Brothers to the Buffalo Soldiers: Perspectives on the African American Militia and Volunteers, 1865-1917

The Black Militia of the New South: Texas as a Case Study

The Black Militia of the New South Texas as a Case Study ( Alwyn Barr The existence and significance of black militia units in the New South have proved elusive for historians, although black citizen soldiers attained considerable importance during Reconstruction. African Americans had been recruited in nine of the eleven former Confederate states to protect Republicans from white Democratic violence. White Democrats, who opposed the black militia as a challenge to white domination, ultimately resorted to increased violence as a means of disarming the black troops and defeating Republican political efforts.1 With those events in mind, Richard Hofstadter, in his book on American violence, asserted that “by 1877, with the defeat of radical reconstruction, the last of the Negro militias was dissolved.”2 Except for the study by John D. Foner who states that “after the end of Reconstruction, blacks were almost entirely excluded from militias in the South,”3 general histories of the militia and of black troops in the United States ignore the topic. Those assumptions of exclusion are misleading, however, as is shown by militia figures from southern states. Virginia in 1885 counted nineteen black companies with 1,000 men. In North Carolina eleven black infantry companies numbered over eight hundred men in 1878. South Carolina maintained 837 black men in two regiments and two unattached companies during 1891. The black Georgia Volunteers of 1892 totaled 952 men in three battalions and six unattached companies. The Alabama militia included a black battalion of 181 men as late as 1898. Tennessee retained at least two black companies in the 1890s. Several black companies drilled in Arkansas during the late 73 74 Alwyn Barr nineteenth century. The Texas adjutant general in 1882 reported nine black companies which mustered 352 men. In each state black troops formed 20 to 40 percent of the militia, but usually less than the percentage of the black population. Nevertheless, the existence of over four thousand black citizensoldiers in eight of the eleven former Confederate states refutes any concept of nearly total exclusion.4 Since white southern Democrats had opposed black militia during Reconstruction , it seems surprising that they would retain such companies once their party regained power. Yet Democratic control of southern state governments apparently reduced fears of black militiamen. Furthermore, the black militia could become another example of the New South creed of white tolerance, as this description by two white Texans suggests: “Texas can boast of colored militia companies, whose arms are furnished by the state. . . . These Negro militia companies parade with all the pomp and circumstance of war; and no objection is raised, so thoroughly reconstructed have the people of Texas become.”5 Blacks might take a different view of their militia service. George Tindall summarizes the standard interpretation. “The function of the militia companies was altogether ceremonial and social. Excursions, parades, banquets, and picnics constituted their range of activities.”6 Yet a case study of the black militia in one state—Texas—suggests more complex conclusions. After Texas Democrats regained power during the mid-1870s only a few black companies survived, in rather haphazard condition. But direction, organization and expansion revived with the appearance of a charismatic young Negro officer, Captain A. M. Gregory. As a Republican he had sought to raise a company in North Texas during 1872. In 1878 the twenty-eight-year-old minister and teacher reappeared as the efficient Democratic organizer of a company in Waco.7 In April, 1879, when the number of black companies had fallen to three— in Austin, San Antonio, and Waco—Gregory suggested the creation of a black regiment. Adjutant General John B. Jones, a former Confederate captain, replied : “Your plan of convention of colored companies is approved. . . . If you can . . . organize companies sufficient for a Battalion or Regiment, it will be recognized . . . separate from white Regiments.”8 By December, Gregory had begun recruiting new companies and urged a convention to elect field officers for a battalion or regiment. Black interest had created additional companies, thus Jones agreed to formalize a black regiment . Gregory became colonel of the regiment in May, but decided against an encampment that year because it would conflict with cotton picking which might limit participation.9 75 Black Militia of the New South:Texas In 1881, Gregory concentrated on organizing an encampment in conjunction with the annual emancipation celebration at Houston. Adjutant General Jones arranged for reduced railroad rates and blank ammunition, brushing aside...