Final answer:
Black soldiers were crucial to the Union's efforts during the Civil War, with over 400 battles and skirmishes fought, and 15 receiving the Medal of Honor. In contrast, the Confederacy was reluctant to use black soldiers, mainly employing them in labor and support roles. It was not until the end of the war, faced with troop shortages, that the Confederacy considered enlisting black soldiers, although this came too late and with limited response.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Role of Black Soldiers in the Civil War
Black soldiers played a significant and transformative role during the Civil War. The majority of United States Colored Troops (USCT) performed crucial garrison duty in the South and fought in over 400 battles and skirmishes, defying the prejudiced notion that African Americans could not be effective soldiers. These engagements included Milliken's Bend, Port Hudson, Fort Wagner, Nashville, and the campaigns for Richmond. Black troops' involvement culminated in 15 soldiers receiving the Medal of Honor for their military heroism.
Throughout the war, African American soldiers used their positions to assert their rights to citizenship, with influences felt both in the North and the South. Initially, the Union was hesitant to enlist black soldiers, a stance influenced by the potential reactions of the Border States. It was not until 1863 that African Americans began serving in significant numbers in the Union army and navy. Conversely, the Confederacy mainly utilized slave labor in support roles, and it wasn't until the war's closing months that the Confederate government considered—but never fully implemented—the enlisting of black soldiers.
Historian James Robertson and other sources reflect on the late Confederate efforts to recruit black soldiers. The Confederacy faced shortages but remained largely unwilling to arm African Americans. When a law was passed to enlist black soldiers in March 1865, only a few dozen responded, none of whom saw military action or were permitted to carry weapons. This underlines the inherent societal inequalities and reliance on the institution of slavery that existed in the Confederacy during the Civil War.