Vespasian (d. 1943) was a Confederate Negro. During the Great War, many of the white workers at Sloss Steel Foundry were sent to the front. In desperation, the company hired Vespasian and other blacks to replace them. Vespasian worked alongside Jefferson Pinkard. Vespasian impressed Pinkard with his skill and hard work. Briefly, Pinkard began reconsidering his ingrained belief in the inferiority of blacks.