At the peak of the Civil War, free black men rushed to volunteer for service with the Union forces.African Americans had served in the army and navy during the American Revolution and in the War of 1812 .african americans were prohibited from owning fire arms because of the 1972 law. abraham lincoln feared that the states Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri to secede if african americans were allowed into the military.
after 1862 african american gained the right to join the military due to the Second Confiscation and Militia Act, which also freed slaves who had masters in the Confederate Army, and also because of Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. By May 1863, there was a specific burea for blacks that african americans enlisted into. Recruitment was slow until many efforts were made to enlist black volunteers. Frederick Douglass encouraged free african americans to enlist by giving the idea of freedom and equal rights coming along with joining the military. history.net.com