The Black Soldiers Who Changed the Meaning of the Civil War

In 1865, Black ministers including Garrison Frazier met with General Sherman and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton to express Black Americans' desire to serve in the Union military as a means of securing freedom. The article contrasts this historical commitment with current actions by Pete Hegseth, who has removed tributes to Black military heroes and blocked Black officers' promotions, framing it as an attack on the legacy of Black service. The text highlights the role of Black soldiers in shaping the Civil War's outcome and the ongoing efforts to erase their contributions.