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Writing this a.m. about the $112,292 the U.S. Army failed to pay refugees from slavery who labored to fortify the Nashville and @FortNegley during the Civil War.
That's close to $2 million today--never delivered to the Black communities of Middle Tennessee. #reparations 1/7
That's close to $2 million today--never delivered to the Black communities of Middle Tennessee. #reparations 1/7
In 1864, congress sent special commissioners to investigate why these men and their families were never paid.
Conclusions:
1) Army's lack of cash
2) “Extraordinary mortality” of laborers
3) Inconclusive military records
Conclusions:
1) Army's lack of cash
2) “Extraordinary mortality” of laborers
3) Inconclusive military records
For officers overseeing the fortifications of Nashville, lack of cash-on-hand and the death toll of Black men were related. $30,000 was estimated to pay the entire wage bill of $85,000 after it was estimated 600-800 refugees died during their labor.
As for the military records, Union officials refused payment to family members of deceased laborers, even if they possessed a certificate issued to their deceased relative.
The justification-- “...there is no one authorized to sign his name to the receipt-roll.” 4/7
The justification-- “...there is no one authorized to sign his name to the receipt-roll.” 4/7
Black men who survived the Civil War found their own testimony refuted when seeking back-pay, even when “corroborated by those who labored with them." 5/7
A full report of the Commissioners can be read here: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Senate_Documents_Otherwise_Publ_as_Publi/s4YFAAAAQAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 6/7
I want to lift up the work of @DrAngelaSutton and @learothawms for the way the daily work they do to connect Nashville’s past and present through @fortnegleydesc and #northnashville Heritage Project 7/7
