In the Burns video the issue of segregation in the US inilitary was raised, but not clearly defined. In fact, Truman ordered that all units be integrated for the first time since George Washington integrated his army during the Revolutionary War. This tale is told in both the stage play and the novel version of "The Ballad of Billy Lee." At first, the Continental Congress had ordered that "No Negroes, old men or boys unable to carry guns," shall be enlisted. But Washington changed his tune when militias left the army after short term enlistments and the problems of pathetic pay made recruitment difficult. He opened enlistment to freedmen, and eventually thousands of African-Americans fought in the American army -- but never any slaves.
10/16/2015 01:57:58 pm
Watch the dramatic series on AMC network TV called ""Turn, Washington's Spies", about espionage during the revolutionary war. There is a great depiction of Billy Lee with George Washington in several scenes. It would be great to see The Ballad of Billy Lee brought to the screen.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorLen Lamensdorf Archives
June 2016
Categories |