Black History

In Honor of Black History Month, Honor the Black and White Soldiers Who Fought to Defeat Slavery

NEW ORLEANS DATA NEWS WEEKLY — Africans played a very important role in the victory over the slave holders and the defeat of the Confederacy.

Published

5 years ago

February 4, 2019

Oakland Post

Leon A. Waters

Africans played a very important role in the victory over the slave holders and the defeat of the Confederacy. Just before and after the war broke out (1861), thousands of enslaved Africans from New Orleans, Louisiana across the South deserted the plantations and fought as maroons (runaway slaves) against the slave masters.

Many made it to St. James A.M.E. Baptist Church on N. Roman Street that served as a Union recruiting station. Over 200,000 Black men fought in the Union Army; up to 28,000 former enslaved came from New Orleans and Louisiana. They were in the vanguard of some of the decisive battles of the war. Several regiments of the U.S. Colored Troops participated in the defeat inflicted on General Robert E. Lee’s army in Virginia. Black troops of the 25 Corp were among the first Union troops to liberate the Confederate capital at Richmond, Virginia, on April 3, 1865* that later led to the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox, VA. on April 9, 1865.

In Louisiana, African troops were decisive in defeating the Confederate forces. The Confederate forces were already weakened from within by the mutiny of Confederate troops at Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip in Plaquemines Parish (April 1862) and by the desertion of thousands of Johnny Rebs in the face of the armada of Union ships led by Admiral Farragut who captured New Orleans on April 26, 1862. **

At Port Hudson, eight African regiments including the famous 1st and 2nd Native Guards liberated themselves well. The latter two regiments made over five heroic and daring sorties up difficult terrain to capture Confederate positions. In these assaults, the African troops displayed unmatched heroism and courage in the face of sharp fire from entrenched enemy positions. On one charge they nearly carried the enemy’s position and were thrown back only at the last moment. In the battle of May 27, 1863, Captain Andre’ Cailloux, a Black soldier of the 1st Louisiana Native Guards, displayed enormous courage and calm under fire. After being shot and seriously wounded he struggled to his feet and led his men in another bold assault. He was then hit again, yet found the fortitude to continue. A third time he was shot; this time it was fatal. He died a glorious death for the cause of freedom. And for this he has become a great martyr for the anti-slavery cause and for self-determination of the African American nation.

The Union Army was pursuing a just and democratic objective. This is why we should honor the Civil War. After the Civil War, the U.S. government passed into the hands of the monopoly millionaire class. The government, then, began to employ African American and white troops in a series of unjust wars. The objective of these wars was to subdue the native peoples (incorrectly called Indians) and to invade Spanish held colonies in the Caribbean (Puerto Rico, Cuba, Philippines, etc. in 1898) These wars were unjust wars and were conducted in the interest of the rich millionaires and were contrary to the real interest of the oppressed masses in the U.S.A. For this reason we should not honor these wars.

Long live the heroic African fighters!!

*1 Lerone Bennet, Jr., Before the Mayflower: A History of Black America (New York: Penguin Books,1993) p. 475.

**2 Col. Robert N. Scott, The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Series I Volume VI (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1882) p. 556-643.

Leon A. Waters is the Chairperson of the Louisiana Museum of African American History; Manager of Hidden History Tours, @ www.HiddenHistory.us

This article originally appeared in the New Orleans Data News Weekly.

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Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

Published

5 days ago

April 19, 2024

Oakland Post

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Black History

Matthew Henson: Explorer Extraordinaire

Matthew Henson, a trailblazing explorer who overcame countless obstacles to leave an incredible mark on history. Born on August 8, 1866, in Charles County, Maryland, his journey is a testament to the power of determination and the spirit of adventure.

Published

7 days ago

April 17, 2024

Oakland Post

Matthew Henson (File Photo)

By Tamara Shiloh

Henson’s life began amidst the backdrop of post-Civil War America, where opportunities for African Americans were scarce. From a young age, he possessed an insatiable curiosity about the world beyond his small town. At the age of 12, he embarked on a journey that would change the course of his life forever when he joined a merchant ship as a cabin boy.

His most famous expedition was his journey to the Arctic with renowned explorer Robert E. Peary. In 1887, Henson joined Peary’s crew as a seaman and quickly proved himself to be invaluable with his skills as a navigator and craftsman. Over the course of several expeditions, Matthew endured extreme cold, treacherous terrain, and grueling conditions as he and Peary sought to reach the elusive North Pole.

In 1908–09, Peary set out on his eighth attempt to reach the North Pole. It was a big expedition, with Peary planning to leave supplies along the way. When he and Henson boarded their ship, the Roosevelt, leaving Greenland on August 18, 1909, they were joined by a large group. This included 22 Inuit men, 17 Inuit women, 10 children, 246 dogs, 70 tons of whale meat, blubber from 50 walruses, hunting gear, and tons of coal.

In February, Henson and Peary left their anchored ship at Ellesmere Island’s Cape Sheridan, along with the Inuit men and 130 dogs. They worked together to set up a trail and supplies along the way to the Pole.

Peary picked Henson and four Inuit people to join him in the final push to the Pole. However, before they reached their destination, Peary couldn’t walk anymore and had to ride in a dog sled. He sent Henson ahead to scout the way. In a later interview with a newspaper, Henson recalled being in the lead and realizing they had gone too far. The group turned back, and Henson noticed his footprints helped guide them to their destination. At that location, Henson planted the American flag.

Henson’s legacy extends far beyond his expeditions to the Arctic. He shattered racial barriers in the world of exploration and inspired countless individuals, regardless of race, to dream big and pursue their passions. In 1937, he was finally recognized for his achievements when he was inducted into The Explorers Club, an organization dedicated to promoting scientific exploration and field research.

Matthew Henson died in the Bronx, New York, on March 9, 1955, at the age of 88.

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Art

Marin County: A Snapshot of California’s Black History Is on Display

The Marin County Office of Education, located at 1111 Las Gallinas Ave in San Rafael, will host the extraordinary exhibit, “The Legacy of Marin City: A California Black History Story (1942-1960),” from Feb. 1 to May 31, 2024. The interactive, historical, and immersive exhibit featuring memorabilia from Black shipyard workers who migrated from the South to the West Coast to work at the Marinship shipyard will provide an enriching experience for students and school staff. Community organizations will also be invited to tour the exhibit.

Published

1 week ago

April 16, 2024

Oakland Post

Early photo of Marin City in the exhibit showing the first department store, barber shop, and liquor store. (Photo by Godfrey Lee)

By Post Staff

The interactive, historical, and immersive exhibit featuring memorabilia from Black shipyard workers who migrated from the South to the West Coast to work at the Marinship shipyard will provide an enriching experience for students and school staff. Community organizations will also be invited to tour the exhibit.

All will have the opportunity to visit and be guided by its curator Felecia Gaston.

The exhibit will include photographs, articles and artifacts about the Black experience in Marin City from 1942 to 1960 from the Felecia Gaston Collection, the Anne T. Kent California Room Collection, The Ruth Marion and Pirkle Jones Collection, The Bancroft Library, and the Daniel Ruark Collection.

It also features contemporary original artwork by Chuck D of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Public Enemy, clay sculptures by San Francisco-based artist Kaytea Petro, and art pieces made by Marin City youth in collaboration with Lynn Sondag, Associate Professor of Art at Dominican University of California.

The exhibit explores how Marin City residents endured housing inequities over the years and captures the history of plans to remove Black residents from the area after World War II. Throughout, it embodies the spirit of survival and endurance that emboldened the people who made Marin City home.

Felecia Gaston is the author of the commemorative book, ‘A Brand New Start…This is Home: The Story of World War II Marinship and the Legacy of Marin City.’ Thanks to the generous contribution of benefactors, a set of Felecia’s book will be placed in every public elementary, middle, and high school library in Marin.

In addition, educators and librarians at each school will have the opportunity to engage with Felecia in a review of best practices for utilizing the valuable primary sources within the book.

“Our goal is to provide students with the opportunity to learn from these significant and historical contributions to Marin County, California, and the United States,” said John Carroll, Marin County Superintendent of Schools.

“By engaging with Felecia’s book and then visiting the exhibit, students will be able to further connect their knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of this significant historical period,” Carroll continued.

Felecia Gaston adds, “The Marin County Office of Education’s decision to bring the Marin City Historical Traveling Exhibit and publication, ‘A Brand New Start…This is Home’ to young students is intentional and plays a substantial role in the educational world. It is imperative that our community knows the contributions of Marin City Black residents to Marin County. Our youth are best placed to lead this transformation.”

The Marin County Office of Education will host an Open House Reception of the exhibit’s debut on Feb. 1 from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.. All school staff, educators, librarians, and community members are encouraged to attend to preview the exhibit and connect with Felecia Gaston. To contact Gaston, email MarinCityLegacy@marinschools.org