Civil War (jan 1, 1861 – jan 1, 1865)

Description:

In late 1862, free Black men were allowed to enlist in the army following the passage of the Second Confiscation and Militia Act. This act freed slaves who had masters in the Confederate Army. By May 1963, the government established the Bureau of Colored Troops to manage African-American soldiers in the Union Army.

In the Union Army, more than 179,000 African-Americans served in over 160 different units, representing ten percent of the Army. This number included both free African-Americans and runaway slaves from the South. Many Black soldiers faced discrimination in the Army and often received lower wages and unequal treatment.

Westfield residents fought for the Union Army. Among them included free African-Americans Robert Clark, Milton A. Brown, and Thomas Carle.

Added to timeline:

Date: