![]() ![]() The Red Rover, Naval History and Heritage Command Period of 18months as a “first class boy.” In 1890, she was grantedĪ pension of $12 a month. She had learned to read and writeĪnd proved that she had served in the service of the United States Navy for a The years after the war, Ann Bradford Stokes was left widowed and attempted to She met her future husband, Gilbert Stokes, aboard the ship while Shortly after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863,īegan training with Sisters of the Holy Cross on board. ![]() Was born into slavery in 1830 in Tennessee and was unable to read or write. Provides valuable insight into the lives of these navy nurses. Were enlisted as “first class boys,” and paid wages for their work.īradford Stokes has become the most famous of the group, and her example The first African American women to serve in the United States Navy. Rover were men, several also were employed on the hospital ship, becoming Most of the refugees who worked aboard the Red Ships in the Mississippi theater, contrabands – refugees from slavery who hadĬrossed into Union lines – worked as sailors. United States Navy was the most progressive service in the military at the time.Ĭrews in the Navy were racially integrated, unlike the units serving in the US Army. But for thoseĪfrican Americans, and there were a sizeable number working aboard the Red Rover and being cared for, this event must have been earth-shaking. This topic, the historical record is unfortunately silent. Honorable warfare that the Confederate pursed that of indiscriminate butchery.”Įstimates put the number of Union dead at Fort Pillow at between 150-200.ĭebates continue to fester over the event.įrom the horrors at Fort Pillow, it begs the question: What did the crew of the Many, must fall but at Fort Pillow I have every evidence that instead of Storming a fort where such desperate resistance is offered, that many, very Massacre at Fort Pillow, NYPLĪlso observed the aftermath inside the fort, where it was alleged thatĬonfederate soldiers provided no quarter for trapped black Union soldiers.īodies… and the 200 or more dead bodies, mangled, dying as they did, pleadingįor quarter…it has so sickened me that I can write no more. Of assistant surgeons had their wounds quickly dressed,” he wrote. Red Rover landed… and provided comfortable quarters for them and a little army ![]() One observer with the squadron operating along the Mississippi onĪpremarked on this work. Took on 20 severely wounded Confederate soldiers following the nightmare atįort Pillow. “all the buildings round the fort and the fort itself were on fire.” Red Rover and other support vessels watched helplessly from offshore as Most infamous example of this behavior took place at Fort Pillow. Recognize black troops as legitimate soldiers, and a number of massacres of Colored Heavy Artillery.įorrest and Confederate forces operating throughout the Civil War did not Half their number being members of the 6th U.S. Pillow and over-ran it on April 12, 1864. Under Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest attacked the garrison at Fort Fighting along the Mississippi River at Vicksburg, MS, Library of Congress By 1864, many African American regiments had begun service in the US Army. By this time, white and black soldiers were being treated aboard the Red Rover. By that time, she had served as a hospital ship at a number of famous battles near the Mississippi River, most notably at Vicksburg. In April 1864, the Red Rover accompanied vessels attempting to assist a US Army garrison at Fort Pillow, TN. Mercy on the Mississippi: Diversity on the Red Rover Hospital Ship Posted on: May 22nd, 2020 Museum members support scholarship like this.īy the spring of 1864, the USS Red Rover hospital ship had cared for wounded from some of the most intense fighting of the entire war, but it wasn’t done yet. ![]()
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