Blacks in Georgia During the Civil War

Introduction: Many escaped slaves from Georgia were among the more than 180,000 African Americans that served in the Union Army during the Civil War. Other escaped slaves--particularly resulting from Sherman's March to Sea--lived and worked in Union-controlled areas of Georgia's coast. On the other hand, willingly or unwillingly, some Georgia blacks performed services that aided the Confederate cause or helped defend Georgia. Near the end of the war, there was an active debate about arming slaves to fight for the Confederacy in return for granting their freedom. And, organization of some black units may have been underway when then war ended. This page will attempt to provide information about what life was like for Georgia blacks--both slave and free--during the Civil War.

Black Troops in Civil War Georgia (New Georgia Encyclopedia)

United States Colored Troops

Go to African-American History and Culture page

Go to Civil War in Georgia page

Return to table of contents