Scandal of patriotism: The forgotten contributions of Michigan's Native Americans, women, and African-Americans during the Civil War

The contributions of Michigan's Native Americans, women, and African-Americans contributions in the Civil War were forgotten in the state's history. Women began administering to the sick and wounded when the war broke out in 1861. In 1863, with the call for more troops, the Native Americans and African-Americans enlisted for numerous reasons, fulfillment of past treaties, civil liberties, and assisting the wounded and sick soldiers. They endured hardships before with their scandalous inclusion in the war effort, during the war with fellow soldiers and officers, and after the war with the conditions they returned home to. Through the use of primary sources such as letters, diaries, journals, and memoirs as well as traditional secondary sources, this paper is an attempt to record their reasons for helping the Union, how they served whether in battle or in societies and organizations, and upon their return, if their service aided them in their quest for improved conditions.