While all were fighting against slavery, some were fighting to free actual family members who may have still been in slavery. For these early black volunteers particularly, to step into the spotlight by volunteering took enormous courage, not to mention the bravery of those who crossed back into the U.S. to fight.
Although all were battling against slavery, some were fighting to liberate actual family members who may have still been in bondage. For these pioneering black volunteers, volunteering publicly required immense courage, and those who risked crossing back into the U.S. to fight demonstrated remarkable bravery.