PRESENTATION OUTLINE
AFRICAN AMERICAN SOLDIERS
It wasn't till 1862 when African Americans could join the federal army or even carry a gun.
During the war the rate for black soldiers was 40% higher than white troops, partly because confederates shot or captured black men.
African American soldiers were paid $10 per month and they had to pay for clothes which were $3.
Boys as young as 9 used to stand by generals and played drums to motivate soldiers.
Kids could join the union as young as 12, but some people went in earlier than 12.
As many as 20% of the soldiers were younger than 18 years old.
Some kids assisted surgeons as they sawed off legs and arms of injured soldiers.
Kids in the war had to see soldiers suffer from wounds, disease and starvation.
Kids who stayed home had to help run the family farm and harvest crops, chop wood and killed animals for food.
