JOURNAL ARTICLE

Off Duty: Black Soldiers and Mobility in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands 1866–1890.

Published In: Western Historical Quarterly, 2023, v. 54, n. 2. P. 103 1 of 3
Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3
Authored By: Edward Jr., Valentin 3 of 3

Abstract

This article focuses on the off-duty economic and social interactions of Black soldiers in the U.S. Army during the post-Civil War era, particularly in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. It explores how these soldiers developed complex relationships with local civilians that crossed geographic, racial, and ethnic boundaries, challenging traditional views of their roles as enforcers of U.S. expansion and border control. Using transcripts from U.S. Army general courts-martial, the article reveals how these interactions influenced Black soldiers' self-perceptions and experiences of army life. These relationships often conflicted with official military objectives but provided Black troops with opportunities to enhance their lives and highlight the fluid nature of the southwestern border region.

Additional Information

Source:Western Historical Quarterly. 2023/06, Vol. 54, Issue 2, p103
Document Type:Article
Subject Area:Military History and Science
Publication Date:2023
ISSN:0043-3810
DOI:10.1093/whq/whad039
Accession Number:163318770
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