Life — August 18, 1887 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Explanation of the Cartoon This is a Civil War-era satirical cartoon from *Life* magazine (circa 1863). The image depicts Union soldiers with an American flag, apparently encountering or confronting Black soldiers or freedmen. The caption references Colonel Richardson of the Washington Artillery writing to Secretary Beveridge about colored troops being permitted at an international encampment. The dialogue at bottom—"NEGRO SOLDIER: 'CAN'T COME IN, EH?' SAY, BOSS, DOES YO' 'MEMBAH DEM TIMES?' YO' WAS GIT ENOU[GH]"—appears to satirize the exclusion of Black soldiers from integrated military spaces, while suggesting ironic role reversal or commentary on racial discrimination within the Union Army. The cartoon seems to critique racial prejudice within the military during the Civil War period, when the participation and recognition of Black soldiers remained controversial.