The Untold History of the Black Civil War Soldier

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has partnered with the American Civil War Museum to explore the lives and experiences of African Americans who joined and were involved in the Civil War effort. The talk on April 5 featured Dr. Deborah Willis and her new book, The Black Civil War Soldier: A Visual History of Conflict and Citizenship. 

Willis began the lecture by explaining her affinity with the untold stories of African Americans during the war. She described how the materials to recreate the stories of these people were in existence but scattered, saying most of her time was dedicated to tracking down specific photographs and their background. She said, “I was interested in restructuring and recovering images and stories, letters and books, diaries and just moments that are often overlooked in this broader history.”

Willis’ main focus was the Black Civil War soldier and why these men were so committed to the cause of the Civil War, regardless of whether they fought for the Union or Confederacy. But as described by Willis, their choice was not directly linked to the war, but rather the promise of freedom in exchange for fighting bodies. Slaves took up the cause often thinking they would earn their way out of slavery, although this wasn’t always the case. 

Willis showed photographs of Black soldiers in full uniform and recounted stories of slaves or children of slaves joining the war effort demonstrating that “The choice to fight for their freedom was an important one.”

The participation of African Americans in the Civil War added to the propaganda surrounding the war and also to the outcome. Photos and stories of advertisements and recruitments were displayed as Willis described the attitude of Black involvement in the war. In many ways, it led to the end of the Civil War and slavery. Images of Black soldiers fighting alongside white men helped sway opinions and bring the slavery to the bottom of the moral pile. 

The photographic evidence of the role African Americans played in the Civil War speaks volumes about how much slaves and former slaves wanted freedom and wanted to participate. Willis’ book highlights these roles and brings together photos from all over the U.S. during that time, bringing new understanding to how important to the effort Black soldiers, nurses, and messengers were. 

“The Civil War was four years, but these images are alive today for many people, and artists who create work to ask questions [about],” said Willis.