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African American Contributions During the Civil War

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African American Contributions During the Civil War
Intelligence gathered during the Civil war came from many sources however we will look at on the African American role … African intelligence information was some times referred to as “Black Dispatches”, this was a term used by Union military men for intelligence on Confederate forces provided by Negroes. This source of information represented one of the most creative and productive types of intelligence information obtained and acted upon by Union forces throughout the Civil War. Black Dispatches resulted from frontline tactical debriefings of slaves--either runaways or those having just come under Union control. Many African Americans contributed, to tactical and strategic Union intelligence through behind-the-lines missions and agent-in-place operations. Two such Union agents functioned as long-term penetrations of Confederate President Jefferson Davis "White House" staff in Richmond, Virginia. Even such a prominent woman as Harriet Tubman, best known for her activities involving the "underground railroad," played a vital role in gathering Union intelligence. The value of the information that could be gathered, both covertly and overtly, by African Americans behind Confederate lines was clearly understood by almost all Union generals early in the war. Popular recognition of this type of intelligence was very apparent through a stream of articles and stories in the Northern press publications during the war. General Robert E. Lee, commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, was very aware, and in May 1863 he said, "The chief source of information to the enemy is through our Negroes" Said Lee. Because of the culture of slavery in the Southern States, Negroes involved in general activities could easily move about without causing any suspicion. Furthermore, officials and officers tended to ignore their presence as personal servants when discussing war-related matters. After the war the intelligence contributions of African Americans


References: 4. Pinkerton, Allan. The Spy of the Rebellion. Chicago: A. G. Nettleton, 1883; p. 389. 5. Fishel, Edwin C 10. Waitt, Robert W. Thomas McNiven Papers, Richmond, Virginia. Unpublished. As quoted in Ryan, David D. A Yankee Spy in Richmond: The Civil War Diary of "Crazy Bet" Van Lew. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books, 1996; p. 12. 11. Taylor, M
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