Americans. Captain P. Pinchback was promoted as one of the officers of the African American regiments on October 12, 1862. Captain Pinchback was told to manage the Second Louisiana Native Guards regiment. The Union army’s Major General Banks persuaded the African American soldiers, under Captain Pinchback’s command, to hold their ground against the encroaching Confederate army to pass the current severe test of bravery in the battlefield. The African American soldiers were led by the able African American leader, Captain Pinchback. Captain Pinchback’s African American soldiers suffered severely during the onslaught. However, they never gave up hope of winning the current battle6. African American Texas Regiment Between May and June, 1864, the 34th African American Regiment from Texas, was assigned to protect the Rapidan River and the James River. Both are in Virginia State. The regiment fought in the Battle of Cold Harbor during June 2 to 12 of the same year, 1864. During August 18 to August 21, 1864, the African American regiment helped the Union army maintain control over the Weldon Railroad. The same regiment was assigned to successfully protect Fort Sedgwick from falling into the hands of the encroaching Confederate army7. The above paragraph clearly shows that the African American soldiers contributed a significant part in helping the Union army win the war. The 34th African American regiment had shown that the African American can fight on the same skill level as the White Americans. The African American soldiers showed that they were instrumental in protecting the lives of the White Americans during each Civil War battle. The above discussion clearly shows that the African American soldiers proved that they had aided the White Americans overpower the Confederate army in the Southern area battles of the Civil War. The African American soldiers joined the White Americans as they fought in the long battles of the 1861-1865 Civil War. The freed and escaped African American citizens immediately did their best to pursue the immediate surrender of the Confederate Army. The African American soldiers were instrumental in protecting the nation’s waters. The African American soldiers held on to their protective stance, guarding the Rapida River. General Butler’s Recommendation Additionally, Union army general Butler informed the American Freedman Inquiry Commission that the African Americans were very much capable of delivering the quality of war service required during the war against the Confederate Army. The African Americans were trained to obey orders. As former slaves, the African Americans will eagerly obey the Union army leaders’ instructions to attack or defend one’s position against the advancing Confederate soldiers. Similarly, several high ranking Union officers affirmed the African American soldier’s immediate implementation of the superior officers’ instructions, without holding back8. Assaults on Confederate Positions Further, African American Union soldiers were strategically used to gain and increase Union war territory. Some of the African American soldiers were later assigned to protect Louisville, from the Confederate assaults. Other African American soldiers were sent to hold on to Nashville territory at all costs. Another group of African American soldiers were holed in to ensure the Union army’s control of the Kentucky Central railroads. A separate group of African American soldiers raided the Big Springs territory. Another African American regiment raided the Fort Jones territory. Other African American soldier battles cropped up in Glasgow, Harrodsburg, Taylorsville, and Smithfield. The Union army’s Major General Benjamin Butler commanded the 114th African American infantry and the 116th African American infantry9. 54th African American Regiment Furthermore, the 54th African American regiment had been immortalized as one of the most successful African American regiments of the 1861-1864 Civil War. James Gooding was an African American sailor. He enlisted in the 545h African American regiment to help the Union army win the war. After the 54th regiment was trained in Massachusetts’ Camp Meigs, the regiment was instructed to attack the Confederate stronghold. Consequently, Sergeant Gooding led the regiment’s attack on Fort Wagner. The fort was a Confederate stronghold. The Fort was strategically located along the Charleston, South Carolina harbor. As the 54th regiment attacked the better fortified Confederate army’s fortification, the regiment’s white leader was killed by a Confederate bullet. Seeing their union leader dead, the Union soldiers withdrew back towards the safer Union army lines. The African American soldiers did their best to extricate their fallen white leader, Colonel Robert Shaw, from the enemy’s line of fire. However, many of the African American soldiers were hit by the Confederate army’s volley of fire10. Flag -bearing Medal of Honor awardee Further, the African Americans soldiers gallantly showed they are brave enough to withstand the Confederate’s guns. The battle produced may African American heroes. One of the African American heroes of the Fort Wagner assault was William Carney, another African American. Because of Sergeant Gooding’s exemplary military achievements, he was promoted to the next higher rank, Corporal, on December 5, 1863. However, fate did not always smile favorably on Sergeant Gooding. Gooding was captured by the Confederate army, after losing the battle of Olustee Florida, in January of 1864. Gooding died in the Confederate Camp of Andersonville. Andersonville is located in Georgia11. In the same battle, William Carney, was instrumental in bolstering the bravery of both the white and African American soldiers attacking Fort Wagner. While the 54th regiment charged towards the more fortified Confederate fort, William Carney saw his leader, Colonel Shaw die from the Confederate bullet. Likewise, Carney saw his fellow African American, who was carrying the Union flag, towards the Confederate fort, killed. Carney immediately took the U.S. flag from his fallen flag bearer and stormed into the fort and planted the Union flag inside the Confederate fort. Carney could hear the sound of bullets passing between his comrades and the deeply entrenched defending Confederates. In the thick of night battle, Carney could not see where he was going in the thick of darkness. Carney’s fellow soldiers used the Union Flag, being carried by Carney as he continued to rush towards the Confederate defenders, as a landmark to guide them to move forward and plant the Union flag on top of Fort Wagner’s walls for all to see. Carney’s Heroism After realizing that the 54th regiment was no match against the Confederate defenders, a high ranking officer ordered the retreat from the Fort Wagner fort. Consequently, Carney pulled out the Union flag from the Confederate wall and brought the Union flag safely behind Union lines. During the entire flag bearing episode, Carney was hit three times by a bullet. However, Carney refused to fall done and give up the flag. A white New York soldier offered to help Carney carry the Union flag. Proudly refusing, Carney stated that only a soldier from the 54th regiment is authorized to carry the Union flag assigned to their unit. Carney was given the Medal of Honor in 1920 for his heroic act of carrying the Union flag during the thick battle sequences, putting his own life in grave danger12. Carney gave the fellow union soldiers the strong will and bravery needed to turn the war in the Union army’s favor. Prince Rivers, African American hero Further, Prince Rivers was born into slavery in South Carolina in 1824. Rivers worked as his master’s coachman. When the civil war broke out, Rivers store his master’s horse and escaped from his White Master. Rivers later joined the Union army. Rivers joined the African American regiment, 1st South Carolina Volunteers in 1862. Because of his loyalty, hard work, and intelligence, Colonel Thomas Wentworth Higginson, recommended that Rivers be promoted to lead a regiment of African American Union soldiers. Rivers’ natural ability to command respect from his African American soldiers persuaded Colonel Higginson to promote Rivers as commander of the Potomac. Rivers’ regiment defended Folly Island, South Carolina against any approaching Confederate unit13. Milliken Bend Battle Additionally, another group of African American soldiers contributed to the Union army’s winning the Civil War. A group of African American soldiers fought against the Confederate army last June 7, 1863. The battle occurred in Milliken’s Bend, Louisiana. The novice African American soldiers did not have enough expertise on how to handle or fire their newly received guns. Consequently, the African American soldiers engage the Confederate army using only the rifle’s knives to have a hand to hand battle. Backed by two other supporting African American regiments hiding nearby, the battle-weary African American soldiers were able to repulse the defending Confederate units. The war fused out with the Confederate army retreating to safer grounds, outside the reach of the brave and gallant African American soldiers14. 998 African American soldiers Further, the Louisiana battle included attacking the Confederate units holed up in the Mississippi river, near the vicinity of the Baton Rouge community. An estimated 998 African American soldiers joined the Louisiana battle. The African American soldiers belonged to the 1st as well as 3rd Louisiana Native Guards, composed mostly of African American soldiers. Observing the heroic deeds of the African American soldiers in the Louisiana campaigns, the White Union officer, Commanding General N. Banks, affirmed that the African American soldiers have the skill and military capacity to join the White Americans as effective and efficient soldiers of the Civil War15. Increasing demand for more African American soldiers The gallant and brave acts of the African American soldiers of the 54th regiment spearheaded the hiring of more African American soldiers to fight as Union Army soldiers. The successful performance of the African American soldiers of the regiment is the increasing of the hiring of new African American soldiers to 50,000 individuals. The African American soldiers will either be from the free African American citizens or the freed African American citizens. In 1865, an additional 186,000 African American soldiers were hired. As the Civil war ended, the African American soldiers had participated in an average 38 major civil war battles. During 1863, Henry Harmon reiterated that the average African American soldier had done an equal share with the White Americans in ensuring that the Union won the Civil war16. Harmon’s testimony Harmon insisted that the African American race gave its own number of dead citizens to help turn the Civil war tide in favor of the Union army. With more than twenty African American soldiers winning a Medal of Honor, history books will stand evidence to the bravery and loyalty of the African American soldier for the cause of the Union army to free the African American slaves from bondage. The successful stints of the African American soldiers in the Port Hudson battle, Fort Wagner assault, and the Milliken’s Bend, are only some of the many heroic acts of the African American to combine forces with the Union army’s desire to make all men equal in the United States17. African American Spies There are many famous names of African American spies. George Scott, a runaway African American slave, is one of those spies. Scott offered important information on the military strongholds of the Confederate army. Scott submitted the locations and future travels of the Confederate army to General Benjamin Butler. General Butler managed the Fort Monroe stronghold. The stronghold was located in Virginia. Further, John Scobell is another famous African American spy. Scobell sent vital information on the Confederate army’s food supplies and military supplies. Scobell also sent data on the morale of the Union’s enemy soldiers to the nearest Union officer. Scobell is best remembered for divulging the battle strategies of the Confederate army to the Union army18. Frederick Douglass, African American hero Additionally, Frederick Douglass acknowledged the vital contribution of the African American spies to helping the Union army overwhelm the Confederate army19. Another famous African American spy was Thomas McNiven, a baker by profession. Thomas would deliver bread to the Davis household. Upon reaching the household, Mary Bowser would send spy information to McNiven. McNiven would transfer the information to the Union army officers. McNiven informed his children at his deathbed that Mary Bowser was the source of hot and reliable information from the Davis household20. HarrietTubman, African American heroine Further, there were also famous female African American spies. The most famous spy was Harriet Tubman. She was called the African American Moses. She, Like Moses, brought the African American slaves from their homes to the safety of the Union army lines. Elizabeth Van Lew and Mary Bowser, African American slaves, established an effective spy network. The two female African American slaves setup the spy network within the Confederate army headquarters. Bowser served the family of the Confederate Leader, Jefferson Davies. Consequently, the two female spies gave vital and up to date spy information to the approaching Union army. The Davis family never suspected Bowser as the person who leaked secret information until after the war ended21. Female African American contributors to the Union army’s winning the war The role of the African American citizens included both the male gender and the female gender. The female gender serves as supporting members of the Union army. Supporting roles include cooking the food of the army soldiers. Supporting roles also include repair and other female jobs. Those who have training in the healthcare sciences could help as nurses or other healthcare professionals. One of the most famous nursing professionals is Harriet Tubman, who serves as nurse in the 1861-1865 Civil War. Further, Harriet Tubman continues to be classified as one of the most popular African American contributors to the Union army’s winning the Civil War. Tubman served as nurse during the war for three years. During this time, Tubman served as spy of the Union Army. Her job of transferring vital spy information to the Union army turned the tided in the South Carolina civil war battle. Tubman transmitted here valuable war information to the Union Army’s Colonel James Montgomery. Additionally, Colonel Montgomery used Tubman’s spy data to craft successful attacks on the Confederate strongholds along the South Carolina community. Colonel Montgomery was the leader of the African American regiment called 2nd South Carolina Volunteers. Tubman’s information helped Colonel Montgomery locate and control the Confederate Army’s ammunition depots as well as war supply storehouses. Tubman helped an estimated 399 escaped Combahee African American slaves joined the Union army’s United States Colored Troops regiment. The escaped Combahee African American women helped the Union army’s cause by keeping their families in a close relationship. The African American Combahee women escapees served the Union army as cooks, menial labor workers, laundresses, nurses, and other helpful wartime chores. After 30 years, the United States government finally granted Tubman monthly pension for her part in helping the Union win the civil war22. Sun Tzu’s Art of War. Sun Tzu, One of China’s greatest war strategist, the people should be changed to the anger state and give rewards to increase their desire to overpower the enemy. During the Civil War, the Union army espoused freeing the African American slaves from bondage. During the same war, the opposing Confederate army’s stand was to keep the African American slaves as lifetime properties of the Southern States’ slave owners. Further, President Abraham Lincoln joined the Republican political party in 1855. The party espoused eradicating slavery from the face of American culture23. With the picture of being led to their freedom, the African American slaves were encouraged to do their share to help the Union army win the war. The African American saw that their chains of bondage will be unlocked. Consequently, the African American slaves enthusiastically aided the Union army win the war. Some helped the Union army by acting as spies. Other African American slaves were excited to escape from their owners and join the Union army24. The Union army offices successfully implemented Lao Tzu’s art of war principle. Gettysburg battle Additionally, the African American soldiers contributed their share to winning the Gettysburg battle on July of 186325. The battle occurred during the ending part of Civil War. The Confederate army’s General Robert Lee was no match to the better equipped Union army’s General Ulysses. After the battle, President Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address. The address focuses on the unnecessary deaths on both sides of the war, including the deaths of the African American soldiers26. B: Conclusions The above secondary sources show the influence of the African Americans in the Civil war. Some African American soldiers died while fighting for the Union army. Other African Americans served as spies, sending vital information needed to outsmart the Confederate armies. The spies’ information increased the Union army’s war advantages. Many African American women helped the Union army by doing menial chores, nursing duties, and caring for the families left behind by the Union soldiers. Many African American soldiers received medal of honors for their bravery and gallantly during times of war, especially the flag-bearing Carney. Several African American regiments, such as the 54th Regiment, displayed extraordinary excellence and dedication to war duty during times of war. Consequently, Union leaders acknowledged the significant contribution of the African Americans to turning the tide of war to favor the Union army. Further, the African Americans contribution made an undeniable impact on the lives of all African Americans starting from 1861 until our present time. The African American soldiers felt proud to serve the Union army’s cause, especially those who received their share of the Medal of Honor. The African Americans were given their freedom. The African American slaves were soon released from their white owners’ chains. The African Americans were able to receive payment for their services. The African Americans were no longer forced against their will to work for the White American slave owners. As expected, many African Americans today benefit from their forefathers’ Civil War actions. The current day beneficiaries include actor Denzel Washington, singer Michael Jackson, singer Mariah Carrey, President Obama, and L.A Lakers’ basketball star Kobe Bryant. Furthermore, there are some unanswered questions that need further researched by future researchers. First, what would have happened if the Confederate had won the Civil War? Second, do the current African American citizens feel that all their demands of freedom being fully met? Third, another research should answer the question: Do the African Americans have better war skills compared to the white Americans? References: Burlingame, Michael. Inside Lincoln's White House: The Complete Civil War Diary. New York: University Press, 1999. Forbes, Ella. African American Women During the Civil War. New York: Routledge , 2012. Frank, Lisa. Women in the American Civil War. New York: ABC- CLIO, 2008. Gates, Henry. African American Lives. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004. Haskins, Jim. Black Stars of Civil War Times. New York: J. Wiley & Sons , 2003. Hatedt, Glenn. Spies, Wiretaps, Secret Organizations. New York: ABC CLIO, 2010. Nolen, Claude. African American Southerners in Slavery, Civil War and Reconstruction. New York: McFarland , 2005. Oberle, Lora. Abraham Lincoln. New York: Capstone , 2002. Reef, Catherine. African Americans in the Military. New York: Infobase, 2010. Reid, Brian. Themese of the American Civil War. New York: Taylor & Francis , 2010. Smith, Robert. African Americans. New York: Teacher Created Resources, 2011. Sutherland, Jonathan. African Americans at War. New York: ABC CLIO, 2004. Tzu, Sun. The Art of War. Campbell: Fastpencil Press, 2010. Vierow, Wendy, The Battle of Gettysburg: The Civil War’s Biggest Battle. New York: Rosen, 2004. Walbridge, Mike. African-American Heroes of the Civil War. New York: Walch Press, 2000. Willbanks, James. America's Heroes: Medal of Honor Recipients of the Civil War. New York: ABC CLIO, 2011. Read More