Two years before black people were allowed to join the Union forces during the Civil War, James Stone, who was a light-complexioned black man, had already enlisted in the Union Army. The fugitive slave would later pass for white and get by the rule that African-Americans cannot join the Army. The Civil War, which began in 1861 and lasted for four years, was fought between the Union states (Northern states) and the states of the Confederacy (Southern states). It is documented that black soldiers were eager to enlist in the Union Army as they were willing to join the fight against slavery. Still, black soldiers were only allowed to join special all-black units led by white officers.

Source: The North Africa Journal September 04, 2018 18:22 UTC