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Black Rebels of the C.S.A.

Dedicated to the Black Rebels who served the South. May their valorous service be remembered forever.

This particular page will not be liked by Racists whether they be in the K.K.K. or the N.A.A.C.P. It seems that both of these organizations and others as well, would like to have the world believe that the Confederate States of America was some sort of a neo-Nazi republic. Nothing could be further from the truth.

One of the main reasons Southern Blacks are not proud that their "Brothers" willingly served on the side of the South is because the South lost the war for her independence. For many years Black organizations fought to get recognition for the few Black soldiers that fought in the Revolutionary war and were as proud as peacocks when they succeeded. Why were they so proud? Because we won that war and the Blacks understandably want to feel that they contributed in some way to that victory.

One never hears that the Blacks who served America during the Revolutionary war were forced to do so or that they betrayed their "Brothers" who were in bondage by fighting for thirteen states that at the time were all Slave States. The Blacks then were fighting for American Independence just as the Blacks in the Confederacy were fighting for Southern Independence. You can be sure that if we had won our bid for Independence from the tyrannical Yankee government the Southern Blacks today would be bragging on their ancestors that fought and served in Dixie's War for Independence. No doubt about it.

The contributions made by the black men and women of the South in the struggle for our Independence is not to be denied, at least not by us. The service they rendered was made in love and devotion for their beloved Dixie and oft times with exceptional heroism. Without their participation our struggle never would have lasted four years.

In the latter part of the 19th century and into the early part of the 20th you were hard pressed not to find a parade without which Black Confederate Veterans marched and they marched with Pride too. They were proud that they served the C.S.A. and the Southern Phalange is proud of them. Here are just a few examples from old historical records.

Private Levi Oxendine, was present for duty Oct. 1st, 1861 at Camp Myers, Tennessee, having been mustered in July 30th 1861 by A.B. Hardcastle and designated as a free Negro, age 53.

Private James Clark, a free Negro, enlisted in Co. K, 28th Georgia Regiment, and assigned as a fifer. He served throughout the war and surrendered at High Point North Carolina. He applied for a pension in 1904 at the age of 104. He must have been at least 60 yrs. old when he signed up. God bless him.

Alexander Harris and his friend George Dwelle entered Confederate service with the First Volunteer Regiment of Georgia. After the war, both entered the ministry and the Reverend Harris was noted for his bravery during the yellow fever epidemic of 1876 in Savannah.

Amos Rucker served as a fighting soldier in the 7th Georgia Regiment; and Moses Bentley his brother were at the Battle of Fredericksburg and helped carry the mortally wounded General Francis S. Bartow from the field. Another Georgia black, Richmond Elder, went to war with his young master, Joe Elder. When Joe was wounded and lay dying, he gave his cap to Richmond. "Keep it for me, Rich" he said. Richmond kept it for 35 years and was buried with it.

In July 1864 , C.S.A. Lieutenant Thomas Pelot carried out a surprise raid on the "U.S.S. Water Witch" in Green Island Sound. His pilot a black named Mose Dallas was shot and killed and Pelot himself lost his life; but just before setting out, Pelot ordered a young black out of the party because of his age. The boy was John Deveaux, prominent in politics and the founder of the Savannah Tribune. He never failed in his regular visits to Pelot's grave in Laurel Grove Cemetery to honor the man who, he believed, had saved his life.

Col. Chilton, C.S.A. used to tell his son about being with a small force one night when a Yankee raid surprised them. He was wounded and left for dead but his body servant escaped into the woods, returning after dark he carried his master away on his back. He somehow got hold of a buggy and got the colonel to safety where he could be cared for. Many years later, Colonel Chilton's son was asked to interview an old black man who had applied for a pension and had mentioned the colonel. The old man had told the same stories that the son had heard from his father many times, and he said, " I am more than glad to recommend you, but why did you wait so long to apply? "Why!" the old man said in surprise, " I didn't need no pension! I was able to make a living, but I broke my leg a couple of years ago and I couldn't work any more."

Dick Poplar had been a caterer at the Bollingbroke Hotel in Petersburg, Virginia where his cornmeal creations were said to be unequaled. He took his culinary genius to war with some Confederate fighting units and was captured at Gettysburg. Sent to Point Lookout POW Camp, noted for its cruel black guards, he was put under special pressure to desert the Southern Cause and take the oath of allegiance to the United Snakes, but he treated oppressors with cold contempt. He declared himself "a Jeff Davis man" and said he didn't care who heard him say so. He endured twenty months of life in one of the three very worst POW camps of the war, selling his famous pones to the other prisoners. He returned to Petersburg after the war, and became a celebrated local figure and prospered. Upon his death he was buried with full Confederate honors as befitting a loyal Son of the South.