---
title: Men of Color to Arms! 1863
author: Frederick Douglass
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20865/men-of-color-to-arms-1863/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2025-08-27
---
# Men of Color to Arms! 1863
_Authored by Frederick Douglass_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20865.jpg)
## Image Caption
*Men of Color To Arms! To Arms!*, broadside by [Frederick Douglass](https://www.worldhistory.org/Frederick_Douglass/), Philadelphia, 1863.
African-Americans played a crucial role in the Union [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) effort during the [American Civil War](https://www.worldhistory.org/American_Civil_War/); in fact, 10 percent of all Union forces were Black (186,000 army and 29,000 navy). Broadsides like these were part of a larger effort by abolitionists, Union war leaders, and local communities to encourage African-American men to enlist in the Northern army.
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and [Culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/culture/), Washington, D.C.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Douglass, F. (2025, August 27). Men of Color to Arms! 1863. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Douglass, Frederick. "Men of Color to Arms! 1863." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 27, 2025. .
### MLA
Douglass, Frederick. "Men of Color to Arms! 1863." *World History Encyclopedia*, 27 Aug 2025, .
## License & Copyright
[Original image](https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2012.133) by **Frederick Douglass**. Submitted by [Joshua J. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/JPryst/ "User Page: Joshua J. Mark"), published on 27 August 2025. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.