Curated OER
The Freedom to Fight
High schoolers study the African American troop experiences in the Civil War. In this American history lesson, students examine primary and secondary sources regarding the experiences and contributions of African American soldiers who...
Other
Pennsylvania Heritage Society: Pennsylvania Civil War 150
The sidebar of this site reads "Understand the War Through People Then and Now." That is the mission of the site, and when you click on each word or phrase, you open up a world of information about the Civil War. Compiled resources help...
Curated OER
National Park Service: The American Civil War: African Americans
An overview of African American's contributions during the Civil War. Presents the history, contributions, and information on the Underground Railroad.
Curated OER
National Park Service: The American Civil War
An overview of the Civil War produced by the National Parks Service provides information on the entire conflict as well as information on specific battles that occurred.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: A War to End Slavery Webisode 6
A wonderful, interactive site covering many aspects of the Civil War. See photographs, primary sources, and find interesting tidbits about the war. Included are links to lesson plans, teacher guides, resources, activities, and tools.
US National Archives
Nara: American Originals: 54th Regiment Casualty List
An interesting webpage in that it contains a brief summary of the history of the Regiment as well as the Casualty List from the assault on Fort Wagner and two historic photos.
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: Black Soldiers in the Civil War
This comprehensive site from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) describes the history of the participation of colored troops in the Civil War and government efforts to research and compile records about them....
Library of Congress
Loc: Prints & Photograph: Photographs of African Americans During the Civil War
A Library of Congress collection of digitized photos of African Americans during the Civil War, including photos of soldiers and freedmen. From the Library of Congress.
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.
New Georgia Encyclopedia: History and Archaeology: Black Troops in Civil War Georgia
The New Georgia Encyclopedia provides an article describing the role, recruitment, and enlistment of black troops in Georgia during the Civil War.
US National Archives
Our Documents: War Dept General Order 143: Creation of Us Colored Troops (1863)
Original document that permitted the recruitment of black troops during the Civil War. Read about events and issues leading up to and following the 1863 establishment of the Bureau of Colored Troops.
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission
Explore Pa History: Wartime Mobilization
Read about the short-term problems and long-term successes in mobilizing troops from Pennsylvania to fight in the Civil War. Included is information about the discussion of allowing blacks to serve in the war.
Other
Camp Nelson: United States Colored Troops at Camp Nelson
This site from Camp Nelson provides text, photos, and original documents of Camp Nelson, a refugee and training camp for African-Americans during the Civil War.
Other
Hall of Black Achievement: Sergeant William H. Carney, c.m.h.: Civil War Hero
A brief biography of William H. Carney, inspiration of the 54th Massachusetts. There is a link to an audio reading of the narrative.
Other
Union Regimental Histories: Corps De Afrique and the Civil War
This site gives brief histories of the 25 regiments in the Corps De Afrique who served in the Civil War. From "A Compendium of the War of Rebellion" by Frederick H. Dyer.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Frederick Douglass' Role in the Civil War
Frederick Douglass had the ear of Abraham Lincoln. Read about how he used his influence to allow African Americans to join the Union Army,
Alabama Humanities Foundation
Encyclopedia of Alabama: African American Union Troops
Following the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, African Americans were granted the right to join the U.S. Army, but this article takes a closer look at how this new right worked.
Black Past
Black Past: Fort Pillow Massacre
In this encyclopedia entry you'll learn about the Fort Pillow Massacre where Confederate soldiers attacked a Union garrison of whom roughly half, about 300, were runaway slaves who joined the Union Army. Over two-thirds were slaughtered...
Other
Lives of Civil War Heroes: Biography of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw
Index to links for biographies of Robert Gould Shaw and information about the 54th Massachusetts.
Civil War Home
Home of the American Civil War: Robert Gould Shaw
A brief description of the life and death of Robert Shaw and his involvement with the black regiment, the 54th Massachusetts. From "Who Was Who In the Civil War" by Stewart Sifakis.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: William Harvey Carney
This site from Wikipedia contains a biography of William H. Carney (1842-1908), the man who saved the flag during the battle at Fort Wagner. Links are provided throughout for additional information on related subjects.
Other
Historynet: William H. Carney: 54h Massachusetts Soldier
A dramatic summary of Carney's heroic actions during the Battle of Fort Wagner as well as a brief recount of his life following the Civil War.