When emotions take over : cases of non-regulatory behaviour of African American soldiers and their punishment during the Civil War in the light of the proceedings of General Courts-Martial

Despite the fact, that it has been over 160 years since the end of the Civil War, this conflict is still causing some emotions among the historians. It is mainly due to its complex character. The war was conducted simultaneously on several levels, and each one was an additional source of emotions. This article will focus on one of them in particular - i.e. in what way the race relations affected the behaviour of black soldiers during the Civil War, and to what extent we should consider discrimination as a contributing factor in cases of violation of army regulations. This issue will be investigated by analysing the proceedings of General Courts-Martial of the 9th Corps of the Army of the Potomac.