What was the Chaplain describing that was happening among former slaves in Arkansas? How did the Confederate Chippewa view these marriages? How did former slaves view the Civil War?

Question

Chaplain of an Arkansas Black Regiment to the Adjutant General of the ArmyLittle Rock Ark Feb 28th 1865

The movements of the 54th during the month has interfered to some extent with our Sabbath services; and has also, rendered it impracticable to continue the day school. On reaching this post from, Ft Smith, the Regt was divided, and five companies sent out towards Brownsville, to guard the Rail Road. These have been ordered back to Little Rock and the ten companies, are now camped, on the north side of the river, doing guard, & provost, duty in & around Little Rock: As soon as a building can be procured, I design to open a day school for such as are disposed to attend.

Weddings, just now, are very popular, and abundant among the Colored People. They have just learned, of the Special Order No' 15. of Gen Thomas by which, they may not only be lawfully married, but have their Marriage Certificates, Recorded; in a book furnished by the Government. This is most desirable; and the order, was very opportune; as these people were constantly loosing their certificates. Those who were captured from the “Chepewa”; at Ivy's Ford, on the 17th of January, by Col Brooks, had their Marriage Certificates, taken from them; and destroyed; and then were roundly cursed, for having such papers in their posession. I have married, during the month, at this Post; Twenty five couples; mostly, those, who have families; & have been living together for years. I try to dissuade single men, who are soldiers, from marrying, till their time of enlistment is out: as that course seems to me, to be most judicious.

The Colord People here, generally consider, this war not only; their exodus, from bondage; but the road, to Responsibility; Competency; and an honorable Citizenship– God grant that their hopes and expectations may be fully realized. Most Respectfully

Answer 1

Ex slaves desired the full benefits and responsibilities of citizenship, as indicated at the end of the communication, and by the fact that there was a great desire among them to attain an education, as indicated by the push to build schools. The actions of the Chippewa indicates that acceptance of the freedmen was not going to be automatic among all segments of the US population. It also indicated that there would be a certain amount of racism encountered from various elements of American society. The Chippewa indicated that tey did not want intermarriage with the ex slaves. Also, it indicated that at least one element of the Native American population had very strong nationalistic leanings, or at the very least they saw themselves as a distinct element within the American population, as indicated by their reluctance to mix their genetics with others.