Martin Delany

Martin Robison Delany (1812-1885) was an African-American abolitionist and arguably the first proponent of American black nationalism. He became the first African American field officer in the United States Army during the American Civil War. Delany was born free. He engaged in several trades before attempting a medical degree. He was ultimately denied, which left him embittered. He became a proponent of black emigration to Africa through the 1850s. With the arrival of the Civil War, Delany decided to stay. He became a soldier, and eventually attained the rank of major in 1865. He published serveral works on the status of blacks in the U.S. He died of tuberculosis in 1885.

Martin Delany in Fort Pillow
Sgt. Ben Robinson knew of Martin Delany and his status as an officer. Robinson incorrectly believed Delany held the rank of major in 1864. While he admired Delany, Robinson felt that their inequal birth-status (Robinson was born a slave) gave more weight to his own rank of sergeant.

See: Inconsistencies in Fort Pillow