History Trivia: In May 1861 The Native Guards, Louisiana was formed by the Governor, consisting of 14 Companies of a militia of 440 men swearing to fight to defend the Confederacy. Although given no combat role, the Guards -- reaching a peak of 1,000 volunteers -- became the first Civil War unit to appoint black officers. Why would so many black men be willing to defend the South? Well surprisingly Louisiana like the other Southern states had quite a few free blacks who very much did not want to lose their rights to slave ownership. "The free colored population of Louisiana … own slaves, and they are dearly attached to their native land … and they are ready to shed their blood for her defense. They have no sympathy for abolitionism; no love for the North, but they have plenty for Louisiana … They will fight for her in 1861 as they fought to defend New Orleans from the British in 1814-1815."
Posted on: Wed, 17 Jul 2013 06:16:49 +0000
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