Browse Items (18 total)

Civil War artists capitalized on the popularity of the black Confederate myth. In the Grim Harvest of War, Bradley Schmehl features a “black Confederate” cradling a Confederate officer as Stonewall Jackson looks over the battlefield.

Article about the history of Confederate camp slaves and the myth of the black Confederate soldier.

Journal article on the myth of the black Confederate soldier

co-authored article with Myra Chandler Sampson about Silas Chandler and the myth of the black Confederate soldier.

Few people who lived during the war years were confused about the roles that enslaved people played in the Confederate army. They performed a wide range of roles, but they were not remembered as having served as soldiers. In this scene, camp slaves…

Andrew and Silas Chandler sit for a photograph some time between 1861 and 1863.

The image of the loyal camp slave was a popular feature in soldiers’ memoirs as well as in artwork. In this peaceful scene, Confederate general “Stonewall” Jackson leads a religious service that includes his camp slave to his right.

Depiction of enslaved people working on Confederate defenses on James Island, near Charleston, South Carolina in 1863

Camp slaves performed vital functions for their masters in camp, on the march, and on the battlefield. They also provided entertainment, as depicted in this 1862 drawing by Frank Vizetelly.

Lieutenant J. Wallace Comer of the 57th Alabama along with his camp slave, identified only as Burrell. Like other camp slaves, Burrell may have been outfitted in a uniform by his master or may have paid for it with money earned in camp.