History Detectives  Wearing the Confederate Uniform: Slave or Soldier?

In this rare photo of a black man in a Confederate uniform, was he soldier or slave? Details

 

Program: History Detectives

Episode: Wearing the Confederate Uniform: Slave or Soldier?

In this extraordinary Civil War tintype, two men sit side by side, one white, the other black, both wearing Confederate uniforms, both holding weapons. Descendants of the men in this photo ask: Could a slave be a soldier in the Confederate army? Wes Cowan dusts off years of dueling family legends to reveal the facts behind the men in this photo.

Your purchase helps support PBS and the programs you love.
Buy DVD

Duration: (19:57)
Premiere Date: 10/11/2011
Episode Expires: Never
TV Rating: NR
Closed Caption

CC


To view the full experience of this website, please download and install latest Adobe Flash Player version.

Did you know? Viewers like you are our largest single source of support.

More Videos from History Detectives

Full episodes
61 VIDEOS

Mysteries from the Wild West
53:09 Air Date 04/02/13

Bill of Sale, Cobb Powder Horn and the Star Spangled Banner
53:41 Air Date 01/08/13

Colored Heroes, Valley Forge Map and a Transistor Radio
52:31 Air Date 10/28/12

Vietnam Diary, Bootlegger’s Notebook and a Hollywood Ledger
53:16 Air Date 10/02/12

Titanic Picture Frame, Woolworth Signs, Nazi Spy Toys
53:11 Air Date 08/07/12

Bird of War, Lincoln Oath and War Spoils of a Peace Chief
53:21 Air Date 07/31/12
+ MORE FULL EPISODES
Previews
12 VIDEOS

Mysteries from the Wild West - Preview
0:30 Air Date 04/02/13

Preview: American bill of sale, a powder horn, 1775 almanac
0:30 Air Date 01/08/13

Preview: WW1 poster, map of Valley Forge, a transistor radio
0:30 Air Date 10/09/12

Preview: Vietnamese soldier’s diary, bootlegger’s notebook
0:30 Air Date 10/02/12

Vietnam Diary Preview
1:56 Air Date 09/26/12

Preview: disputed picture frame, German toy soldiers
0:30 Air Date 08/31/12
+ MORE PREVIEWS
Shorts
285 VIDEOS

Kit Carson Family Secrets
13:28 Air Date 04/02/13

Tumbling Tumbleweeds - The Luck and the Loss
11:45 Air Date 04/02/13

Sons of the Pioneers
00:00 Air Date 03/19/13

Web Extra: Rusty Richards
1:59 Air Date 03/19/13

The Real Kit Carson
3:41 Air Date 03/19/13

Poet Laureate of the West
5:08 Air Date 03/19/13
+ MORE SHORTS