1890 Census Table 130 'Black Confederates'? Discussion Thread

5fish

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Was not most of the 1890 census list in a fire...
 

jgoodguy

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Was not most of the 1890 census list in a fire...
That is what I understand.

The numbers can be understood if they include cooks, barbers, teamsters, and other contractors like positions. There were a lot of private cooks/teamsters and so on in the CSA army. There is a world of difference between asking 'did you tote a rifle for the CSA?', 'were you a private for the CSA? ' and 'were you in the CSA army?'

Like all 'Black Confederates', they are in the eye of the beholder. Yet another complexity in the 'Black Confederate' argument.

It is also another lesson in depending on a single data point/source. There is no confirming 1860s evidence that any of these men carried rifles in anger against the Union.
 

jgoodguy

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The distribution is odd. I need to do more work on it, but New Orleans that had 1200 in the Native Guard has only 27. Washington DC which was Union has 30,
 

Joshism

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Interesting data. It does say soldiers or sailors, and one wonders how many there are of the latter here. The South seems to have been more willing to accept black sailors and pilots than black soldiers, presumably because the sailors could serve unarmed.

Only 27 "Black Confederates veterans" in New Orleans in 1890? Where did the Louisiana Native Guard go? Either they didn't consider themselves black Confederate veterans, or the census taker didn't. (JGG posted essentially the same comment literally as I was typing this.)
 

Tom

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The distribution is odd. I need to do more work on it, but New Orleans that had 1200 in the Native Guard has only 27. Washington DC which was Union has 30,
Only 27 "Black Confederates veterans" in New Orleans in 1890? Where did the Louisiana Native Guard go? Either they didn't consider themselves black Confederate veterans, or the census taker didn't. (JGG posted essentially the same comment literally as I was typing this.)
Some had reasons to disavow their connection with the Confederate NG - keep their pension, personal safety, political correctness, etc.
 

Tom

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I love to see some evidence that in 1890 that was true in the South.
I haven't catalogued it. It's just something I've noticed from time to time in the process of research.

"there was a battalion of free colored people, commanded by old Jordan, the veteran drummer, who has since set up high claims to original loyalty. Jordan and his men were particularly fierce and demonstrative against 'the Yankees,' as they styled the United States troops." -New Orleans Times, February 28, 1867

I believe it was in the 1880s or 90s that Jordan Noble wrote a sketch of his military service in several wars. He didn't mention his Confederate service.
 
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