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On the eve of the Civil War, a nation once created on the idea that all men are created equal was completely divided on this same founding principle. Following the election of President Abraham Lincoln in 1860, the once loyal and united nation of America began to crumble. Many states began to secede from the Union of the United States after Lincolns election beginning with South Carolina. Soon after, North Carolina seceded on May 20, 1861. The secession of these southern states, along with the rest of the Deep South resulted in the Civil War; a war fought to preserve the Union which ultimately morphed into a battle over slavery. The southern states formed the Confederacy, whose goals were to preserve slavery for agrarian purposes and gain their freedom from the rest of the Union. In North Carolina, there was an apparent divide between Confederate and Union supporters. More specifically, in Eastern North Carolina there was a strong sense of southern nationalism, which resulted in a difficult decision for white residents regarding a choice between the Union or the Confederacy. Following the outbreak of the Civil War, President Lincoln stationed Union soldiers all throughout the South, effectively overtaking confederate cities. Although residents loyalty towards the confederacy began to dwindle, as political and economic gains within the Union became apparent, the legacy of racism, southern nationalism, and commitment to slavery present in Craven and Carteret counties prevented this shift from occurring.
The military occupation of eastern North Carolina began with General Burnsides expedition to New Bern, North Carolina, a major railroad and trade center on the river. This marked what would begin a three-year presence of the military in eastern North Carolina. Once occupation began, both whites and blacks attempted to join either the Union or Confederacy. Wealthy white residents of these two counties in eastern North Carolina often were motivated to join the Confederacy for financial and **property reasons. In contrast, blacks and poor residents of eastern North Carolina chose to remain loyal to the Union; they took advantage of the economic and social opportunities that the support of the Union provided to them. The presence of the federal government and soldiers in Craven and Carteret counties resulted in an attempt for the white and black residents to discover a new social and political identity. These residents constantly debated their loyalties in order to discover which agenda provided them the best sense of southern nationalism, while simultaneously achieving new economic and political goals.
Prior to Lincolns election in 1860, the United States government and the public were in disagreement surrounding the issue of slavery. Politically, there was a clear divide between the Democrats, Republicans, and smaller third parties. Those who felt strongly about abolition and the anti-expansion of slavery often identified as Republicans, whereas those who were pro-slavery identified as Democrats. Despite his status as a Republican, Lincoln did not run for President or declare war on the southern states on the basis of abolition. He claimed to be solely focused on the preservation of the Union and against the expansion of slavery, rather than ending slavery where it had long existed. Lincoln believed that, following the start of the war, he would be able to win North Carolinians support by sending soldiers to Craven and Carteret counties. However, President Lincoln put too much faith in the southern residents and overestimated the ability of Union soldiers. Many black residents took advantage of the economic, social, and political opportunities that came with loyalty to the Union, but white North Carolinians were angered by the Unions social views. Because of this, many white residents chose to side with the Confederacy.
In response to North Carolinas secession, Lincoln chose to send soldiers to various areas in North Carolina to secure control over the area and hopefully win back the support of the Union. As Union soldiers arrived in New Bern on March 14, 1862, commanded by General Ambrose Burnside, the town experienced tremendous chaos known as The Battle of New Bern. The Confederates, led by General Branch, were outnumbered by Union soldiers. General Branch, positioned his militia in the least protected area; where the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad ran to New Bern from Morehead City. The militia line fractured, and with confusion, some Confederate units retreated while others kept fighting. After the retreat of the Confederate soldiers, many residents packed up and left the city in order to avoid control by the Union army. In response, many Union soldiers and local African Americans ransacked the homes of the residents who had fled. When word of this intolerable behavior got to General Burnside, he put into place martial law to end the invasion of private residences by soldiers or civilians. Burnside hoped to protect native interests and did not seek to confiscate property, including slaves.
After Burnside and his army forced the Confederate soldiers out of Craven and Carteret counties, many residents debated on whether to switch their support to the Union, only hindered by their desire for the protection of slavery by the federal government. In a constant social or economic battle, many residents were forced to choose a side upon the arrival of Union soldiers. Most businessmen, but not all, in these areas cleverly chose to ally with the Union in order to protect their property and livelihood. But, the choice did not come without debate. James Rumley, a secessionist and avid diary writer, argues that residents of eastern North Carolina based their loyalties on what was best for the stability of economics and homelife. The residents displayed their principles on military occupation in a way that would protect their possessions, including slaves. The men who joined the Confederacy had an attachment to the culture, history, and social system of the South. In great frustration, Rumley writes, The soldiers go, without hesitation, into the kitchens among the negroes and encourage them to leave their owners. Some of them have been seen promenading the streets with negro wenches. Infuriated by the Unions attempt to give the blacks an opportunity, many southern nationalists, including Rumley, chose to side with the Confederates. Admit the protection of slavery by the federal government, residents of Craven and Carteret counties continued to support the racist ideals of the Confederacy.
Likewise, James Rumley argues that there was not enough regulation on the blacks who were set free after the arrival of the Union soldiers. Before the Emancipation Proclamation was established, slaves were forced to obey their masters and were stripped of their humanity, physically and mentally. For example, in 1850, the Fugitive Slave Act required the return of runaway slaves to their masters regardless of whether or not they were found outside their master’s hometowns. However, a decade later, the Emancipation Proclamation, which gave blacks more freedom, and the arrival of soldiers in eastern North Carolina angered many of the Confederate residents, including James Rumley. In his diary, he declared, Slaves are now deserting in scores from all parts of the country, and our worst fears on this subject are likely to be realized. The order which General Burnside promised to make, to prevent them from entering his lines, has not been made. His lying proclamation was a Yankee trick. These runaway Negroes are allowed to pass the sentinels at any time, even at night. Upon the arrival of the Union military, blacks were motivated to enlist in the Union army. But, as seen in Rumleys diary entries, many residents strongly opposed the enlistment of blacks. Local whites and even some Union soldiers were against black enlistment. They continued to exercise their racist views even though they claimed to be anti-slavery and liberal. However, in order to obtain a social identity, blacks enlisted in colored regiments of the Union army exhibiting manhood and taking advantage of their newly found freedom. But, their freedom to participate in the army did not come without resistance. Residents of New Bern held rallies against black enlistment. The arrival of Union soldiers and the opportunity to take part in the Civil War intensified racism in eastern North Carolina by adding more fuel to the pro-slavery fire.
During the midst of the war, almost all whites in Craven and Carteret counties had racist ideals, even those who were part of the Union. It was clear that all whites saw themselves as more humane than blacks whether or not they portrayed themselves as a supporter of the Emancipation Proclamation. Even General Burnside, a clear Union supporter, discussed the lives of blacks in a racist way. He proclaims, …after the enemy & citizens fled from the town, were committed by the negroes, before our troops reached the city- They seemed to be wild with excitement and delight- they are now a source of very great anxiety to us; the city is being overrun with fugitives from surrounding towns and plantations. In the midst of the Civil War, racism persisted throughout the South. Burnside originally believed that the blacks would be a beneficial source to the Union military. But like many other whites, Confederate or Unionist, he failed to see past the color of a mans skin. Although Burnside identified as a proponent of Lincolns ideals, even he was unable to overlook the racist mindset he had always known. The freedom of blacks to enlist in the military and live without a watchful eye led to protests by whites in Craven and Carteret counties. In contrast to white protests, many blacks were grateful for the Union soldiers’ efforts in Craven and Carteret counties. They were hopeful and joyous at the arrival of the Union soldiers. Envisioning a new life of freedom, blacks remained confident that the Union soldiers would provide them with a new outlook on a free civilization. Blinded by their opportunities, blacks could not see that these white Union soldiers were still racist. With a racist mindset in place, it was impossible for the residents who lived by these ideals to accept the Union.
In addition to the mental destruction of blacks in North Carolina, physical abuse prevailed throughout these areas. In the South, lynching was commonly used as an active form of racism. Due to the lack of civil rights for blacks during the time of the Union occupation, lynching had very little opposition in Craven and Carteret counties. During the 1860s, there were approximately forty-five lynchings reported in eastern North Carolina. After the Emancipation Proclamation, white North Carolinians lost the control they previously had over their slaves. In order to maintain some form of control and fulfill the attachment to southern culture, southerners stayed with the Confederacy. Lynching, obviously rooted in racism, was the most common physical abuse and fear tactic used to assert whites dominance over blacks.
In response to the continuous control exerted by whites, blacks attempted to assert their right to independence and freedom often resulting in physical punishment. Captain William B. Fowle, the head of the military police in Carteret county, recounted an incident when a woman attempted to gain her daughter back who was unlawfully still enslaved. He writes, Mr. Davis and Mr. Rieger together tied the women to a tree[,] her arms over her head[,] and then whipped her severely, the flesh on her arms where the ropes went so badly lacerated and her arms covered with blood when I saw her – she was only released upon the peremptory order of a private of the 9th N. Jersey, who says the treatment was very cruel – Her crime was that she demanded her daughter whom Mr. Davis retained in slavery; she is a smart intelligent woman and quite capable of supporting herself and her children. Blacks had been given the right to assert themselves as members of the community. As chief of the military police, Fowle was responsible for arresting Mr. Davis and Mr. Rieger, who had unlawfully beaten a woman who did not incriminate herself. Contrary to popular belief, many white Unionists still wanted some form of power over blacks. For example, Capt. Fowle did not immediately arrest Mr. Davis and Mr. Rieger, because they were seen as prominent Unionists leaders. Despite identifying as Unionists, many residents continued to practice Confederate social ideals because of the racism ingrained in their minds.
In contrast to those southerners who were reluctant to join the Union, some were quick to take up this economic and political opportunity. Many poor whites and blacks acknowledged that it was logistically superior to join the Union army to improve their physical and familial conditions. For example, by joining the Union army there was more opportunity for food, clothing, shelter, and land, especially for blacks. Many blacks sought employment in order the opportunity to own land. They took advantage of the Union armies’ need for labor. The opportunity to work provided blacks with financial freedom, as well as a feeling of being involved in the community. Abraham Galloway, a prominent black leader in eastern North Carolina, practiced resilience in his attempt to better his own living situation and the lives of many other blacks in the South. Although there are not any documents written by Galloway, as he was illiterate, historians described him as a former slave and militant activist who bettered the lives of many blacks in North Carolina. In addition to poor whites and blacks, some federal officials were also concerned with restoring a new type of Union, one that was politically, economically, and most important socially equal. Although there were some residents concerned with the lives of blacks, by the end of the war, it was still clear that racist ideals motivated most of the residents of Craven and Carteret counties. But the Unions resilience was enough to put the Union back together politically and economically, not necessarily socially.
Although the Union occupation of North Carolina ended with the end of the Civil War in 1865, the attempt to reject Reconstruction showed the racist ideals of remaining loyal to the Confederacy. During the time period known as Reconstruction, many white supremacist groups attempted to restore their power over the blacks in North Carolina. In a Harpers Weekly news article, a Republican writer states, The long training and cherished tradition of an ignorant people whose passions are inflamed by skillful and designing leaders are not extinguished in one unsuccessful struggle. The American who supposes this civil contest to be ended because Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House is as wise as the Englishman who should have supposed the civil war in England to end with the return of Charles II. We have reached a certain period in the struggle that is all. It ascends from the battlefield to the Legislature, but it is the same combat and of the same scope. Even after Lincoln had restored the Union and abolished slavery, racism was still apparent throughout the South. A handshake between General Lee, commander of the Confederacy, and General Grant, commander of the Union, would not end the racial tensions in the South. Although the fighting ended, there was still much to be dealt with in regard to the federal government. North Carolinas attempt to reject Reconstruction showed just how racist the whites living in this area were. In 1866, former Confederate General Nathon Bedford Forrest took over the Ku Klux Klan. Throughout eastern North Carolina, there were many derogatory actions towards blacks such as lynching, destruction of property, and shooting. With the continuous presence of racism in North Carolina after the Civil War, it was apparent that the fight for equality had not ended with the handshake of General Lee and General Grant.
Reluctant to join the Union, white residents of Craven and Carteret counties could not see past the racist ideals driven by southern nationalism and the previous power they had over blacks. Wealthy white men were adamant about the protection of slavery by the federal government. Contrary to popular belief, even Union-identified residents who promoted Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation such as General Burnside, felt as though they deserved some type of control of blacks living in eastern North Carolina. Residents of these areas organized protests against the North and Union soldiers advocating for stricter laws for blacks. They put aside their economic motivations solely to continue to practice mental and physical dehumanization toward the blacks living in these communities. Currently, about 160 years later, there is still a clear divide between races in Craven and Carteret counties. In 2019, the United States Census Bureau reported that 71.7% of Craven County’s population is white while only 21.5% is black. In the 1860s, blacks made up approximately one-third of Craven Countys population. As shown explicitly in statics, the ratio of blacks to whites has stayed far too consistent since the 1860s. Reverend John Pierce, a resident of Craven county for the entirety of his life states, I think we are going backward (in race relations). Really, were no better, in my opinion, than perhaps the 60s. At the present time, residents of eastern North Carolina are still motivated by racist ideals learned from a young age. There is still a definite divide between blacks and whites in Craven and Carteret counties. Although Lincolns Emancipation ended slavery in the South and the Union was reestablished at the end of the Civil War, the social divide between blacks and whites in Craven and Carteret counties at this time will forever impact race relations in eastern North Carolina.
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