Mainstream historians have long argued that there were no Black Confederate prisoners of war (POWs).  The evidence presented below from the Camp Chase (OH), Camp Morton (IN), and Point Lookout (MD) prisons points to a very different conclusion - - - and once again, these are principally northern (Union) and not southern (Confederate) primary sources.

1. Granville Moody's Autobiography (Commandant of Camp Chase (OH) Prison)

Granville Moody’s autobiography is revealing in that as early as March 1862, U.S. Major General Henry Halleck knew that there were Black Confederates bearing arms for the southern states - - - Halleck, under Moody’s custody, had them as prisoners and considered them as fighting loyally for the Confederacy.

Page 222-223 - Camp Chase, March 30, 1862.
Some three weeks since, I was present at an interview between Colonel Moody, commandant at this post, and one of the prisoners released on parole. During the conversation the inquiry was made, whether there would be any distinction drawn between the Negroes and the other prisoners. Colonel Moody replied that they were all alike prisoners of war, and would be so considered by him; that the same influence that would procure admittance to visit the white occupants of the prison, would also be necessary to hold communication with the black. I have also, both before and since the period referred to, heard Colonel Moody, in answer to similar inquiries, make substantially the same reply.

James Rodgers, Post Sergeant Major.

Page 224 - Camp Chase, March 31, 1862
No small measure of indignation was aroused in the public mind, in relation to the status of the "colored population" held in confinement at Camp Chase. The committee of the Senate, in their report upon the subject, propounded the inquiry, "Why are those Negroes there at all?" And the question was certainly a most appropriate one. It turned out, upon investigation, however, that they were placed there as prisoners of war - a position as dignified as that enjoyed by their masters. It was shown that the Negroes were taken as participants in the rebel cause, some with arms in their hands against our loyal troops, and against our flag, others aiding their rebel masters in camp duty. This being the case, they were sent by General Halleck to Camp Chase in the same category as their masters were; namely, as prisoners of war taken in battle.

2. Black Confederates at Camp Morton

Black Confederates also demonstrated loyalties based not on ownership, subservience or fear. The Confederate Burial Mound for Camp Morton, Indiana, at Indianapolis, Indiana, has bronze tablets which list the 1,616 Confederates who died at that camp. Among those names are 26 Black Southerners, seven Hispanic Southerners and six Indian Southerners.

At a time when those Black Confederates could have walked into the Camp Commander's office, taken a short oath and signed their name to walk out the gates free men obliged to no one, they chose instead to stay even unto death. Your understanding of that choice is likely nonexistent.

KENTUCKY

Christian, J. (Negro), Co. D, Morgan's 2nd Cavalry, d. 11/22/63
Vance, J.W. (Negro), CSA Mail Carrier, d. 3/14/64

MISSISSIPPI

Littleton, Solomon (Negro), 3rd Inf., d. /3/62

VIRGINIA

Mayo, Henry (Negro), Co. G 36th Inf., d. 3/23/62

UNKNOWN UNITS

Frazier, George (Negro), CSA, d. 1863

3. The Fall of Fort Fisher (NC) & Point Lookout (MD) Prison

Union forces recorded three of four Black Confederates as soldiers and took them as POWs, then paroled and exchanged them exactly as they did all other Confederates as found in North Carolina Troops, Volume I:

"When Fort Fisher fell to the Union troops in January, 1865, the following blacks are recorded [by Union forces] as being among the captured Confederates:

Charles Dempsey, Private, Company F, 36th NC Regiment (2nd NC Artillery), Negro. Captured at Fort Fisher January 15, 1865 and confined at Point Lookout, MD, until paroled and exchanged at Coxes Landing, James River, VA, February 14-15, 1865.

Henry Dempsey, Private, Company F, 36th NC Regiment (2nd NC Artillery), Negro. Captured at Fort Fisher January 15, 1865 and confined at Point Lookout, MD, until paroled and exchanged at Coxes Landing, James River, VA, February 14-15, 1865.

J. Doyle, Private, Company E, 40th NC Regiment (3rd NC Artillery), Negro. Captured at Fort Fisher January 15, 1865 and confined at Point Lookout, MD, until paroled and exchanged at Boulware's Wharf, James River, VA, March 16, 1865.

Daniel Herring, Cook, Company F, 36th NC Regiment (2nd NC Artillery), Negro. Captured at Fort Fisher January 15, 1865 and confined at Point Lookout, MD, until released after taking Oath of Allegiance June 19, 1865"

4.Black Confederate prisoners at Point Lookout, MD

The Black Confederates captured at Fort Fisher also appear on the rolls at Point Lookout Prison as do several other Black Confederates:

• Charles Dempsey 2nd NC Artillery, 36th Reg. Captured at Ft. Fisher

• Henry Dempsey 2nd NC Artillery, 36th Reg. Captured at Ft. Fisher

• J. Doyle 3rd NC Artillery, 40th Reg. Captured at Ft. Fisher

• Hall, Moses

• Daniel Herring 2nd NC Artillery, 36th Reg. Captured at Ft. Fisher

• Poplar, Dick, 13th VA Cav., CO H, captured at Gettysburg (July 1863), 20 months in Point Lookout

• Tate, Hampton. Free colored, blockade runner

• Un-named. Reported as colored man with Nicholas McGinnis

• Un-named. Three blacks crossing the Potomac River

• Yerby, Joe. Faithful colored cook died at Pt. Lookout (name not on monument)