In 1989, Denzel Washington won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in the retelling of Robert Gould Shaw‘s leadership of the US Civil War’s first, all-black volunteer company, fighting prejudices of both his own Union army and the Confederates. It’s one of my (Vic Rosa’s) favorite films.
I remember exploring the park grounds on very cold January month and despite this, I couldn’t resist exploration. I live in Virginia and Civil War historic sites abounds but this one was different. That’s when and where I met a very aged African American resident who just happened to be lounging on a bench who engaged in conversation with me.
He spoke to me of a series of battles that had taken place there in the days leading up to the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. This very old man spoke intelligently and coherently about how these battles involving the Richmond 1st Howitzers Regiment.
On the night of April 2, 1865 the lines at Richmond and Petersburg were evacuated. The
battery’s horses were in bad condition, and many gave out by the time they reached Amelia Court House. The caissons were abandoned and destroyed, leaving the horses to be used as gun teams, which restricted the ammunition supply to that which could be transported in the limbers.
At Amelia Court House Cabell’s batteries were placed in the advance of the artillery train under General Reuben L. Walker, and were not engaged until April 8 near Appomattox Station. Here, during a rest period when the teams were unhitched, the train was completely surprised by Federal cavalry. The guns were quickly unlimbered and loaded with canister, which, with the artillerymen now armed with muskets, drove away the attacking force. The column proceeded on towards Lynchburg, and, on April 10, upon learning of the surrender at Appomattox Court House, the guns were spiked and buried, the carriages and harness destroyed, and the 1st Company disbanded.
That little piece of Civil War history has not been forgotten because it all well documented and preserved throughout the state. But what of the 50,000 or so forgotten (African American) men served (actively) in one form an another during the Civil War? Where are their monuments? Where are their names? Stories of their valor and heroism?
In early April, 1865 a contingent of Black Confederates who were part of a larger regiment of 1500 men or so of the Richmond Howitzers held two squirmishes in Sailor’s Creek, Virginia. These men were all African American (Southern Freemen-Confederate Volunteers) serving in the Artillery and running of supplies (mostly munitions and explosives) to the Confederate lines.
“Forgotten Men” is a special and unique film about a part of American History that is forgotten and denied. A dramatic rendition of factual events, as uncovered by its African American female lead character, Mrs. Meriweahter. The film is enveloped in action, suspense and emotion. It is a story of African-American heritage………and it is a story of the Civil War. Yes, most of us now know about the African-Americans depicted in “Glory”, but what of the thousands of African-Americans who fought for the South? Who will tell their story? No one has or wanted to……………until now.
Although their struggle and sacrifice was not pivotal or strategic in the grand scheme of the Civil War, the noteworthy fact remains 140 years later, these Black Confederate Soldiers, and the thousands of others black southerner’s that served in Confederate units, are not remembered for their sacrifice and courage. They lie alone in unmarked graves scattered across this country’s Battlefields, with no monuments to even acknowledge their existence.
How can thousands of Americans remain ignored and denied their rightful place in history?
Perhaps the answer lies in the fact that history is always written from the point of view of the conqueror. Perhaps it is partly a matter of “political correctness” and perhaps in part, it is denial.
Whatever the reason, we feel it is time that these men are given their proper place in history and have their sacrifices acknowledged. With the telling of “Forgotten Men”, we propose not to glamorize these soldiers.
On January 11, 1865 General Robert E. Lee wrote the Confederate Congress urging them to arm and enlist black slaves in exchange for their freedom. On March 13, the Confederate Congress passed legislation to raise and enlist companies of black soldiers. The legislation was then promulgated into military policy by Davis in General Order No. 14 on March 23, 1865. The emancipation offered, however, was reliant upon a master’s consent;”no slave will be accepted as a recruit unless with his own consent and with the approbation of his master by a written instrument conferring, as far as he may, the rights of a freedman”. Pre-production for “Forgotten Men” is slated for the Spring of 2012.
