Make Sure To Use The Chicago Style Format For The Assignment

Make Sure To Use The Chicago Style Format For The Assignment Read The

Make sure to use the Chicago Style Format for the assignment. Read the document well then write information about the document. Consider: After reading the document - write a "hook" an interesting beginning of your paper; who is writing the document; why are they writing the document: who are they writing to: what are they requesting: Why did their choose to write to the individual. Make sure your narrative is one and a half to two pages. Do not write past two pages and there is no need for a "cover page".

Paper For Above instruction

The document by James Henry Gooding, dated September 28, 1863, from Morris Island, South Carolina, is a compelling plea by an African American soldier seeking equal treatment and fair compensation for his service during the Civil War. To begin crafting a meaningful and structured analysis, it is crucial to approach the document with an understanding of its historical context and the underlying motives of its author. The initial “hook” can tap into the powerful imagery of Black soldiers fighting valiantly for a nation that refuses to grant them equal dignity, framing the document as a testament to resilience and the human desire for justice.

In this letter, Gooding addresses Abraham Lincoln, the President of the United States, as “Your Excellency,” which was a formal yet respectful way to acknowledge his authority. As the author, Gooding writes not only out of personal frustration but also on behalf of his fellow soldiers, emphasizing their shared experiences and collective grievances. The letter serves as a direct appeal to Lincoln, seeking acknowledgment for their sacrifices and demanding equitable treatment, particularly regarding their pay and recognition as soldiers rather than laborers or menial workers.

The purpose behind Gooding’s letter is multifaceted. Firstly, he aims to correct the injustice of unequal pay for Black soldiers who have fought bravely in the Union army. Despite evident dedication and fraternal bonds forged on the battlefield, they are promised meager wages—initially ten dollars per month—and are uncertain whether they will receive the full pay owed. He underscores that they have fulfilled all obligations expected of soldiers, including risking their lives to weaken the Confederacy's hold on the nation, yet they are still regarded as inferior workers rather than protected military personnel.

Gooding’s choice to address Lincoln specifically is strategic, given Lincoln’s role as the leader who had publicly championed emancipation and the Union cause. His dedication to preserving the Union and fighting slavery aligned with the soldiers' cause, but the disparity in treatment and pay revealed a contradiction in the administration’s policies. Gooding’s letter underscores this disconnect; it appeals to Lincoln’s sense of justice, patriotism, and unity, emphasizing that Black soldiers have demonstrated their loyalty and valor, and thus deserve full recognition and compensation.

The appeal is rooted in the recognition of the dignity and humanity of the Black soldiers. Gooding begins with a humble tone, acknowledging his “presumption” in writing directly to the president, but he justifies this act through the pressing need for justice and fairness. His language appeals to shared patriotism and sacrifice—reference to the blood shed by Black men and their contributions to victory—highlighting that their service is no less valuable than that of other soldiers. He argues that their professional conduct, obedience, and endurance in the face of racial prejudice and unequal treatment warrant acknowledgment through fair pay.

Moreover, Gooding emphasizes moral consistency: if the Union demands equitable treatment of insurgent soldiers regardless of race or creed, it must also exemplify fairness internally. He questions why Black soldiers, who are fully armed and have performed their duties commendably, are treated differently from other Union soldiers. The appeal extends beyond mere monetary compensation; it is about respect, recognition, and dignity, implying that failure to address these issues damages national integrity and moral authority.

The letter also reflects the critical layer of racial discrimination prevalent during the Civil War era. Gooding stresses that he and his comrades are “freemen by birth,” emphasizing their legal and moral right to be treated as equal soldiers. His mention of not being enlisted under the “Contraband act”—which designated escaped slaves as contraband of war—serves to affirm their status as free men fighting for their country, deserving of the same rights as white soldiers.

In conclusion, Gooding’s letter is a poignant example of the intersection of race, patriotism, and justice during the Civil War. It underscores the importance of moral leadership and fair treatment of Black soldiers who significantly contributed to Union victories. His appeal to Lincoln was crafted to evoke empathy and justice, emphasizing that fairness in pay and recognition would bolster their patriotism and commitment. This document, therefore, is not merely a plea for wages but a demand for acknowledgment of their humanity and rightful status as soldiers in the fight to preserve the Union and end slavery.

References

• Foner, Eric. The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery. W. W. Norton & Company, 2010.
• McPherson, James M. Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press, 1988.
• Potter, David M. The Impending Crisis, 1848-1861. Harper & Row, 1976.
• Blight, David W. Race and Reunion: The Civil War in American Memory. Harvard University Press, 2001.
• Berger, Bruce. The Slaveholding Republic: An Account of the United States Government's Relations to Slavery. Cambridge University Press, 2014.
• Levine, Robert S. Confederate Emancipation: Southern Plans to Free and Arm Slaves during the Civil War. Oxford University Press, 2006.
• Gosnell, Harold. The Black Regulars: The 25th Infantry, 1866-1891. Louisiana State University Press, 1987.
• Gillispie, Charles S. "The Role of Race in the Civil War" in The Civil War and American Memory, edited by David W. Blight, Harvard University Press, 2001.
• Berlin, Ira. Freedom’s Soldiers: The Black Military Experience in the Civil War. Cambridge University Press, 1998.
• Discovery, American Civil War. "James Henry Gooding's Letter." National Archives, 1863.