BLACKS and the Siege of Petersburg

Although there had been numerous "colored" troops in the United States, their use was limited primarily to forces in the Union Army. However, as the war was drawing to a close during 1864-1865, there came a time, during the siege of Petersburg, that the South was considering their use.

Strategically, Petersburg was a crucial site for the Southern Armies to defend, since the town was the center of critical railroad connections. General Lee, commanding the Southern forces knew the value of the town. If Petersburg fell, Richmond was doomed. The supply and armament advantage went to the Union forces, which were well supplied, thanks to Union Engineers who had run a supply train right behind the Union front.

Concurrently, the Confederate forces were going hungry and were suffering a shortage in ammunition. Lee wrote at one point "If some change is not made and the commissary department reorganized I apprehend dire results. The physical strength of the men, if their courage survives must fail under this treatment."

Following the Confiscation Act of 1863, more than 180,000 Negroes became soldiers in the Union Army, and more than 134,000 of them were from the Southern States. These black troops were segregated into units led by white officers. These black soldiers were formed into 166 regiments and fought almost 500 battles, and also earned 23 Congressional Medals of Honor.