There are a number of photos out there of these men. Were they slaves owned by the Officers they're pictured with ? "Liberated" slaves put to work ? If they were freemen, did the Government pay them ?

So much is made of Negro "body-servants," or "bodyguards" that went to the war with Confederates, and even at times were listed on regiment muster-rolls and became eligible for pensions, what if anything, was the difference, except what side they were on ?

What about Black cooks & teamsters duly enrolled on the muster-roll ? The Union 13th Tennessee Cavalry (the regiment that killed John Hunt Morgan,) had over 20 such men. A good number of them drew pensions for their service. Same with those in the Confederate Army, both freemen, & slaves. Why is one considered a soldier, and the other not ?

Glenn