Border States:
African Americans from the border states, such as Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky, and Missouri, had a long history of resistance against slavery and were among the first to join the Union Army. Maryland and Kentucky were particularly important sources of African American recruits, with thousands of men volunteering for service.
Deep South:
Despite facing harsh conditions and the threat of reprisals, African Americans from the Deep South states, such as Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, also joined the Union Army in significant numbers. The majority of these recruits were enslaved individuals who escaped or were recruited by Union forces during military campaigns.
North:
African American communities in the North, particularly in states such as New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, also contributed a large number of soldiers to the Union Army. Many of these individuals had been free for generations or had recently gained freedom through emancipation or the Underground Railroad.
Here are some specific numbers and details regarding the contributions of African Americans to the Union Army from each region:
- Border States:
- Maryland: Over 8,700 African American soldiers
- Kentucky: Approximately 7,000 African American soldiers
- Delaware: Over 1,500 African American soldiers
- Missouri: More than 10,000 African American soldiers
- Deep South:
- Virginia: Over 5,000 African American soldiers
- North Carolina: More than 5,000 African American soldiers
- South Carolina: Approximately 5,000 African American soldiers
- Georgia: Over 4,000 African American soldiers
- North:
- New York: Over 17,000 African American soldiers
- Pennsylvania: Approximately 9,000 African American soldiers
- Massachusetts: More than 5,000 African American soldiers
In total, over 186,000 African American men served in the Union Army during the Civil War. They made up roughly 10% of the Union forces and played a crucial role in the war effort. Their service demonstrated their commitment to freedom and equality, and their sacrifices helped to secure the future of equal rights for African Americans in the United States.