The Families’ Civil War: Black Soldiers and the Fight for Racial Justice

243 Pages·2022·5.09 MB·English

by  Holly A. Pinheiro Jr.

The Families’ Civil War
SerieS editorS
Stephen Berry Amy Murrell Taylor
University of Georgia University of Kentucky
AdviSory BoArd
Edward L. Ayers James Marten
University of Richmond Marquette University
Catherine Clinton Scott Nelson
University of Texas at San Antonio University of Georgia
J. Matthew Gallman Daniel E. Sutherland
University of Florida University of Arkansas
Elizabeth Leonard Elizabeth Varon
Colby College University of Virginia
The Families’ Civil War
Black Soldiers and
the Fight for Racial Justice
holly a. pinheiro jr.
The University of Georgia Press Athens
© 2022 by the University of Georgia Press
Athens, Georgia 30602
www.ugapress.org
All rights reserved
Set in 9.75/13.5 Baskerville 10 Pro Regular
by Kaelin Chappell Broaddus
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available from popular e-b ook vendors.
Printed digitally
Library of Congress Cataloging-i n-P ublication Data
Names: Pinheiro Jr., Holly A., 1983– author.
Title: The families’ civil war : black soldiers and the fight for racial justice / Holly A.
Pinheiro Jr.
Other titles: Black soldiers and the fight for racial justice
Description: Athens : The University of Georgia Press, [2022] | Series: Uncivil wars |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: lccn 2021052512 | iSBn 9780820361956 (hardback) | iSBn 9780820361963
(paperback) | iSBn 9780820361970 (ebook)
Subjects: lcSh: Philadelphia (Pa.)—History—Civil War, 1861–1865—Social aspects. | African
American soldiers—Pennsylvania—Philadelphia—History—19th century. | African
American families—Pennsylvania—Philadelphia—Social conditions—19th century. |
African American soldiers—Family relationships—History—19th century. | United States.
Army. Colored Infantry Regiment, 3rd (1863–1865) | United States. Army. Colored
Infantry Regiment, 6th (1863–1865) | United States. Army. Colored Infantry Regiment,
8th (1863–1865) | Free African Americans—Pennsylvania—Philadelphia—Social
conditions—19th century. | Philadelphia (Pa.)—Race relations—History—19th century. |
United States—History—Civil War, 1861–1865—Participation, African American.
Classification: lcc f158.44 .p85 2022 | ddc 305.8009748/1109034—dc23/eng/20211103
lc record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021052512
To all of the families of USCT soldiers

Contents
AcknowledgmentS ix
introduction 1
chApter 1
The African American Family in the Free North 13
chApter 2
The United States Needs African American Men 34
chApter 3
The Idealism versus the Realism of Military Service 52
chApter 4
Familial Hardships during the Civil War 73
chApter 5
Reconstructing the Northern African American Family 88
chApter 6
USCT Families in an Industrializing Nation 115
epilogue 143
Appendix i
Methodology 147
Appendix ii
Philadelphian-B orn United States Colored
Infantry (USCI) Soldiers 150
noteS 157
index 217

Acknowledgments
First and foremost, I want to give all glory to Jesus Christ. Noth-
ing in my life, including this book, would be possible without you. I
sincerely thank you for your sacrifice, love, and grace you have shown
me over the years. Through the joys and hardships, I have always felt
your support. You have always been and will always be there. I am for-
ever grateful that you continue to shine your light on me.
To my family, it would honestly take an entire book to properly
thank everyone, so please accept this portion as an example of my grat-
itude. In terms of coming to history, I remember my uncles—Darrell
and Stephen—strongly encouraged me to learn about African American
history at a young age. Furthermore, I owe my uncle Darrell everything
it took to finance my undergraduate education when I was depressed
and doubted my future. I will never forget the advice and time you gave
me. Meanwhile, randomly interjecting Glory into conversations with
my uncle Peter will never get old. I am indebted to my siblings for how
they inspire me, and it is a joy to see how we have grown even closer as
adults. I hope that seeing this book come to fruition brings the same
excitement and tears of fun (like when I called my grandmother) that
we all shared when I broke the news that I received my doctorate.
Arguably, the most important family member is my mother. You
have, without a doubt, been influential to my life in more ways than I
can document. You have always supported my dreams and challenged
me to reach my goals. Thank you for supporting my thirst for knowl-
edge and reading with the many trips to local libraries and bookstores.
Thank you for nurturing my inquisitive nature and for tolerating my
“unique” personality. You have been there for me through the lowest
and highest points of my life, and I am honored that you continue to
believe in me even when I do not believe in myself. I also want to thank