Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Date of Award

12-2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

History

First Advisor

Dr. Brian S. Butler

Second Advisor

Dr. Michael Faubion

Third Advisor

Dr. Charles V. Waite

Abstract

The Louisiana Native Guards are an appropriate topic for the study of the relationship between gender and race in Civil War era America. After Louisiana seceded in 1861, free men of color from New Orleans began an odyssey that led them to fight on both sides of the conflict. They eventually became the first black regiment mustered into the United States military and the only one to have black officers.

This study will attempt to demonstrate how the men of the Louisiana Native Guard helped redefine the nineteenth century ideas of manliness. Through their soldiering these men demonstrated qualities associated with manliness: courage, loyalty, and self discipline. The Louisiana Native Guard was an important military unit because their service helped change the federal governmental policy that barred African Americans from serving in the army. Furthermore, their service helped redefine American gender and racial identities.

Comments

Copyright 2006 Jeremy B. Taylor. All Rights Reserved.

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/utrgv.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/let-every-one-us-take-his-gun-put-himself-ranks/docview/304911942/se-2?accountid=7119

Granting Institution

University of Texas-Pan American

Included in

History Commons

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