The Civil War is often seen as a conflict between white North and South over the freedom of African Americans. African American soldiers would fight on both sides of the war. The eventual acceptance of African Americans and their contributions to the Union Army would be critical to the success of the Union. African Americans were banned from enlisting in the Union Army in the early part of the Civil War. President Lincoln feared that African Americans in the military would convince some states, such as Missouri, to join the Confederacy. Once African American soldiers were able to enlist in the Union Army, they would contribute to nearly every major battle of the Civil War. 180,000 African Americans served in the Union Army in 163 different units, and 9,000 served as sailors in the Union Navy.1 President Lincoln stated, “Without the military aid of black freedmen, the war against the South would not have could have been won." 2African Americans were ready to enlist in the Union Army to fight slavery in the hope that military service would demonstrate their equality. Several states, including Louisiana, would raise volunteer regiments following the Militia Act of 1862 passed by Congress in July. The 1st Louisiana Native Guard was the first African American regiment in the Union Army.3 This regiment of United States Colored Troops (USCT) was officially raised in September 1862 and was assigned duties in October 1862. . Two more regiments would be raised in Kansas and South Carolina. The First Louisiana Native Guard was led by Major General Benjamin Butler, a white officer. The regiment was staffed by black captains and lieutenants. The regiments' first combat operation was the assault on Port Hudson, Louisiana, in May 1863. They lost 37 soldiers, ...... half the paper ...... of the James or Butler medal. The many contributions of African Americans in the Union Army were recognized by President Lincoln. Fredrick Douglass said, "Once the black man puts on the brass letters US, puts an eagle on his button, a musket on his shoulder, and bullets in his pockets, and there's no power on earth that can deny it." . he has earned the right of citizenship in the United States.”13 About 10 percent of the Union Army was African American. An estimated 40,000 African American soldiers died during the Civil War. Approximately twenty-five African Americans received the Medal of Honor. The valor and contributions of African Americans during the Civil War led the nation to unparalleled change. The heroism of those soldiers eventually led to the Constitution being amended to include voting and equal rights.