Ebony Eyes: Teaching about African American Civil War Heroes through Art

Today, award-winning art depicting African American Civil War heroes resides in collections of private investors, historical societies, national archives, tourist bureaus, national parks, and museums, etc. Bass Reeves served in the Civil War and later became a U.S. marshal in the Oklahoma and East Texas territories, serving as one of the first Black federal lawmen west of the Mississippi.2 First Sgt. Moses Williams served in the Civil War and later joined the Ninth Cavalry, where he received the Medal of Honor during the Indian Wars.3 Master Sgt. George Goldsby served in the Civil War, then joined the 10th Cavalry and served at Fort Concho.4 First Sgt. William Carney was the first African American soldier to be awarded the Medal of Honor, in recognition of his service with the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in the Battle of Fort Wagner on Morris Island, South Carolina.5 In an effort to contribute to oral histories, we interviewed sculptor Eddie Dixon, and this is his story: Explore the various roles played by African American soldiers during the Civil War National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS): * Assist learners in developing historical research capabilities that enable them to formulate historical questions, obtain historical data, question historical data, identify the gaps in available records, place records in context, and construct sound historical interpretations; * Enable learners to develop historical comprehension in order that they might reconstruct the literal meaning of a historical passage; identify the central question(s) addressed in historical narrative; draw upon data in historical maps, charts, and other graphic organizers; and draw upon visual, literary, or musical sources; * Help learners to identify issues and problems in the past, recognize factors contributing to such problems, identify and analyze alternative courses of action, formulate a position or course of action, and evaluate the implementation ofthat decision; * Enable learners to develop historical understanding through the avenues of social, political, economic, and cultural history, and the history of science and technology; * Assist learners to apply an understanding of culture as an integrated whole that explains the functions and interactions of language, literature, the arts, traditions, beliefs and values, and behavior patterns.