John Tenniel, "The Black Conscription", September 26, 1863

John Tenniel, "The Black Conscription", September 26, 1863

This cartoon, pictured above, depicts African American soldiers in the American Civil War. Drawn in the Southerner perspective, the cartoon plays on humor and the ridiculousness of African American soldiers fighting in the war. Ultimately the cartoon argued that African American soldiers make as good of soldiers as whites. The cartoon exaggerates various characteristics of the two African Americans depicted, hinting that they were not fit to be soldiers. These men were probably slaves due to the way they carry themselves, their speech, and their physical attributes. The artist drew them with big lips with buck teeth standing improperly. Notably, the two men slurred and misspoke their words as if they were illiterate. This cartoon was targeted towards the southerners as many did not want African Americans to be conscripted in the military.

“The Black Conscription,” Britain Punch, September 26, 1863.

1863-26-09

Ballentine, Jay

Still Image

Britain

Cartoon

- Bress my heart how am you Jim?
- Dat you Jumbo? yeah, yeah!

- THE BLACK CONSCRIPTION.
- "When black meets black then comes the end(?) of War."