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toc =Discussion Examples=

Good Initial Posts

 * Question: **How did slave reactions to freedom differ? Does this surprise you? Why or Why not?

**Freed slaves reacted in many different ways. Some slaves were of course relieved and excited to no longer belong to anyone and to be free to live as they please. In our text book there is the story of a women who spit in the biscuits and peed in the coffee to get even with the mean white folks. Another story is told about a women who, when she found out she was free, walked up to the main house, found the mistress, lifted up her dress, and told the mistress to kiss her @*&. The book also tells stories of elderly slaves who were fearful and apprehensive about being free. One older black women refused to accept the emancipation she claimed that she wasn’t free and that she has a master and if you didn't believe her you could look in the great house cause that where he was. Many and most slaves went directly to find family who they had been separated from. Most slaves wanted to own land and independently property on their own land.
 * Example 1

Mary K. Word Count 175

**On a website called civilwarhome.com, I found information saying that many freedmen fled into contraband camps and were hired out to loyal Unionist plantation owners for low wages, and others in the Western theater were assigned parcels of confiscated lands for subsistence farming. ("Freedmen, The Freed Slaves of The Civil War." Civil War Home. 16 Feb. 2002. 19 Mar. 2008 http://www.civilwarhome.com/freedmen.htm) Still others rendered service to the army. I found all of this to be very surprising. I thought that they would never want to work for another white man ever again. I know I wouldn't.
 * Example 2

Tim L. Word Count 252


 * Question: ** What types of reactions did the South have to black soldiers fighting for the Union? How did the North respond?

Confederate leaders and soldiers did not recognize black soldiers fighting for the Union as legitimate soldiers. When black Union soldiers were caught by the confederate army, they were not treated as prisoners of war, like the white Union soldiers captured. Instead, black soldiers were tortured and often times murdered. The Confederate Secretary of War, James A. Seddon, actually ordered the execution of all captured black soldiers, saying that the Confederate army should never be burdened with such prisoners. On April 12, 1864, Confederate forced under Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest, massacred black Union soldiers at Fort Pillow, TN (http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/civilwar/p/andersonville.htm)

In response to what the Confederate army was doing to black Union soldiers, Abraham Lincoln issued General Order 11. General Order 11 stated that for every soldier of the United States killed in violation of the laws of war, a rebel soldier shall be executed, and for ever one enslaved by the enemy, or sold into slavery, a rebel soldier shall be placed at hard labor on the public works, and continued at such labor until the other shall be released and receive the treatment due to a prisoner of war.

Dan S. Word Count 210

Good Replies
Tory, I agree that there was much discrimination against blacks before, during, and after the civil war. However, despite being treated so poorly by fellow soldiers, many black men decided to enlist in the Union Army. I feel so many black troops decided to enlist because of pride. Even if fellow white troops did not believe the black soldiers were necessary, the black men fighting for their freedom knew they were making a huge difference. Black men wanted a hand in freeing their families even if it meant giving their lives. These men knew they would face certain discrimination, but fought for what they knew was right anyway. Alex R. Word Count 110
 * Example 1 **

Subject: Re: DQ #15 What types of discrimination did Black Americans have to face in the military?
 * Example 2 **

Ashley, During the Civil War, black Union soldiers were not actually even viewed and soldiers by southern troops. When black soldiers were caught they were brutally beat and often times killed. Head southern commanders ordered troops to kill captured black soldiers, saying they need not to inconvenience themselves with such men. In response to this misconduct, Abraham Lincoln sent out a message stating that for every black prisoner killed, one southern prisoner would be executed, and for every black prisoner sold to slavery, one southern prisoner would be put at hard labor until all black prisoners were treated as a prisoner of war should be treated. Unfortunately, Lincoln's message did not work and many men lost their lives.

John J. Word Count 121