Richard Poplar facts for kids

Richard Poplar was a free black man who worked as a cook for the 12th Virginia Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War. This regiment was part of William Mahone's group of soldiers. Years later, in the 20th century, a special day was held in Petersburg, Virginia, to remember Richard Poplar and his story.

Life During the Civil War

In February 1862, the state of Virginia passed a law. This law said that local courts had to make all free black men between 18 and 50 years old work for the state. These men were forced to do manual labor. Richard Poplar was signed up for this work on July 1, 1862.

Captured as a Prisoner

During the war, Richard Poplar was captured by Union forces. This happened in either 1863 or 1864. He was held as a prisoner of war for over a year at the Point Lookout prison camp.

A writer and former Confederate officer named William E. Cameron later became the governor of Virginia. He wrote about Poplar's time in prison. Cameron said that Poplar was offered his freedom if he joined the Union Army. But Poplar "refused persistently," meaning he kept saying no. He insisted he was a Confederate soldier, even though he wasn't officially one.

Cameron also wrote that Poplar was offered an oath of allegiance to the Union. This oath would have allowed him to leave prison. Many white prisoners took this offer, but Poplar refused it too. He stayed on the prison list until the war ended. When the war was over, he was officially released.

Loyalty and Support

It is said that Richard Poplar's strong loyalty to his fellow prisoners helped save some of their lives. When the war ended, Poplar found it hard to return to a normal life. However, his old friends from the army and prison understood his struggles. They supported him. When he passed away, he was buried with special honors.

Confederate records, put together by Edward Schoenberger, show that Poplar was listed as a private in Company H of the 13th Cavalry.

Richard Poplar was known for being a good friend to the Confederate soldiers. However, he did not seem to treat enslaved black people with the same kindness.

Why Was He Loyal?

Some people might find Richard Poplar's loyalty to the Confederacy surprising. Enslaved black people had no power or rights in Virginia. Yet, the Confederate cause that Poplar served did not allow free black people to vote, hold public office, or speak against a white person in court.

Free black people like Richard Poplar had very little help or protection from the government. Some found safety and support from white family members or people they knew in their local community.

Professor Ervin L. Jordan Jr. is an expert on black people who were involved with the Confederacy. He wrote a book called "Black Confederates and Afro-Yankees in Civil War Virginia." Groups that honor Confederate history often quote his work.

In 2017, Professor Jordan was asked about Richard Poplar. He explained that people like Poplar were not necessarily heroes. Instead, they were trying different ways to survive. He noted that some free black people and enslaved people hoped that by helping the Confederacy, they might keep or gain their freedom if the South won the war.

Death and Legacy

Richard Poplar was a widower (meaning his wife had passed away). He died on May 25, 1886, in Petersburg, Virginia. He was buried in Blandford Cemetery.

On the day he died, two different newspapers wrote about him. Both obituaries showed that people saw him as a very loyal servant. The Petersburg Index-Appeal newspaper, on May 23, 1886, said that he joined the army as a servant. It stated that he "remained faithfully attached" until he was captured at Gettysburg.

The Richmond Dispatch newspaper obituary said that while he "did not shoulder a musket or fight in the ranks," he served the soldiers of the Thirteenth Virginia Cavalry with great passion and loyalty.

In 2002 or 2003, a special day called Richard "Dick" Poplar Day was first held in Petersburg, Virginia. This day was part of a larger event to remember all the prisoners of war from that city.