Physician John Van Surly DeGrasse, c. 1863 Commissioned physician with the Union Army during the Civil War- was the first African American to be admitted to a United states medical society.

At the age of 15 DeGrasse enrolled in Oneida Institute in New York. He later studied medicine at Aubuk College in Paris. De Grasse received his medical degree with honors from the Bowdoin College’s Medical School of Maine in Brunswick in May 1849. With his graduation he became the second African American to receive a medical diploma in the United States.

Volunteering for the Union Army, he received a commission as assistant surgeon with the 35th United States Colored Infantry, one of only three African American physicians to do so. He was the only black surgeon to serve in the field with his regiment in South Carolina and one of only eight to serve in the Union Medical Corps. After the war DeGrasse returned to his practice in Boston. He received a gold-hilted sword from Massachusetts Governor John A. Andrew in appreciation of his service during the conflict. John Van Surly DeGrasse died on November 25, 1868 in Boston from unknown causes. He was 43.

Unidentified African American Woman-African American women contributed significantly in the Civil War-Instances of Several Black Women Soldiers.

While it is estimated that there were perhaps four hundred or so women soldiers in the Civil War, there are also instances of several black women soldiers. Lizzie Hoffman, reportedly enlisted in the 45th U.S. Colored Infantry. Martha Lewis is a black woman who disguised herself as a white man and served for eight months in the 8th New York Cavalry. Immediately following the war, Cathay Williams (aka “William Cathay”) enlisted and served in the 38th U.S. Infantry ( a black regiment with white officers) for two years. Cathay was 5’ 9” tall, had black hair, a black complexion and black eyes, according to the description of her recruiting officer, who failed to notice that she was also a woman. She may have been the first black woman to serve in the U.S. Regular Army and as a Buffalo Soldier. 

Read more here: http://www.examiner.com/article/african-american-women-contributed-significantly-the-civil-war

Photo from -Ambrotype/Tintype filing series (Library of Congress) (DLC) 2010650518 Liljenquist Family collection (Library of Congress) (DLC) 2010650519

The word you're looking for, ladies and gents, is BAMF.

Union officer with “contraband”, 1862

James F. Gibson stereograph titled Cumberland Landing, Virginia. Group at Mr. Foller’s farm. Liberated slaves were treated as ”contraband” or captured property at this time. The confiscation act of 1861 allowed seizing Confederate property but did not clarify the fate of captured slaves. One Union general gained notoriety for general order No. 11 which freed all slaves in areas under his control. President Lincoln countermanded this order amid concerns of the political consequences in four slave holding border states that remained in the Union. Two months after this image was taken President Lincoln proposed the emancipation proclamation, which freed slaves in Confederate territories only.

www.loc.gov/pictures/item/cwp2003005950/PP/ .

Can we just stop for a second and remember that the Civil War was way less about freeing the slaves and way more about just making sure the country stayed in one piece? Also, just because they were Union didn’t mean they weren’t total and utter assholes?

Grendel attended what they call a “minority-majority” elementary school, and the trufax about the Civil War was a huge sticking point. I’m so serious. Heaven help you if you gave Lincoln majority credit for freeing the slaves in front of my 5th grade teacher. Ms. Joy would have talked your ear off and probably taken away your recess.

I am considering doing a nitty-gritty Civil War rant in honor of her, matter of fact.