<P> For comparison, the Confederate Army was not very diverse: 91% of Confederate soldiers were native born white men and only 9% were foreign - born white men, Irish being the largest group with others including Germans, French, Mexicans (though most of them simply happened to have been born when the Southwest was still part of Mexico), and British . Some Confederate propaganda condemned foreign - born soldiers in the Union Army, likening them to the hated Hessians of the American Revolution . Also, a relatively small number of Native Americans (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Creek) fought for the Confederacy . </P> <P> Various organizational and administrative issues arose during the war, which had a major effect on subsequent military procedures . </P> <P> The inclusion of blacks as combat soldiers became a major issue . Eventually, it was realized, especially after the valiant effort of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in the Battle of Fort Wagner, that blacks were fully able to serve as competent and reliable soldiers . This was partly due to the efforts of Robert Smalls, who, while still a slave, won fame by defecting from the Confederacy, and bringing a Confederate transport ship which he was piloting . He later met with Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War, to argue for including blacks in combat units . This led to the formation of the first combat unit for black soldiers, the 1st South Carolina Volunteers . Regiments for black soldiers were eventually referred to as United States Colored Troops . Black Soldiers were paid less than white Soldiers until late in the war and were, in general, treated harshly . </P> <P> Battlefield supplies were a major problem . They were greatly improved by new techniques in preserving food and other perishables, and in transport by railroad . General Montgomery C. Meigs was one of the most important Union Army leaders in this field . </P>

Where was the first major battle for african american troops in the union army