Final answer:
African-Americans faced extreme risks if captured, as they were not treated as POWs but were instead likely to be enslaved or killed. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 allowed for recapture of escaped slaves without fair trial, and free African-Americans were also vulnerable to kidnapping and enslavement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The role of African-Americans in the context of the historical treatment of slavery and war was fraught with danger. If captured, African-Americans, especially those attempting to escape slavery or serving in the military, would not be treated as prisoners of war (POWs) but would be at risk of being enslaved or killed.
Enslaved Africans who escaped faced the threat of being kidnapped and sold back into slavery, in part due to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which allowed for their recapture without a jury trial. Free African-Americans were also at risk of being kidnapped, as their certificates of freedom could be easily destroyed. Even during the times of war, African Americans served in segregated units and were often given the most dangerous assignments. These conditions highlighted the pervasive risks and racial injustices faced by African-Americans at the time.