First Black Troops in Combat

Civil War Harper's Weekly, March 14, 1863

Welcome to our online collection of Civil War Harper's Weekly newspapers. We have made this collection available to enable you to develop a more complete understanding of this unique chapter of American History.

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Negro Soldiers

Abraham Lincoln as Dictator

Capture of the "Jacob Bell"

General Hunter

Emancipation Meeting

Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson

First Colored Troops in Battle

Stonewall Jackson Bio

Rebel Steamer Nashville

Exeter Hall, London

First Black Troops in Combat

Copperheads Cartoon

First Negro Regiment

You are viewing an original 1863 Harper's Weekly illustration of the first use of Black Troops in Combat in the Civil War.  The illustrations shows some dramatic action, as former slaves take on the role of United States Soldiers, and enter into combat against their former owners.  The illustration is by Thomas Nast, who was an ardent Republican, and Abraham Lincoln Supporter.  This illustration shows the black man as an able and disciplined soldier.  At the time, there was great resistance against arming the blacks, and this illustration helped the nation see the black man a a disciplined and capable soldier.  The image is captioned, "A Negro Regiment in Action. -[See Page 174]."