How did they get there? African Americans were able to fight in the war even though the slave owners from the sought and even the northerners were hesitant. The Southerners had to use the slaves because their army was getting very small. The Northerners had the same situation but their army wasn't as small as the southerners. The African Americans were able to fight because of the Emancipation Proclamation which says that "such persons of suitable condition, will be received into the armed services of the United States..." This means that if they are able to get harmed that badly and have to be under such horrible conditions then they have the right to fight in the