There many casualties so the war needed more troops, African Americans were ready to volunteer, but not a lot of white soldiers agreed with this. Fredrick Douglass thought military service would help former slaves gain rights. Congress allowed African Americans to volunteer in the war in July 1862. War department gave contraband's the right to the Union Army in South Carolina. Spring of 1863, African American army units were proving themselves in combat. The 54th Massachusetts consisted mostly of former slaves. In July 1863 this unit led a heroic charge on Fort Wagner
The 54th took heavy fire and suffered many casualties in this failed operation. About half of the unit was killed or captured. The unit still acted bravely and nobly and with their enthusiasm they deserved a better fate. The bravery of the 54th made it the most celebrated African American unit of the war. About 180,000 African Americas served with the Union Army. They got $10 a month while whites got $13 a month. They were usually led by white officers. During battles, Confederstes often killed or sold their black captives. In the 1864 election, Lincoln suggested rewarding African Americans by giving them the right to vote