The subject of black Confederates is one of the most divisive and misunderstood subjects within the field of Civil War history. The recent scandal involving a fourth grade Virginia history textbook that included a reference to the service of thousands of black Confederate soldiers is not only a reflection of how pervasive this particular narrative has become, but it also demonstrates the challenges and dangers of using the Web as a research tool. This talk will present an overview of how the Confederate government utilized both slave labor and free blacks as well as an analysis of the evolution of the black Confederate narrative.
