Letters

Black history is American history that we recognize all year long. I thought I’d share some more American history.

Did you know that, as the Civil War neared its end, Union General William Sherman had been convinced that newly emancipated slaves needed their own land to secure their freedom? He issued Special Field Order No. 15, setting aside 400,000 coastal acres of land (waterfront property) for Black families, stating that “no white person whatever, unless military officers and soldiers detailed for duty, will be permitted to reside.” A provision was added later for mules, which I found rather interesting.

But in three months’ time, the potential of Sherman’s order vanished with a single shot. That April, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, and in the fall President Andrew Johnson reversed Sherman’s order, allowing Confederate planters to regain the land.

An article stated: “It demonstrated a ruthless appropriation that would be repeated for decades to come.”

This is American history.

Brenda Simmons

Founder/Executive Director

Southampton African American Museum