I found an interesting string on a message board concerning an african american cook (Sandy Jackson) who served in the Confederate Army from Mississippi. He actually drew a confederate pension. Surely he was recognized as a soldier if he drew a pension, a confederate pension at that. Please see the link to the message board dialogue.

http://history-sites.com/mb/cw/alcwmb/index.cgi?read=15724

And please read the letter contained in the attached link for Powers Calvary. At the end, the writer lists his "mess mates" who slept with him under the same blanket, drank buttermilk and chewed stingey green-tobacco. One of the men listed is the AA cook, Sandy Jackson.