Author: Robert K. Summers
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: 2016-02-01
Total Pages: 422
ISBN-13: 9781523626861
DOWNLOAD EBOOKWhen the Civil War began in April 1861, President Abraham Lincoln called for 90-day volunteers to put down the insurrection. 75,000 patriotic men enlisted. But as the war dragged on, it became clear that many more volunteers would be needed to replace the dead and wounded. The President issued more calls for volunteers, but fewer men answered each time. The true horror of war had begun to sink in. The Union Government then began to offer cash bonuses for enlistment, and instituted a draft. The first draft law was enacted on July 17, 1862. A more comprehensive one, the Enrollment Act, followed on March 3, 1863. But there were still not enough men to replace those lost in battle. After having initially resisted the idea, President Lincoln authorized the Army, in his Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863, to begin enlisting free African-Americans. Later that year, he authorized the Army to begin enlisting slaves as well. This is the story of the 19th Regiment, U.S. Colored Troops, comprised of 1,000 men, most of whom were runaway slaves. The 19th Regiment fought at the famous Battle of the Crater at Petersburg, Virginia. Almost a third of the men had died in battle or from disease by the time their 3-year enlistment was up.
Book Synopsis 19th Regiment, U.S. Colored Troops by : Robert K. Summers
Download or read book 19th Regiment, U.S. Colored Troops written by Robert K. Summers and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2016-02-01 with total page 422 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When the Civil War began in April 1861, President Abraham Lincoln called for 90-day volunteers to put down the insurrection. 75,000 patriotic men enlisted. But as the war dragged on, it became clear that many more volunteers would be needed to replace the dead and wounded. The President issued more calls for volunteers, but fewer men answered each time. The true horror of war had begun to sink in. The Union Government then began to offer cash bonuses for enlistment, and instituted a draft. The first draft law was enacted on July 17, 1862. A more comprehensive one, the Enrollment Act, followed on March 3, 1863. But there were still not enough men to replace those lost in battle. After having initially resisted the idea, President Lincoln authorized the Army, in his Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863, to begin enlisting free African-Americans. Later that year, he authorized the Army to begin enlisting slaves as well. This is the story of the 19th Regiment, U.S. Colored Troops, comprised of 1,000 men, most of whom were runaway slaves. The 19th Regiment fought at the famous Battle of the Crater at Petersburg, Virginia. Almost a third of the men had died in battle or from disease by the time their 3-year enlistment was up.
