On Monday, February 20, 1865 the Confederate House of Representatives authorized the use of slaves as soldiers, after lengthy and heated debate. The manpower situation in the Confederate States of America was so desperate that a majority of House members now felt compelled to accept blacks into the ranks of the Confederate army. However, at this late date in the life of the Southern Confederacy, there was no discussion of possibly granting emancipation for slaves who willingly served in the military. Earlier in the war, some advocated offering the black man his emancipation when the South’s freedom from the United States was finally achieved. Now, no such talk remained; owners were authorized to loan their slaves to the army for military service. Discussion of emancipation was now dropped.
00000174-b11b-ddc3-a1fc-bfdbb1a20000The Schreiner University Department of History is honoring the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War with a series of short vignettes focusing on events from 1861 through 1865. The Civil War was the most destructive conflict in American history, but it was also one of our most defining moments as a people and as a nation. Let us know what you think about "This Week in the Civil War." E-mail your comments to Dr. John Huddleston at jhuddles@schreiner.edu.Airs: Weekdays at 5:19 a.m., 8:19 a.m., 4:19 p.m. on KTXI and 4:49 a.m., 9:29 p.m. on KSTX.