Scott, D. (1999). Camp William Penn's black soldiers in blue. America's Civil War., 12(4), 44-50.

       After the Emancipation Proclamation, may free black slaves enlisted in the Union Army at Camp William Penn. This journal article provides an overview of their training at the Camp, the racism they experienced from the community and their bravery during battle. It gives detailed examples of discrimination the soldiers faced from the Philadelphia citizens as well as from some of their own commanding officers. The theme running through the article is that while black troops were an important part of the military, they faced significant racism even as they attempted to fight for the northern cause.

     I chose this source because it discusses the conditions of the largest training facility for ex-slave soldiers and so provides one basis by which to judge the treatment of black soldiers during the Civil War. It is helpful because it depicts discrimination faced by the soldiers and gives them a voice, even including some quotes from the soldiers. This source was unique in that it described the citizen reaction to having black soldiers in their midst. It helped shape my argument because it shows that racism existed not only in the South, but also in the North and within the military, proving that African American soldiers faced an uphill struggle even as they assisted the Union's victory.

(note that the above annotation should be completely double-spaced)