For the first time,

         the government

             made African Americans

                 a part of the regular Army.

     Additionally,

         these men

             were the first

                  African American soldiers

                in any peacetime army.

     Initially,

          there were

               approximately 5,000 men

             in these units.

     The Civil War

          brought an end to slavery,

        and the primary reason

             many freed slaves enlisted

           was because they feared

                 they wouldn't find

                other employment.