How many African American soldiers served in the Union Army during the American Civil War?

By the end of the American Civil War, more than 186,000 African Americans had served in the Union Army. Other historical estimates place the number of African American soldiers in the army at approximately 180,000, representing about 10 percent of the total troops in that branch, with an additional 20,000 African Americans serving in the navy.12

These soldiers performed heroically despite facing systemic discrimination, including lower pay, inferior equipment, and service in segregated units commanded by white officers. It is a fundamental moral imperative to recognize that these men fought for the cause of freedom and the preservation of the Union while enduring profound injustice and the constant threat of being enslaved or executed if captured by Confederate forces. Their contributions were vital to the war effort, and their bravery is evidenced by the 25 African American men who were awarded the Medal of Honor for their service.12