The USCT Chronicle

Newspaper Article Listing Black Union Soldiers Found in Freedmen's Bureau Papers

2016-12-08T09:57:00.000-08:00

In July 1867, the Bureau of Refugees, Freedman and Abandoned Lands also known as the Freedmen's Bureau, served communities in several fields offices in the state of Tennessee. In records from McMinnville Freedmen's Bureau office, it was a surprise to stumble upon a fascinating article from a daily newspaper from Nashville Tennessee, that had been clipped and put among bureau papers.

The Nashville Union and Dispatch was a daily publication, and the names of several dozen soldiers who served in the United States Colored Troops who were owed pay for their service was noted. If the soldier who enlisted did not survive the war, their widow, or heirs were called to step forward and make their claim.

Most documents from the Freedmen's Bureau itself are usually original hand written articles reflecting day to day business of the various offices. They often contain contracts, letters, complaints, marriage records and so much more. The notations are made by the staff that worked in the Bureau itself. What a surprise to find a clipping from the Nashville newspaper included among the papers from the McMinnville Tennessee field office.

The edition came from the July 6th issue of the Nashville Union and Dispatch. I was able to locate the exact edition from which the article was clipped. The notice appeared on page 2 of that edition, and the entire edition of the publication is contained on the Chronicling America site hosted by the Library of Congress.

Zooming in on the article for a much closer view, the names of the soldiers and qualifying widows are more visible and more easily read. I was impressed to see a list of names of black Union Army soldiers in the Nashville publication and found it surprising to have stumbled upon it among Freedmen's Bureau papers.

An Unexpected Surprise
A second surprise came when glancing through the list of names and finding the name of an ancestor, a great great uncle--my great grandfather's brother, Braxton Bass! Braxton Bass was also a brother of my Uncle Sephus Bass, who both served in the 111th US Colored Infantry, and to see Uncle Braxton's name among the soldiers listed was unexpected, and quite pleasing.

I have known for over 20 years about Braxton's service with the 111th US Colored Infantry, and I have had for many years both his Civil War Service Record, and his Civil War Pension File. I know about his life in the 1870s till his early death in 1879, and I also know details of the life of his widow Fannie.

But his years right after the the war are not known, and it was truly a surprise to see something from 1867 mentioning his name. Although not much more than a name appears, it still tells me that he was called to get his bounty payment 2 years after the war had ended, and that tiny piece of information reflects a small sliver of detail about him and his life near Nashville.

One of the many benefits of the Freedmen's Bureau records, is the fact that unique records are contained in the amazing collection. A newspaper article is one of the most unexpected holdings to find among the many gems of the bureau, but thankfully, the Bureau staff in McMinnville Tennessee included the names of the soldiers from the Nashville publication. It was noted by the staff that some of the men were actually from that community, therefore, the article was clipped and placed among bureau holdings.

Close Up of News Clipping Found in Article

Source for entire image:

Link HERE

I checked several additional names from the list, on the Civil War database hosted by the National Park Service. Some of the men were from the same unit that my Bass ancestors were part of, (the 111th US Colored Infantry) and I noticed others were from the 13th US Colored Infantry. I have not checked the entire roster, but those with Tennessee based ancestors may find their own ancestors listed among those in the above clipping.

The post Civil War years were challenging for people of color, and often those who had served in the Union Army were met with hostility by a former confederate sympathizing community. However seeing the article two years after the war, does speak to a small degree of tolerance that may have been for these former freedom fighters to at least come forth and claim the bounty that they had earned with their service and with their courage.

Other Civil War historians are encouraged to utilize as many resources as possible to find data on former soldiers. In this case, a small clipping from a Freedmen's Bureau field office directed me to a newspaper, where a small piece of community history reflected US Colored troops in the Nashville Community.

As researchers we have learned to leave no stones unturned.

1st Sgt. Octavius McFarland - A Studious Man and Faithful Soldier

2016-09-29T16:06:00.006-07:00

Photo Image: Collection of the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum

Civil War Service Record: Carded Records Showing Military Service of Soldiers Who Fought in Volunteer Organizations
During the American Civil War, compiled 1890 - 1912, documenting the period 1861 - 1866
Source of Image: Fold3

The story of Octavius McFarland is a fascinating one that reflects the spirit desire that many men who joined the US Colored Troops had in making their lives better. McFarland was born in Lincoln Missouri, and enlisted with the Missouri 1st Missouri Colored Infantry. 62nd US Colored Infantry in the middle of the Civil War. He was quickly promoted to Sergeant after a month of service. Several months later, he was promoted to 1st Sergeant. The unit was also re-designated as the 62nd US Colored Infantry, so he and his regiment became part of the United States Colored Troops.

Among the unique field orders given to the men in the ranks was one General order No. 31. For those wishing to continue to wear chevrons upon their uniform, it was insisted that they become literate men and learn to read by January 1st of 1865. If they failed, they would be reduced in rank, and replaced by men who could read and write. Those sergeants who were already literate were also required to teach other men, within their ranks to read.

“All non-Commissioned officers of this command who shall fail to learn to read by or before the 1st day of January 1865 will be reduced to the ranks and their places filled by persons who can read. In the position of Sergeants preference will be given to men who can both read & write and are otherwise good soldiers. All soldiers of this command who have by any means learned to read or write, will aid and assist to the extent of their ability their fellow soldiers to learn these invaluable arts, without which no man is properly fitted to perform the duties of a free citizen.” - Civil War News August 2013

A majority of the men in this unit were men who had been kept illiterate as slaves from Missouri. Within the regiment, in January of 1865 it was announced that a competition was established to determine the "best writer" among the enlisted men. The decision, was with the intention of encouraging literacy among the enlisted men. Daniel Ullman was a commanding officer and in addition to supporting the effort of establishing literacy among the ranks, he also saw the need to reduce the level of corporal punishment towards the former slaves. Officers had been used to using their firsts and occasionally their swords for enforcement, and it was determined that another strategy was to be used in training men to become soldiers.

So, the competition announced early on in that year ended in July, two months after the war ended, but while the unit was still on active duty. On July 4, 1865 it was determined that Octavius McFarland was selected as the best sergeant in Company K, and was to receive a gold pen for his effort and determination. Their service continued, since they went on, in fact to the western frontier, and is said to have fought in the very last battle of the Civil War. The 62nd US Colored Infantry unit was claimed by General Daniel Ullman to be "the best under my command." And, by the time the unit mustered out in March 1866, almost every man in the regiment had learned to read and write, with Octavius being seen as the most outstanding and studious men.

Was McFarland Part of a Civil War Family?

In an effort to learn more about McFarland, it was decided to study the regiment more closely. Since the Civil War service records of Union soldiers are located on Fold3, it was decided to examine the records of the regiment in which Octavius McFarland served. He was with the 62nd US Colored Infantry. What was interesting to note was that there were six other men also enlisted in the same regiment with the surname McFarland. Of those, five of the six seemed to have come from the same community. In addition, the other four men are close in age, and all have a similar physical description.
Personal Description of Octavius McFarland:

From the service record McFarland is said to have been born in Lincoln, Missouri and was 21 years of age at the time of enlistment.

Four additional men also were described similarly:

Service records of additional Lincoln Missouri McFarland who may have been brothers.ivil War Service Record: Carded Records Showing Military Service of Soldiers Who Fought in Volunteer Organizations
During the American Civil War, compiled 1890 - 1912, documenting the period 1861 - 1866
Source of Image: Fold3

Albert, George, Henry and James McFarland were all born in Lincoln Missouri, and all enlisted (including Octavius) in the Union Army in December. All were farmers by occupation, all were described as "Mulatto" and they were all close in age. Albert was 24, George was 21, Henry was 23, James was 20, and Octavius was also 21. Were they brothers? That is unknown. And even less known is what exactly happened to the men after the war. Octavius is found living in St. Louis working on a steamboat in 1880, but beyond that little is known. Did the other men survive the war? That also is unknown.

It is said that Octavius McFarland died of tuberculosis in 1894, and was buried in Potters Field Cemetery in St. Louis. It is believed that he did not live with family, as the cemetery was for those with no next of kin. It this is case, then it is likely that he may have had no headstone, although as a soldier who served in the Civil War, he should have received a marker. The hope of this author is that those in Missouri who have an interest in preserving the history and legacy of men who have faithfully served the military, will work to see that this man will be given the honor that he deserves.

An interesting blog, called Faces of the Civil War depicted the life of Octavius McFarland and his efforts to become a literate man. Little else is known of him or the other 4 men from Lincoln Missouri. Hopefully an examination of regimental records and the record of one "Mother's" pension will reveal more to the story, and will be shared in a future article.

The regiment is also known for having been around during the establishment of Lincoln Institute in Missouri after the Civil War. Could the McFarland men been part of that community? Possibly, but again that is only speculation. Nevertheless, reading about this son of Missouri, has still been worthwhile, as so little is written about the men of color who served in the western theater of the Civil War.

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Rare Photo of Arkansas Black Soldier Located in Civil War Pension File

2015-07-19T20:57:00.000-07:00

Image of Aaron Brooks, Corporal, 54th US Colored Infantry

A research trip to the National Archives has uncovered the image of a long forgotten freedom fighter. Aaron Brooks was a soldier in the 54 Arkansas Regiment of United States Colored Troops.

The photo had been mentioned to me, when I spoke in Arkansas in April of this year. A woman who is conducting graduate studies mentioned that she had seen an image in the file. I finally got the opportunity to conduct some research and to request the Civil War pension file of the soldier. The file itself was thin, with not many details about the soldier, nor much about his widow who received a pension after his death.

The image was a small one, that had been affixed to a small piece of paper, and if not looking closely could have been overlooked. And the image, even while affixed to the piece of colored paper, was still small enough to hold between two fingers of my hand.

The photo had been placed, thankfully in some protective transparent paper, to protect it.

Looking at the photo in the small file brought thoughts to mind. Most likely this photo was submitted by the widow, to whom it was clearly never returned. At the same time, the importance of this photo is enormous--this is the first image to my knowledge that has ever been noted of an Arkansas USCT whose name is identified. And, this is possibly, the first Civil War image of an Arkansas Black soldier taken during the time in which he served.

I examined the image closely to note as many details as possible. It was important to zoom in on his face. This face of this young man is the first face that can be named, of an Arkansas Black Union Soldier. Of the many USCTS buried in Ft. Smith National Cemetery, and the USCTs buried Little Rock National Cemetery, this image of Aaron Brooks finally adds a face to the Arkansas Black freedom fighters.

Corporal Aaron Brooks, 54th US Colored Infantry

Aaron Brooks, the Soldier:

Born in Phillips County Arkansas, he enlisted in the Union Army in Helena, in June 1863. Within a few short months, he was promoted to corporal. The promotion was recorded in April 1864. After that promotion was when the photo above was made as his corporal stripes are reflected on the sleeves of his uniform.

Corporal strips visible on soldier's sleeves

Aaron Brooks was possibly as literate man, as a signature bearing the name of the soldier was found at the bottom of the image. If he was a literate man, that may be one of the reasons he was promoted after several months of service.

Bottom of photo showing hand written name, "Aaron Brooks"

It should be noted that this standing photo of Aaron Brooks is one of the first, if not the only image known to identify a Black soldier from Arkansas taken during the Civil War. Seeing this image of Corporal Brooks standing with his musket on the side, and white gloved hands to his side reveal a sense of dignity that this man, once enslaved, could at last display.

The service record of the soldier indicates that he was a young man of 22 years.

Aaron Brooks, the Man

After the war he remained in Arkansas and lived as a farmer. He married in the late 1870s and together they farmed in the community of "Young township" in Pulaski County. Young Township no longer exists in Pulaski County. He was enumerated with his wife Dicey in the 1880 census.

1880 Federal Census, Young Township, Pulaski County Arkansas

In 1890 Aaron Brooks filed for an Invalid pension, but shortly afterwards, died, before collecting a payment. His widow Dicey also applied for a pension but it appears that although she did not pass away until 1914, she only received one payment.

Civil War Pension Payment Card
Family Search Image

In spite of the lack of detail about Aaron Brooks, the photo says it all. A man once enslaved was given an opportunity to fight for his freedom. He seized this opportunity and served honorably. He was a loyal soldier, whose name we now know, and whose name we should not forget. Like thousands of others from his native Arkansas soil, he represents them. He sought no accolades, or honors after his service. He lived a quiet life, worked the soil as a farmer, and died. But he shall not be forgotten, for we now have the image of this man, erect, proud and standing with dignity.

How fitting that in the 150th years since the Civil War ended and freedom was obtained for 4 million others once enslaved, we now have the image of this son of Arkansas, to be counted among the 200,000 men of color who served their nation. He was a simple man, but now we can look at his young face and say, thank you, Corporal Brooks. Your people appreciate what you did.

The Mystery of J.R. Kealoha - Soldier of the United States Colored Troops

2014-10-22T17:14:00.000-07:00

Image of Headstone for J.R. Kealoha

Recently I saw a video from Hawaii about a Civil War soldier receiving a headstone. The remarkable part was that the soldier was said to have served in the 41^st US Colored Infantry.

Video from KITV, Channel 4 News, Honolulu

Because of the soldier’s participation in the Civil War and the location of his burial site effort was made to obtain an official stone for this soldier, but as stated in the video, because there was no next of kin, the Office of Veteran’s Affairs would not issue an official marker for his grave.

I found this story so interesting and was moved to learn more about the soldier and, if possible to tell more of his story.

So many questions came to mind.

When did he enlist?

Was he injured during the war?

How did he find his way to the states to join the 41^st US Colored Infantry?

Did his survivors file a pension?

It was said that several others from the Kingdom of Hawaii served in the Union Army, and so, I was compelled to see what I could learn about this soldier.

The Search for the Soldier

Since the service records of the US Colored Troops are all digitized and can be accessed on Fold3.com, I decided to examine the records of the 41^st US Colored Infantry to see what I could learn.

Zooming in on soldiers whose last name began with the letter K, but surprisingly no Kealoha was listed.

No soldier called Kealoha, or any version of the name.

I decided to then check the National Park Service database that contains the name of every soldier Union and Confederate, in an easy to search database.

No soldier called Kealoha, or any version of that name.

I had to watch the video again to learn more about the soldier and possibly find additional clues. The historian on the video Nanetter Napopleon is a well repsected researcher in Hawaii and she pointed out in the interview that J.R. Kealoha was mentioned in a newspaper article written in 1895, and she noted that Kealohoa had died in Hawaii in 1877.

But the two most likely places to reflect his history and his service the National Park Service database, and the Union Army service records, had no data reflecting anyone called J. R. Kealoha. The records from Fold3 are the digitized Civil War service records housed at the National Archives.

So a new question now arises:

Could this soldier have served under a different name? If so, then finding the name an alias would an enormous task. I examined the names of all of the men in the 41^st. I started first with the surnames beginning with K, hoping to find something similar, but nothing came up. Then I went back and examined the names of all of the soldiers of the 41st US Colored Infantry, looking for something that might have a resemblance to his name, but there was nothing that stood out.

Additional questions

*If J.R. Kealoha from the Kingdom of Hawaii served in this regiment, how did he arrive and how was he recruited?

*Could the answer be found with the regiment itself? For example, did this regiment enlist men from other countries? Well I found the answer to that question and yes, I found soldiers in the 41^st from other countries, including the West Indies, and Canada.

Source of Image: Click HERE

From Civil War Service record of soldier in the 41st US Colored Infantry who was born outside of the US.

So there is a possibility that someone from the South Pacific could have been among other foreign born soldiers that served in the 41^st.

But now, without being able to find his name or to document his service I now understood why an official marker could not be issued. True there may not be any known descendants or next of kin, but the soldier's service has yet to be verified, because the actual service of the man so far has not been documented. Even with if there was a descendant of the man, without the official name under which he served, an official marker would never be issued by the office of Veteran’s Affairs.

Known Facts about J. R. Kealoaha:

From the video it was stated that J. R. Kealoha died in 1877 in Hawaii and he is buried at Oahu Cemetery.

Yet, after searching, J. R. Kealoha’s name does not appear with the soldiers of the 41^st US Colored Infantry

And after searching, J. R. Kealoha’s name is not on the National Park Service database.

Additional questions arise:

Could the article that was referred to on the video be found to see how Kealoha was identified as a Civil War soldier? There was a reference to a letter written in 1895. Hopefully that letter, if located could be examined to learn more.

If the man served in the Union army, could the man J.R. Kealoha have possibly served in another regiment, and not the 41st US Colored Infantry? This is a possibility, but this would make finding the soldiers almost impossible.

Could Kealoha have possibly been a civilian worker and not a soldier?

While looking for other resources, an article published earlier this year made a reference to a letter written by Col. Samuel Chapman Armstrong, where he mentioned Kealoha by name. Armstrong made a reference to a man who was working as "his orderly" at the time tending to his horse. He conversed with the man, and it was stated that the letter said: A Jan. 22, 1865, letter from Col. Samuel Chapman Armstrong, who was born on Maui, notes a conversation with Kealoha, his "orderly," holding his horse, before the Richmond fighting. "I asked him where he was from," Armstrong wrote. "He said he was from Hawaii! He proved to be a full-blooded kanaka, by the name of Kealoha, who came from the Islands last year." He also noted meeting another man named Kaiwi from Hawaii. "I enjoyed seeing them very much, and we had a good jabber in kanaka," the colonel said.

But the letter referred to him as an "orderly" and if Kealoha was an orderly for Col. Armstrong, he might not have been a soldier in the 41st.

It is also not clear that Col. Samuel Chapman Armstrong would have been in contact with men of the 41st US Colored Infantry. Soldiers clearly had to be with their regiment and follow orders of the direct commanding officers and it does not appear that Chapman had contact with soldiers of the 41st US Colored Infantry.

But Col. Armstrong did have contact with men of the 8th and 9th US Colored Infantries. Could Kealoha have possibly been affiliated with one of those two regiments? After examining the names of the soldiers of both of those units there was no soldier called Kealoha in either unit. And so far, no soldiers from The "Western Islands" have been located among the soldiers of the 41st.

Perhaps closer examination of the two regiments that Armstrong was a part of, might yield some better data, and possibly another name.

A Possible Lead?

I noticed in the 1865 letter that Armstrong referred to Kealoha as Kanaka. I wondered if there were any soldiers who may have used that name, so I ran that surname through the National Park Service Database. And I found a soldier. His name was "Friday Kanaka" who served with the 31st US Colored Infantry. The thought ran through my mind, "could the 41st really have been the 31st?" I wondered if this might have been Kealoha. The term "Kanaka" has been used to describe native Hawaiian people. And I looked at the record of Friday Kanaka--and noticed that he was born in the "Western Islands".

Unfortunately this is not J.R. Kealoha, because this soldier died before the war ended, in 1864, and it was noted that J.R. Kealoha survived the war and died in 1877.

Source of Image: HERE

So the mystery of this son of Hawaii and possible Civil War soldier grows. Meanwhile, the efforts to honor him continue and this weekend the stone that was donated by a local monument company in Honolulu, will be dedicated.

I shall continue to look for him, and to search for his history and his service. If the name is discovered under which he may have served, then an possibly anofficial marker bearing that name could also be issued.

Hopefully others who also have an interest in the history of the United States Colored Troops will be interested in also working to document the life of this son of Hawaii, who joined forces with other men of color in the fight for the preservation of the Union, and the critical fight for freedom.

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More on J. R. Kealoha

Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL

Dedication of Headstone for J.R. Kealoha

Grave Marker Update for J. R. Kealoha

USCTs Buried in Mass Grave to Be Honored at Jefferson Barracks

2014-08-12T10:31:00.000-07:00

After decades spanning over a century, 173 men who escaped slavery, fought for their freedom, and won, only to succumb to disease will have their names restored.

In 1866 men of the 56th US Colored Infantry died of cholera on route to Missouri where they were to be discharged and to live their new lives in freedom. An epidemic of Cholera struck the steamers that took them back to Missouri and within a few short days in August 1866 many would succumb. Many were buried in Quarantine Island and in 1939 their bodies were removed to Jefferson Barracks cemetery. But instead of single burials, they were placed in a large mass grave with their names no longer identifying their remains.

Thanks to the efforts of the St. Louis African American History and Genealogy Society, the names are now going to be placed on the site of the mass grave, and at last the "Unknown" designation of these soldiers at the cemetery will no longer describe who they are. A plaque will be unveiled this Friday at Jefferson Barracks bearing the names of each these freedom fighters, and a respectful ceremony is also being planned.

Ms. Sarah Cato, a member of the society shared a press release from the Office of Veteran's Affairs inviting the public to attend this ceremony that will restore the honor to these soldiers.

The society is to be congratulated for its hard work in honoring these soldiers, and the names of these men can now be seen and known by all.

May these men rest in peace, and may their honor, service and record be known forever.

Remember Poison Springs

2014-04-18T09:55:00.002-07:00

Image Source

150 years ago today the 1st Kansas Colored which was re-designated as the 79th US Colored Infantry was engaged in battle at Poison Springs, in Ouachita County Arkansas. They are remembered again on this day.

On April 18, 1864 the battle of Poison Springs occurred. This took place in Ouachita and was part of the Camden Expedition.

The actual engagement was short and confederate forces were able to drive Union soldiers away, and chased them in pursuit. But after a pursuit of only about two miles the southern soldiers stopped the pursuit and returned to address the wounded left behind. That was when the second heinous tragedy of April 1864, took place. Many men of the 1st Kansas Colored now were lying wounded on the ground. At this time, fighting had ceased and that was when, as they lay wounded, they were brutally murdered by southern forces.

Tandy Walker who led southern forces at Poison Springs

Three years ago I also wrote an article about this same battle here on this blog.

These men, were mostly men from Indian Territory who had fled into Kansas in the early part of the war. They were the first men of color to see action in 1862 at Island Mound Missouri. And they were now at the mercy of their captors, But their captors would not take on that role for they saw these now free men, simply as useless commodities to eliminate. Therefore in a matter of days after the same kind of massacre at Ft. Pillow---these courageous men, unable now to defend themselves were shot, bayoneted and tortured, then left on the ground where they died. Only a week before in Tennessee, the enemy had vowed to give men at Ft. Pillow no quarter, and the same occurred in Arkansas on that fatefu day.

Those freedom fighters were given no quarter, and in this case, they also were given no life. This tragic story of the massacre at Poison Springs is another of those stories not simply of war, but of man's inability to see humanity in others who are different. In this case, these soldiers of color were not seen as worthy of humane treatment by their enemies.

This second massacre would not be forgotten. Before the month would end, some of the compatriots of these massacred warriors would make Poison Springs their battle cry, at Jenkins Ferry. In fact many black soldiers from that day forward would remind each other of their mission as they fought for their freedom. Their battle cry would be heard and remembered for generations. "Remember Poison Springs!"

I remember the soldiers killed at Poison Springs on this day the 150th anniversary of that fateful day.

They did not die in vain.

Their sacrifice is not forgotten.

And they are remembered forever.

Remember Poison Springs!

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Ft. Pillow Massacre

As I recommended in the previous article here are additional readings about the massacres such as Poison Springs, Ft. Pillow and others.

Urwin, Gregory J. W. “‘We Cannot Treat Negroes… as Prisoners of War’”: Racial Atrocities and Reprisals in Civil War Arkansas.” In Civil War Arkansas: Beyond Battles and Leaders, edited by Anne Bailey and Daniel Sutherland. Fayetteville: University of Arkansas Press, 1999]

From Ft. Pillow to Poison Springs - They Were Given No Quarter, but They Died As Men

2014-04-12T13:27:00.001-07:00

Massacre of Black Soldiers at Ft. Pillow

The enemy vowed to give no Negro any quarter. In the midst of the Civil War that meant that the rules of war were not going to be extended to men of color. The Confederate Army saw no humanity in the black soldiers that engaged in battle. They simply saw "creatures" whom they were taught to hate, whom they were taught were inferior beings, whom they were taught to judge by their color, and whom they believed were less than they.

The Ft. Pillow massacre is well documented. The records indicate that when the garrison was attacked and soldiers surrendered, the cry came forth, "No quarter, no quarter". Records also show that most of those who died, were murdered after surrender.

The world soon learned of the atrocities at Ft. Pillow were told worldwide, and the reaction to the massacre brought about dismay and outrage throughout the nation, and world.

Richard Fuchs, author of the "The Massacre at Ft. Pillow noted that even the press carried the story. He quoted a piece from the NY Times:

The blacks and their officers were shot down, bayoneted and put to the sword in cold blood... . Out of four hundred negro soldiers only about twenty survive! At least three hundred of them were destroyed after the surrender! This is the statement of the rebel General Chalmers himself to our informant.

Richard Fuchs, An Unerring Fire: The Massacre At Fort Pillow (Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole, 2002), 14.
The national outcry would eventually affect the behavior of Confederate soldiers later that year, for
within the span of a few short months, the same army would later be compelled to no longer massacre black soldiers if they surrendered, but to later take them as prisoners. But the horrors of that day are on record as one of the most vicious of Civil War warfare.

A week later in Arkansas, men of the 1st Kansas Colored were part of a team that were encountered by confederate forces. Several were injured and others left with confederates in pursuit. They gave up the pursuit and returned to the injured soldiers. The Encyclopedia of Arkansas describes the events at Poison Springs: The Southern troops then turned their attention to the wounded and captured soldiers of the First Kansas; both Union and Confederate accounts agree that many of the black troops were killed after the battle was over.

The attack upon the injured soldiers at Poison Springs, in addition to the brutal massacre at Ft. Pillow immediately became a battle cry for many black soldiers that served in Arkansas after April 1864. "Remember Poison Springs" reminded these men that their fate lay in the outcome of their future encounters with the enemy! They had no choice but to fight harder for their freedom. They took this cry with them later that month, to Jenkins Ferry. "Remember Poison Springs!"

These men are to be remembered for the odds were so strongly against them. They could not shudder and theirs was the choice---to live or die. Theirs was the choice for enslavement or freedom. They may have been enlisted as slaves, but they died free as men.

From Ft. Pillow, to Poison Springs and later to Jenkins Ferry---these freedom fighters shall not be forgotten!

Battle Flag of the 1st Kansas Colored. (Later re-designated as the 83rd US Colored Infantry)

Document from Service Record of Soldier Killed at Poison Springs

Compiled military service records of volunteer Union soldiers belonging to the 56th through 138th infantry units, United States Colored Troops (USCT), 1864-1866. Roll: RG94-USCT-079N-Bx58

Military Unit: 79th US Colored Infantry (New)

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On the trail of Yarmouth Cartwright

2014-04-04T18:30:00.003-07:00

A recent article by Drusilla Pair, reflected the names of several black soldiers who were captured after the battle at Petersburg. An article in the Richmond Dispatch listed the names of the soldiers simply as "captured Negroes" and although they were soldiers, the men were listed in the Richmond Dispatch only by first name. Since there was an actual reference to the fact that these men were "enlisted troops" the disrespectful posting of only their first names intentionally treated them as still enslaved men.

Like Ms. Pair, the article that she shared on her blog, Let Freedom Ring made me wonder about these men, and about their fate.

How were they treated? The policy of the confederate army was that they would "give no Negro any quarter" meant that they did not see these men of color as human enough to imprison, but simply as property to return or evil beings to kill. So the question rang again in my head, "how were they treated?"

Did any of these men survive being captured? It is widely known how many of the soldiers at Ft. Pillow were viciously killed and given no quarter, only three months earlier. So were the men on this list given food, and shelter?

The only way to find out was to see if any such men could be researched. So I examined the list that she shared.

There were many who had common names, so I knew that Johns, Henry's George's would not be easily traceable. But perhaps a man with a unique name could be found. I saw a name of a man called Yarmouth, said to have been enslaved by a man called Alexander Kilga of Montgomery County MD.

The name of Yarmouth appears as the slave of Alexander Kilga

Since the name "Yarmouth" is unique, I decided to see if I could find such a soldier among the thousands of US Colored Troops.

I decided to use the Civil War Soldier and Sailors Database hosted by the National Park Service.

National Park Service Database

Two possibilities emerged: Yarmouth Carr of the 107th US Colored Infantry, and Yarmouth Cartwright of the 23rd US Colored Infantry.

I clicked on the first soldier to see if he was in a regiment that served in Virginia, which would be essential, since the men on the list were captured near Petersburg, Virginia. So I had to explore a brief history of both regiments and then to look at each soldier. I learned that the 107th USColored Infantry, was organized in Kentucky and in 1864 was ordered to Baltimore, and was in Petersburg from October 1864 till early December.

Source of Image: National Park Service Database

So this regiment would not have had soldiers in Petersburg around the time that "Yarmouth slave of Alexander Kilga", because that article was written in August of 1864, several weeks before the 107th was there.

The other regiment with a soldier called Yarmouth was the 23rd US Colored Infantry. This regiment was also in Petersburg and at the time of the big mine explosion.

Source of Image: National Park Service Database

So it was possible that the Yarmouth in this regiment was the Yarmouth on the list of "captured Negroes" listed in the Richmond Dispatch.

I decided to look at the Military Service records of the US Colored Troops and opened the images on Fold 3.

I had no idea which surname Yarmouth of the 23rd US Colored Infantry may have had, so I then made a very broad search for a soldier with only the name of Yarmouth.

Only one soldier appeared and his name was Yarmouth Cartwright.

So Yarmouth Cartwright served in Company A of the 23rd US Colored Infantry, By clicking on the image to go the service record I saw the following:

Source of Image

From this image I learned that this soldier Yarmouth was taken prisoner in early July of 1864.

From this image I learned that this was the man!!

Yarmouth Cartwright was taken prisoner after being captured at Petersburg! So the man called Yarmouth, "slave of Alexander Kilga", was most likely Yarmouth Cartwright, a man who was a soldier, fighting for his own freedom!

I then wondered more about this man, did he survive being imprisoned? This was only a few weeks after the terrible massacre at Ft. Pillow, the battle in which Confederate soldiers vowed to give no Negro quarter. So, did this man survive the treatment as a prisoner, which was most likely not to have been kind for his very humanity was not even recognized by the enemy.

The answer was in the service record itself. The image above indicates that the soldier did return to duty! And the following image shows that he followed the regiment when they were sent to Texas and he was mustered out in Brazos Santiago, Texas in November.

Source of Image

After looking at the record on Fold3 and locating the service record of Yarmouth Cartwright, I was pleased to see that he lived through imprisonment and was not killed by those who were holding him prisoner. I had hoped that he would have lived to have enjoyed his hard earned freedom, and would have been able to marry and have a family.

A search on Ancestry provided the information that I sought. In 1870, he went had returned to Montgomery County Maryland, and was found living with a wife Mary, and three young children, Jesse, Joseph, and Samuel. He was free and was with his family.

Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: District 4, Montgomery, Maryland; Roll: M593_591; Page: 475A; Image: 511; Family History Library Film: 552090.

Finding this man living free with wife and family was relieving. He was working as a farm laborer. I looked at others who lived nearby, and the closest neighbor did catch my attention. A woman of means lived close to the Cartwright family. The surname caught my attention. Margaret Kilgour.

I then remembered that the article in the Richmond Dispatch referred to the soldier as Yarmouth slave of Alexander Kilga. The neighbor in 1870 was Margaret Kilgour. Could "Kilga", have possibly been "Kilgour", and was Margaret most likely the widow of Alexander, the said slave holder?

I wondered what the relationship might have been for this man, now a free man to have remained in the same area living close to the family that had once enslaved him. However, I have seen this occur in other states and in other families that I have researched. Many families returned to the community they knew as home, for they have lived in the area for decades and regardless of who the neighbors were, it was home.

I looked at 1880, and found the family still in Montgomery County, but without Yarmouth. An older Cartwright man was living with Mary and her children, and some additional children were now in the household. And interestingly, they still lived next door to Margaret Kilgour.

In 1890, Mary was found on the 1890 Surviving Widow's Census, in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Source Citation: Year: 1890; Census Place: Potomac, Montgomery, Maryland;

Roll: 10; Page: 1; Enumeration District: 139.

My goal was to find the "captured negro" and to find him as a man.

I found Yarmouth the soldier, Yarmouth the man and Yarmouth the free man who survived the war and who lived to taste freedom. His story is a short one with few details, but we was so much more than a slave. He freed himself, enlisted to fight, served honorably and won his freedom. He returned home to live in the small farming community in Montgomery County Maryland. He married, had a family, and the Cartwright family continued to thrive, into the 20th century. I am happy and humbled that I can say his name. Yarmouth Cartwright, survived! May he not be forgotten.

Life After Civil War Seen Through Civil War Pension Payments

2014-02-21T16:27:00.001-08:00

"United States Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-17526-124760-96?cc=1832324&wc=M9WT-11Q:n1440969177 : accessed 22 Feb 2014), Bass, Adaline C. - Bassuener, Henry > image 178 of 702.

Pension Payment Card for Sephus Bass of 111th US Colored Infantry

For those who research ancestors from the Civil War, it is quite common to note that an ancestor filed for and received a pension. However, it has never been clear even from a pension file how much a soldier received for his service. And how often was the soldier paid? Can this even be determined? Well with an interesting set of records recently digitized, this can now be determined.

Thankfully the folks at Family Search have a collection that I had not noticed before, which is the Collection of US Veterans Administration Payment Cards. This covers the years from 1907 to 1933. If there is interest in a former soldier who may have been paid during those years, then you can learn how much they received and how any times they were actually paid. Note that the collection is not yet complete, as 80% of the cards have been digitized so far.

Thankfully payments made to US Colored Troops are included in this record set. I was quite pleased to find the records of an ancestor whose payment card I found illustrated in the images above. This information is so useful since the details of when the soldier was paid and how much he was paid, is clearly outlined on the card, and in addition, you can see when a raise was made to the ongoing payments.

I looked at a card of another soldier, Adam Westfield of Crawford County Arkansas.

Payment Card of Sgt Adam Westfield Col B 1 US Col. Heavy Artillery

"United States Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-17428-26665-37?cc=1832324&wc=M9WY-SFZ:961268127 : accessed 21 Feb 2014), Westeiude, Hubregt Vant - Westlake, William H. > image 484 of 632.

2nd card reflecting payment schedule for Sgt. Adam Westfield

When examining the card data such as the date and place of death can also be noted on the card.

Close up of image from Westfield Card.

Although this data is limited, it still provides a glimpse into the life of the soldier and how often some assistance may have come for the soldier. And even when the soldier died the widow's payments are also noted.

Hopefully other researchers will find this set of records valuable and will add to learning a small amount more about the soldier and how he lived after the Civil War.

A Sesquicentennial Year: Battles Involving US Colored Troops in Arkansas 1864

2014-01-25T06:45:00.000-08:00

Soldiers of the 57th US Colored Infantry at a Reunion after the War.

Image Source

In 1864 a large number of regiments were organized throughout the country, including Arkansas. Six regiments were organized within Arkansas, but other regiments organized in other states would find themselves fighting for freedom within the state.

This year, marks the 150th anniversary of many of the battles and skirmishes in which Arkansas black soldiers fought, and in honor of their efforts they are listed here.

There were 11 different regiments that fought in battles on Arkansas soil during the year 1864. Two of the regiments were originally organized as the 1st and 2nd Kansas Colored Infantries. They would be among the first Black Union soldiers to engage the enemy in battle as early as 1862. In late 1863 they were re-designated as the 79th and 83rd US Colored Infantries. The Kansas Colored fought in Island Mound Illionois a year before the US Colored Troops were established.

Several of the Arkansas battles that involved Black soldiers were truly noteworthy such as Poison Springs, in which many wounded black men were massacred by Confederate soldiers after they lay wounded on the ground. As the Confederate Army was committed to giving "no Negro any quarters" and after the vicious massacre of the injured men occurred, Poison Springs would later become the battle cry of Arkansas black soldiers.

It should be noted that within one week's time---two major massacres of Black soldiers occurred in the Civil War. The infamous Ft. Pillow massacre occurred in Tennessee on April 12th of 1864. In that case after being outnumbered and surrendering---confederate soldiers chose not to see the humanity of the black soldiers and brutally killed hundreds who had surrendered. Historian Richard Fuchs described the outrage at Ft. Pillow, “The affair at Fort Pillow was simply an orgy of death, a mass lynching to satisfy the basest of conduct – intentional murder – for the vilest of reasons – racism and personal enmity." (1)

A mere six days later in Arkansas--the same thing occurred. This time, many of the men were already injured and lying on the ground. And they to were cruelly and maliciously massacred by the confederate army devoted to never recognizing their humanity. It was also reported that many of the Black Union soldiers were murdered even after the major fighting was over. The outrage at Poison Springs, indeed became a logical battle cry from that time onward for those once enslaved, "Remember Poison Springs!"

So, in this sesquicentennial year, the seriousness of purpose of the US Colored Troops is noted and those who fought and who died upon Arkansas soil are honored. May their efforts be always remembered and may the courage and the stories of these men once enslaved, and now daring to face the enemy, be told.

* * * * * *

(1) Richard Fuchs, An Unerring Fire: The Massacre At Fort Pillow (Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole, 2002), 14.

In Search of Quarantine Island

2013-12-14T20:25:00.003-08:00

Documents from two soldiers of the 56th US Colored Infantry

who died of Cholera at Quarantine Island.

Prior to this year, I had never heard of Quarantine Island. But several months ago, it came to my attention when some friends and colleagues of the St. Louis African American Genealogy & History Society told the story of soldiers from the 56th US Colored Infantry who died of cholera in 1866.

The regiment was from Arkansas, but many of the men were formerly enslaved in their home state of Missouri. Man enlisted in Arkansas, would serve there and even fight there, and towards the end of their service they left Helena Arkansas for St. Louis to be mustered out. But as fate would have it, many men became gravely ill. Some died aboard the steamer taking them to St. Louis. Others were treated at either Jefferson Barracks, or placed on Quarantine island, and within a few days, 175 men would succumb to this disease.

Most were buried on Quarantine Island. They would remain there till 1939 when industry demands required that their bodies be moved to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. They were moved but sadly, they buried in a mass grave at the cemetery.

The story unfolded this year when the genealogy group began to research this story and decided to see if
they could honor these men who never made it home. The group worked hard and finally on August 16, 2013, they were successful in having the men honored with a moving ceremony for them.

While research continues on these men and their history, by the St. Louis genealogists, I was a bit curious to learn more about where they were initially buried, Quarantine Island. I learned that as the course of the river changed, and as there were more interests by industry, the course of the Mississippi River was altered and within time Quarantine Island disappeared.

But on a search to see what part of the river the island may have been, I came across a fascinating video by the Missouri History Museum. The Video was about an island unfamliar to me, called Smallpox Island. This was a place where early in the Civil War, men who had contracted smallpox were taken to be treated and in most cases, to die. But what caught my attention in this 18 minute video that mentioned Quarantine Island.

Video on Smallpox Island by HEC-TV

In that video Alex Fees, was the producer and host, and he asked some questions about the history of the island. He began pointing out the names of other islands that he had previously heard before, including Quarantine Island. He spoke with Dr. David Meyers, a professor and historical re-enactor, and he also spoke with Barnes Bradshaw of the museum with good questions about Smallpox Island.

In that video, Dr. Terry Norris, District Archaeologist with the US Army Corps of Engineers also spoke about Smallpox Island. He also mentioned a confederate prisoner of war camp near Alton Illinois. When an epidemic of smallpox arose, the residents of Alton were concerned about the patients with smallpox infecting the larger population. A small island called Sunflower Island, was closer to the Missouri side of the river and it was selected to become the site where these men infected with smallpox would go. I did wonder if Quarantine could have been Smallpox Island, because of the fact that smallpox was one of those diseases that the population would have wanted to distance itself from, thus the concept of putting patients in "quarantine" made me wonder.

But the illness that affected the Black soldiers of the 56th US Colored Infantry was not smallpox, but cholera, were known to have caught cholera on the Steamer Continental and when they arrived in St. Louis, many were placed on an island referred to as Quarantine Island. Again, I asked ---is this the same island?

The records indicate that the soldiers were buried right there on Quarantine Island. In the video Dr. Norris mentioned that the prisoners from 1862 were buried on Sunflower Island--Smallpox Island as well. And in the 1930s interest arose in that area, when construction for Lock and Dam #26 began.

My curiosity continued while watching the video, as Dr. Norris pointed out that interest in Civil War soldiers buried along the Mississippi arose when construction brought up skulls and other remains of these prisoners. Apparently the construction site for the Lock and Dam was in the exact place where Smallpox Island was.

So, did Smallpox Island "become" Quarantine Island? It was explained that as the river course was changed during construction of the Lock and Dam, Smallpox Island simply disappeared from the surface. It was filled in by the river, never to be seen again.

Meanwhile 1939 another reburial decision was made to remove Union Soldiers to Jefferson Barracks. But these were the 175 Black Union Soldiers of the 56th US Colored Infantry who died of cholera in 1866. Their story was a bit different, as it was said that though they were removed, there were somehow place no longer in single graves, but this time upon arrival at Jefferson Barracks, their remains were placed in one mass grave. Two memorial stones saying "Unknown Soldier" were placed above this now mass grave and Quarantine Island where they were once buried was now free to erode with the changes in the river. And as the construction needs of the community, and this island too, was simply forgotten.

So was Smallpox Island the same as Quarantine Island?

Smallpox Island got public attention again in the 1980s when the newer Melvin Price Locks and Dam were constructed. While much of the soil was being moved that came from the same area where Smallpox Island once was, human remains were found. It was then noted that there had already been so much disturbance of the resting place of those soldiers, a decision made to not try to obtain all of their remains, but to erect a memorial was built with the names of the men who died at Smallpox Island, at the small abutment in West Alton MO, which is according to their research, where Smallpox Island once stood.

NOTE: At 11 minutes 30 seconds on the video (11:31) the question was asked: "Smallpox Island, Quarantine Island, is this all one and the same?" Dr. Terry nodded and said "Smallpox Island, Quarantine Island, Sunflower Island, there're several more names that came and went, during the late 19th century and early 20th centuries."

So now we have three names, "Smallpox Island", "Sunflower Island", and "Quarantine Island". Yet, the video made no mention of the men of the 56th US Colored. If they died on the same island, I thought how sad that they were not mentioned.

Then I noted some additional information provided by the National Park Service. The remains of many Union soldiers were transferred from Smallpox Island, that was also known by another name--Arsenal Island. And according to the park service another name for Arsenal Island was Smallpox Island. So now there is yet another name for Smallpox Island--Arsenal Island.

Again the question---were Arsenal, Smallpox, and Quarantine Island the same? If this was the case, I was completely perplexed as how the history of the US Colored Soldiers were completely omitted by a video featured on the Missouri History Museum. In addition, I located a website that actually posted the names of the men whose names were placed on the West Alton MO monument, and none were US Colored Troops. Surely there could not be such a blatant omission of black soldiers!

I watched the remainder of the video, and even said aloud, "why was there no mention of the soldiers from the US Colored Infantry who had contracted cholera?" And these men are known to have originally had personal burials on Quarantine Island. But something occurred to me. One of the most significant policies during that time was also to segregate men of color from white soldiers.

So although Dr. Terry said that they were one and the same, I began to wonder if there was a strong possibility that Quarantine Island was a different island entirely and Black soldiers may have been treated and died of cholera from this different island.

I had a discussion about this with genealogist and researcher Sarah Cato, of St. Louis, who is spearheading the effort in the St-L AAHGS to honor the men who were put in the mass grave. From her research, the men were re-interred at Jefferson Barracks in 1939 from Quarantine Island. I suggested that we both look high and low for a 19th or early 20th century map that might show the Mississippi River and reflect any island called Quarantine Island.

Then Thursday a break came from Ms. Cato! She had gone to work, and she had located a map!! And this map was printed in 1909 and it had two significant islands marked, in the Mississippi River. Arsenal Island and Quarantine Island! "Arsenal and Quarantine", I asked just to be sure. She replied, "I am sending you some email with the image."

Within a minute the email arrived and there it was, an image of the Mississippi River, with St. Louis on the left side of the river, and the state of Illinois on the right side of the river. And sure enough---there were two islands clearly marked. To the north was Arsenal Island, and further south, closer to Jefferson Barracks and extending southward, was Quarantine Island.

The map appears on the website HistoricMapworks. On that site came an old map of St. Louis County, and there if one zooms in are two significant features in the Mississippi River. One was called Arsenal Island and further south was another island, Quarantine Island. They were not one and the same!

(The Map of St. Louis County is found HERE.)

Zooming in closely one can see two distinct islands clearly marked on the map.

Images of Map from HistoricMapworks, reflecting Arsenal Island and Quarantine Island as two different islands.

Since I realized that the map was one of St. Louis County and not of St. Louis City, I decided to see if I could find another map also reflecting the two different islands. I came across one map that I didn't expect to reflect anything, because this map was of St. Louis County, but it was printed in 1857, which was four years before the Civil War. But since this was a searchable map I decided to examine it.

To my surprise--the islands in the Mississippi River were reflected on the map, and there were two distinct islands again. This site reflected Wagner's Map of St. Louis County. And this map also revealed that there were was an Arsenal Island and a Quarantine Island.

Arsenal Island (Later known as Smallpox Island) in 1857

Quarantine Island in 1857

So-- once again here was evidence that they were not the same islands! And it is now understood why the 56th US Colored Infantry would not have been in the video, as their history was different, they died in two different places, and they were treated on two distinct islands.

I understood how Smallpox Island---also known as Arsenal Island disappeared when work began on the Lock and Dam project, and it is now completely gone. However, I wondered if anything remained of Quarantine Island. I notice two things in common on both maps. Quarantine island was close to the Illinois banks of the Mississippi River, and there was a small canal that ran between the island and the Illinois river banks. Could the traces of the island be seen today?

I decided to use Google Maps to see what could be seen from an areal view. I had to get my bearings first, and on both maps I could see that Quarantine Island would be adjacent to Jefferson Barracks if one were to draw a horizontal line. The island extended southward, and came to almost a pointed shape at the southern most tip. So I looked for something similar using Google.

On one of the older maps, I noticed that Quarantine Island appeared to be on the same latitude as Oakville and an area known as Cliff Cave. I noticed on the satellite image, that after locating Oakville and Cliff Cave which is now a park, to the right, in the river, I saw what appears to be the remnants of a land mass that might have been an island. The land mass comes to a point on the southern most post, and I believe that what little that remains of Quarantine Island has been located. Now, I cannot say with certainty as most likely an archaeologist and cartographer would have to confirm it. However, by the location and the placement of the island this could very well be the southernmost part of an island that was part of Civil War History, USCT history, Mississippi River history and American History.

Image from Google Earth. The red arrows are pointing to a small canal between this island and the Illinois river banks. Could this possibly be the southernmost tip of the old Quarantine Island?

The story of the men who died of cholera at the end of the War, intrigued me.

Their being buried on a tiny island, then having had their graves disturbed and their being re-interred, in a mass grave saddened me.

And so little knowledge about these men and where their first burial site may have been on today's maps, worried me.

So, I went in search of Quarantine Island, and I do believe that I have found it.

* * * * * *

(Special thanks to Ms. Sarah Cato for finding the first map that opened the doors to this part of the history of the men of the 56th US Colored Infantry.)

Civil War Soldier Finally Honored

2013-11-05T08:18:00.001-08:00

Image from Channel 20, Springfield Illinois

After more than 120 years, the soldier whose face we all know, was finally honored at his resting place, in Springfiled, Illinois, with a headstone.

Image Courtesy of the State Journal Register, Springfield, Illinois.

Pvt. Lewis Martin was a soldier in the 29th US Colored Infantry. Born in Arkansas, this man made it to Illinois before slavery ended, and when time came willingly enlisted in the Union Army. His regiment was dispatched to the eastern theatre of the Civil War and Martin was one of many soldiers wounded at the famous Crater in Petersburg Virginia.

Document from Service record of Pvt. Lewis Martin.

Image from Fold3.com

I originally wrote an article about Pvt. Martin in 2011. A Springfield Illinois based historical researcher, Kathy Heyworth, contacted me about the article and pointed out that she knew where he was buried, and that he had no headstone. Ironically this soldier is buried a few hundred feet from the most visited burial at the same cemetery. The burial ground is Oak Ridge Cemetery and not too far from Pvt. Lewis, rests the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln.

Ms. Heyworth and others worked to obtain a stone for Pvt. Lewis and finally on Sunday, Pvt. Martin's resting place was given it's long overdue marker.

Not many details are known about his life. However, he did obtain a Civil War pension, although it was initially denied him, and even after receiving the pension he had to depend on others for help during the remainder of his life. Some of his funds were said to have been taken by his caretakers, and others. Being disabled he clearly could not work but he was able to live for a few years on his small funds nevertheless. Oddly, upon his death, in the newspapers he was merely reported to have been a heavy drinker, and the remains of the soldier were placed in the pauper's section of Oak Ridge, and with no marker pointing out his military service, or anything to indicated that he had ever lived.

Thankfully, his story has at long last received attention, and on Sunday November 3, he was given a marker and a ceremony was held to honor him. More than likely there are no descendants of this man, and it is not known if he had family at the time he died. At long last however, he will be remembered, and his stone will be seen by visitors to the cemetery.

Thank you Private Martin. We are grateful for your service, for your sacrifice and for your life.

Click Here for Video of the dedication.

Bounty Records of US Colored Troops, in Arkansas Freedman's Bureau Records T - Y

2013-11-04T13:48:00.001-08:00

Ledger from Little Rock, Arkansas Field Office

Bounty Register
Roll of Claimants 1868 - 1871

This is the fifth of five articles in which Bounty Records of US Colored Troops are being shared. As stated earlier, these records represent previously unseen bounty payments of US Colored Troops, that were made in Arkansas, including notation of the payments remitted to the soldiers. In some cases one will see the names of women. There women were often the surviving widows of the soldier who was now deceased. In a few cases where there was no spouse, one might be another family member such as a sibling or child. This information was extracted from the Little Rock, Arkansas Field Office.

These represent the surnames beginning with the letters T though Y. (Note there were no surnames beginning with the letter Z.)

The source of all images is from the Internet Archive.

Taylor, Edmund - Thomas, Austin

Thomas, Robert - Trottey, Wm.

Upshur, James

Van Buren, Green - Vaughn, Alex

Willis, Gabriel - Williams, Joe

Waters, Burrell - Waters, Moses

Waters, Arthur - Williamson, Andrew (Brother of Roger Bernard)

Williamson, Andrew - Washington, George

Williams, Mary, Mother of W. Nevils

Yeizer, Sam'l - Young, James.

This is the end of the names found on the ledger reflecting Bounty payments made to US Colored Troops in Arkansas. The payments were made to soldiers or their surviving families as late as 1870, and it is hoped that this will shed more light of data pertaining to the history of soldiers who were either from Arkansas, or who relocated to Arkansas after the Civil War.

* * * * *

Pvt. Lewis Martin Finally Gets a Grave Marker

2013-10-24T10:49:00.001-07:00

Pvt. Lewis Martin, 29th US Colored Infantry

In January of 2011 I wrote an article about Pvt. Martin. His face is a famous one, and many who study the history of the US Colored Troops are familiar with this image. But few really knew anything about him. I became doubly interested, because he was at one time enslaved in Arkansas. After that article appeared on the blog, I heard from several researchers who live in Illinois, not far from the cemetery where he is buried. Ironically, Pvt. Martin's body rests not far from that of the 16th President of the United States-Abraham Lincoln! The grave is at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield Illinois.

In May of 2012, a local newspaper in Illinois also covered the story about Pvt. Martin. After that, efforts to secure a marker for Pvt. Martin increased. And now at long last, the Washington Post reports that a marker is now going to mark the final resting place of this man wounded at The Crater in Petersburg, Virginia, during the Civil War.

Martin returned to Illinois after the war ended, and obviously life would not be easy for a man with injuries as grave as those of Pvt Martin. In addition, being a man of color, he would not be treated as a man who fought for his freedom and for his country.

After I wrote the first article, I heard from Kathy Heyworth, and who is an avid historian who lives in Springfield Illinois, in the area not far from the burial site of Pvt. Martin. She was able to share additional details about the life of Lewis Martin the man. She learned a few details about his life in Springfield, and noted that during his lifetime, he had acquired property. Though he was known to drink in his later years, she also pointed out to me, that this man was most likely "self-medicating" after all we must remember, his wound were, indeed grave wounds. But being largely ignored by many of the townspeople he was simply believed to be a drinking man whose few meager earnings were given to the local saloon.

I am so proud of Ms. Heyworth and her work to get the stone for Pvt. Martin! This man gave an arm and a leg for his freedom, and though not recognized for over a century--his struggle was not in vain. This man who could have avoided the war, having reached Illinois, from Arkansas where he was a slave, but yet, he entered the conflict willingly, and paid a large price for his freedom and for that of others. And now more than 100 years after his death, a overdue honor is being paid to him.

As a descendant of enslaved people whose lives were dramatically affected by the actions of men like Pvt. Lewis Martin, I am so moved that at last he is getting the one thing that he deserved--to be honored and to have a military marker. My guess is that he never lived to hear these four simple words uttered to him in his lifetime, so I shall say them here:

"Thank you, Pvt. Martin".

Thousands of people visit Oak Ridge Cemetery each year. I hope that a new tradition will come. A few hundred feet away from Abraham Lincoln, I hope some will take that stroll to his grave site in the pauper's section. Leave a penny on his stone and thank him for his bravery, and for his service. The war was, after all so that he and others would make this a more perfect union for all.

Bounty Records of US Colored Troops, in Arkansas Freedman's Bureau Records P - S

2013-10-16T08:57:00.004-07:00

This is the fourth in a series of articles found in the Arkansas Freedman's Bureau offices from the Little Rock Field Office. Previous articles posted in the series have reflected the rare and previously unseen Bounty records of US Colored Troops, and the payments that they received. I have been amazed to see the variety of regiments from which the soldiers came as many never mustered into Arkansas based regiments. The first article represented surnames beginning with letter A through D. The second article in the series represented surnames beginning with E through I. The third article represented J through O, and this piece represents surnames beginning with P through S.

Note that for those soldiers who were deceased, the next of kin often received the bounty payment.

The source for all images came from Internet Archive.

Polk, Burl - Pearcy, James

Peoples, Green - Parker, Thomas

Qualls, Jackson

Reed, Jackson - Rixley, Alfred

Randall, Chas., - Rodgers, Richard

Rector, Sarah, Widow, - Rogers Johnson

Smiley, Calvin - Sweeney, Adam

Stanley, Isaac - Smith, Freeman

Squire, Joseph - Sandy, Willis

Sewell Ann (Widow) - Stinson, Adaline (Sister)

TO BE CONTINUED

Bounty Records of US Colored Troops, in Arkansas Freedman's Bureau Records J - O

2013-10-08T18:54:00.001-07:00

Cover of page preceding names of soldiers receiving bounty payment

This represents the third in a series of articles found in the Freedman's Bureau offices from the Little Rock Field Office. The names on these pages represent the names of Black Union Soldiers who received Bounty payments. The first article contained surnames beginning with letters A through D. The second article in this series, contained surnames beginning with letters E through I. This article represents surnames J through O. All of the records were found in Record Group 105 and were found from a digitized resource on the Internet Archive, website.

Johnson, Martin - Johnson, Neeley

Record Group 105 Arkansas USCT Bounty Records

Source of Images: Internet Archive

Jackson, Andrew F. - Jordan, Pleasant

King, William - Kyer, Frances, Mother of Moses Arbuckle

Lawson, Moses - Lewis, Ephraim

Level, Malinda (Widow of Albert Level) - Jerome Lewis's grandchildren

Long, Albert - LeFleur, Henry

Marks, Isom - Marion, Wm.

Monroe, James - Moore, Thornton

McLoure, George - Mills, Jack

McNeal, Dennis - Miller, Calvin

Noal, Thomas - Noal, Claiborne

Long, Albert, - LeFleur, Henry

* * * * *

Bounty Records of US Colored Troops, in Arkansas Freedman's Bureau Records E - I

2013-09-30T12:12:00.001-07:00

This is a continuation of the names of Black Union soldiers who received bounty payments in Arkansas. The previous article contained surnames A through D. This article will contain surnames E though I. The records were found in Record Group 105 which reflect the many pages of records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands. The Field Office from which these records were found were the Little Rock Arkansas Field Office.

One observation that I made was that the soldiers were from regiments were from multiple states, including Arkansas USCT regiments. I had expected that they might have all been in the same unit, but in this case that was not the situation. It is not clear if Arkansas is where the men happened to have settled, after the war, and thus they applied through the Field office, or what their circumstances might have been.

I also noticed that some of the men received bounty payments as late as 1869. Nevertheless, the list continues and for all interested in documents from post Civil War Arkansas, this ledger is worth researching.

Note that the source of all Images come from the Internet Archive.

Elliott, Abraham - Emerson, Phillip

Source of Images

Ford, Hurd - Farmer, Sam'l

Frazier, Robt - Foster, Peter

Gaines, George - Gordia, George

Garnett, Randolph - Guy, Bristow

Gordan, James (Brother to Lewis Green) - Goodwin, Calvin

Hollus, George - Hayes, Punch

Harding, Zacahariah - Haley, Ned

Harris, George - Haney, Mary (sister of Giles Hainey)

Hardwick, Anson - Hampton, Rachel (widow of Wade Hampton)

Isom & Fanni (Parties of Squire Waters) - Ingraham, Charles

To Be Continued

* * * * *

Bounty Records of US Colored Troops, in Arkansas Freedman's Bureau Records A - D

2013-09-25T14:11:00.000-07:00

Ledger from Little Rock, Arkansas Field Office

Bounty Register
Roll of Claimants 1868 - 1871

Bounties were part of a cash system paid to individuals as an enticement to enlist in the military. This was frequently employed during the Civil War, and is said by many historians to have been a system that was widely abused. Nevertheless, after war many former soldiers signed up to get their bounty payments.

The evidence of payment of bounties to the US Colored Troops varies from regiment to regiment and also from state to state. In some places bounty records can be found on the state level in state archival records. In other cases such records have yet to emerge at all. And finally a few have been surfacing as researchers are discovering them, in various collections from repositories, to the un-indexed records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands.

While recently going through a miscellaneous reel of Freedman's Bureau microfilm form Arkansas, several pages containing the names of soldiers from various regiments of the US Colored Troops. These were apparently in a ledger of books from the Little Rock Field Office of the US Colored Troops. Since these ledgers are name-rich and contain names of soldiers, the pages are reproduced for readers here.

Note the columns at the top of each ledger page:

Ledgers reflecting names and regiments of soldiers and the amount paid to each soldier.

Askew, Joe - Armstrong, Solomon

Source of Image

Atkinson, Cesear - Jno Allen

Source of Image

Boland, Sandy - Brown, Tecumparth(?) Matilda-widow

Source of Image

Bogy, Lewis - William Brown

Source of Image

Brown, Clarissa (widow) - Bragg, Braxton

Source of Image

Barrett, Thornton - Brooks, Annie (sister of Abraham Johnson)

Source of Image

Brown, Albert - Bearden, Joseph

Source of Image

Collins, Stephen - Craig, James

Source of Image

Chatman, Randall - Cooper, Daniel

Source of Image

Carr, Daniel - Carr, Fannie, (widow of Levi Carr)
Source of Image

Carey, Frances - Cain, Green

Source of Image

Davis, John - Daniel, Nelson

Source of Image

Dorch, Edmund - Dunn, Alex

Source of Image

TO BE CONTINUED

* * * * *

At Last Their Names Are Called: Men of the 56th US Colored Infantry

2013-08-17T01:37:00.001-07:00

In August of 1866, 175 Black Union Soldiers died on the way home to Missouri after the Civil War. They had fought for their freedom and had won. But they would never live to enjoy the freedom they earned for themselves and their loved ones. An epidemic of cholera erupted and 175 lives would be lost. They were returned to Missouri and buried, on Coke Island at first and later in 1939 their remains were transferred to St. Louis Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery for reburial, but this second time they were placed in a mass grave, with nothing to designate who they were.

Today, after 80 years, the names of 175 men of the 56th US Colored Infantry have had their names shared once again to the world.

In a special ceremony organized by Sarah Cato and other members of the St. Louis African American Genealogy & History Society, these men were remembered. All of these men died in August 1866, and today on a beautiful summer day in August, they were honored.

When they were moved to the National Cemetery in 1939, they were placed in a mass grave with a stone that simply said, "Unknown" . But their names were known, and were recorded in the official records as well as in a later publication. The St. Louis genealogy group learned of this occurrence several months ago, and became involved in correcting the omission of their names and the lack of honor due these men. (Karen Baker of the St. Louis group and Sarah Cato shared their names and they appear in the list below.)

Today, in a moving ceremony at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis Missouri, their names were read, and honor was brought back to these freedom fighters of the 56th US Colored Infantry.

NAMES OF THE SOLDIERS:

Read aloud by George Abingdon (A Descendant of 1 of the 175 soldiers.)

1. Granville Avington

2. Samuel Randall

3. John Quinn

4. Jerry Craig

5. John Cartwright

6. Alfred Lindsey

7. Tecumseh Brown

8. Charles Rose

9. William Lewis

10. Fountain Harris

Read aloud by Jeff Barnes:

1. John Veny

2. Willie Smith

3. James Willis

4. Thomas Boles

5. Edgar Boles

6. Chatman Pryor

7. Elijah Bond

8. Samuel Harris

9. Abner Howell

10. Moses Jones

Read aloud by Chris Holland

1. Thomas Lewis

2. Henry Harrison

3. David Haywood

4. John Morse

5. Mario Jenkins

5. Israel Pryor

7. Warren Anderson

8. William J. Thomas

9. Peter P. Jackman

10. Joseph Collins “

Read aloud by John Scates

1. Juber Dunlap

2. Henry Ellis

3. Marion Woodson

4. Jupiter Mack

5. Charles Might

6. Samuel Henderson

7. Dennis Ewing

8. George Gibbs

9. William Johnson

10. Edward Fields

Read aloud by Lou Aboussie

1. George Washington

2. Washington Russell

3. James Crow

4. Bazil Hawkins

5. Henry Eli

6. Daniel Hubbard

7. Oliver Wilson

8. Lewis Johnston

9. Oliver C. Griggs

10. Alfred Amis

Read aloud by John Boesch

1. James Russell

2. George Singleton

3. Charles Malcome

4. Hezekiah Nuckels

5. Horace Foster

6. Jesse Wilson

7. Kit Caldwell

8. James Fisher

9. James Washington

10. Henry Washington

Read aloud By Freddie Dunlap

1. Jerry Kaufman

2. William Hayes

3. Garrett Pryor

4. Samuel Gilbert

5. John Harrison

6. Charles Green

7. Moses White

8. Antoni Ball

9. Shadrick Davis “

10. Andrew Ford

Read aloud by Alex Detrick

1. George Harvey

2. John Burt

3. Israel Day

4. Joseph Johnson

5. Alvin Colwell

6. Samuel Payne

7. Albert Nicholas

8. Alfred Somers

9. James Crigler

10. Jackson Collins

Read aloud by Frank Smith

1. Richard Berry

2. Henry Colman

3. Robert Jones

4. Drew I. Bell

5. Edward Ferguson

6. Richard Allen

7. Dary Washington

8. Philip Beasley

9. Isam Wooten

10. Jefferson Fort

Read aloud by Beverly Harris

1. Alexander Allcom

2. Booker Bowles

3. Patrick Chiles

4. Henry Payton

5. Levi J. Eckles

6. William T. Adams

7. William Alexander

8. Daniel Taylor

9. Dennis Ewing

10. Richard Fort

Read aloud by Edwina Lindsay

1. George Henderson

2. Paris Sebastian

3. George McGruder

4. Levi McCaney

5. Alexander Anderson

6. Hamilton Allen

7. William Bird

8. Adam Brown

9. Henry Everson

10. Alfred Elliott

Read aloud by Charles Brown

1. Charles Fowler

2. Augustus Gibson

3. Edward Harris

4. Emanuel Richardson

5. Thomas Williams

6. Samuel Perkins

7. Frank Enyard

8. Unknown

9. Unknown

10. Unknown

Read aloud by Josephine Carter

1. Lewis Hartson

2. Alexander Hutchinson

3. Silas Jefford

4. Lucian Lewis

5. Neelus Miller

6. Gilbert Ray

7. Fieldin Robinson

8. John Turner

9. Parker Wall

10. Andy Thomas

Read aloud by Pat Simmons

1. Caleb Hamilton

2. Frank Sullivan

3. George Childers

4. Joshua Jeff

5. William Church

6. James Alexander

7. Baker Grigsby

8. George English

9. Henry Kitchen

10. Jacob Reed

Read aloud by Carola Wright

1. Scott Glasby

2. Samuel Bedford

3. Justus Allen

4. Norbert Abernathy

5. Alexander Underwood

6. Thomas Dowell

7. Joseph Brooks

8. William Devlan

9. James Floyd

10. George Washington

Read aloud by Karen Baker

1. Philip Stark

2. Frank Harris

3. Jones Stuart

4. Allie Smith

5. Lewis Westover

6. Joseph Williams

7. John Pitzer

8. Doctor Henderson

9. Issac David

10. Walker Scott

Read aloud by John La Grone

1. Amos Samuels

2. Squire Cowherd

3. William Walker

4. Howard Cowan

5. Richard Cates

6. Harrison Strauther

7. Samuel Maupin

8. Fred MaGuire

9. Jeter Pitts

10. Sanford Hill

Read aloud by Harold Russell

1. John (last name unknown)

2. Unknown

3. Unknown

4. Unknown

5. Unknown

"An ancestor never dies till there is no one left to call their name."

Yoruba Proverb

Remembering 175 Men of the 56th US Colored Infantry

2013-08-09T21:14:00.001-07:00

On August 16th, at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis 175 Union soldier will have their names read. These men had served the Union, fought for freedom, and had earned their honors as soldiers of bravery and courage. Towards the end of the war, disease had struck many of these men, some of whom were already weakened by injuries in the war. Cholera had broken out and as they were finally tasting the first days of true freedom at the end of the war, these men never tasted civilian life as free men, for these men died of cholera.

They were buried at the time of their death and their bodies were at rest, until 1939 when they were all placed in a mass grave. No markers bear their names, their remains were mixed and men who died in dignity as US soldiers were reburied with nothing to indicate who they were, nor anything about their regiment. Although their service was clearly known, this was the fate of 175 Black men, who served in the 56th United States Colored Infantry.

But now in 2013 in a few days, these men will be honored, their names will be read, and their service will be recognized. The ultimate goal is to obtained memorial headstones for these men, whose names are known and whose history is not lost--it was simply overlooked and then forgotten. But now at last, the city where they are buried will honor them.

A memorial service has been planned for August 16th. A color guards, reenactors, and a service will honor these men, and a presentation of the colors of the regiment will also be presented. A descendant of one of the men has been found, and there will be a major effort to restore dignity to men whose nation has looked the other way for decades.

The St. Louis African American Genealogical Society has taken steps to honor these men and they will among those chosen to call the names of the 175 men.

Coming up in August, 175 men will be remembered and given some long overdue respect. Towards the end of the Civil War, many black men were still in service and

Remembering The Battle of Honey Springs on the 150th Anniversary

2013-07-19T12:25:00.002-07:00

Centennial Stories from the Oklahoma Historical Society

A forgotten story comes from a small settlement near Checotah Oklahoma. In the town of what is now Rentiesville Oklahoma, on the Texas Road a major battle occurred 150 years ago, this week. The Battle of Honey Springs.

The battle of Honey Springs, involved men from multiple communities, and this battle involved whites, blacks and Indians as well. Many of the black soldiers came from Indian Territory and their story was a special one indeed, as well. Many fled into Kansas and enlisted when opportunity came. Many of the Black soldiers came from Indian Territory having been enslaved by the Five tribes that had brought slaves with them to the west. And this battle was significant as those once enslaved in lands outside of the United States, were fighting for their Freedom as well.

Many of the black soldiers served in the 1st and 2nd Kansas Colored. These two regiments were later re-designated as the 79th and 83rd US Colored Infantries. They were freedom fighters like their brethren in the United States states, and their story should be told and should be remembered.

Following The Footsteps of Black Civil War Nurses

2013-04-29T20:53:00.001-07:00

This service card reflects the Hospital Muster Roll

USA General Hospital, Little Rock Arkansas of Amelia Allen who Served in the

Union Army Hospital, Little Rock Arkansas, during the Civil War

Source: National Archives RG 94, Entry 535 Box 1

Last July I wrote an article about a ledger that I had located reflecting the service of "Colored Contract Nurses" who served in the American Civil War. In that ledger most of the nurses served in hospitals from Maryland to North Carolina. However I became quite interested in the additional places were women of color worked for the Union Army as Nurses, Matrons, and as laborers including laundresses and cooks.

I later stumbled upon another set of records by accident. I was looking for a soldier who served in an Arkansas regiment, from the 57th US Colored Infantry. As this is one of my favorite regiments, I was interested in learning how many men in the entire regiment had filed for pensions and received them. I was leisurely scrolling through the regimental pension index when an unusual pension card caught my eye.

As expected there was the name of the soldier, his application number and his certificate number indicating that he had received a pension. It also was noted that his widow later applied for and received a widow's pension. This is common and appears on many cards where the pensioner was survived by a widow. But it was the note at the bottom of the card that struck me as a real find!

This pension index card made a reference to a US Colored Soldier's widow

who applied for her own pension earned for having served as a nurse.

(Regimental Pension Index, 57th US Colored Infantry,

Benjamin Moore, Co. B, 57th US Colored Infantry)

Upon seeing that information I had two tasks to complete that day. First I had to learn the name of his widow, as she was not named on the Pension Index Card. Secondly I had to ask whether names of other women who served as nurses could be found. I was successful on both counts!

The Pension file was thick--extremely thick and in the midst of the many pages (well over 150 pages) was a separate set of documents pertaining to Clara Moore. I had found her name, and tucked into his file was her own Pension File. This is one reason the file was thick. The other reason was that there was a contesting widow who also claimed to be the widow of the same man! (But that is another story to tell at another time.) I was enthralled by having documented a woman of color who served as a nurse in the Civil War

Portion of document from Civil War Pension Claim of Clara Moore, Civil War Nurse

Clara's case was actually no without its complications. The surgeon under whom she worked as a nurse was deceased by the time she filed for her own pension, and there was difficulty in locating evidence of her having served, with the 57th as a nurse. Proving her case turned out to be difficult, even though there was evidence in the file that she did serve and others made statements under oath of her service. Even very specific data was obtain pertaining to her enlistment and discharge dates were found. And I was please to find a detailed statement from Clara herself who also told part of her story.

I learned as I read through the file, that Clara and her husband later moved to Indiana after the Civil War, and then their marriage ended a few years later. However, both Clara and Benjamin remained in Indiana for the rest of their lives and for whatever reason, never returned to Arkansas.

Could others be found?
My second interest was learning whether more women of color who served in the war could be found and identified. My task was to spend some time with the military specialist at the Archives, and see if more names could be located.

What a surprise to find that there is a series of service cards, pertaining to Civil War staff, including hospital employees. There are seven boxes in fact of service cards reflecting the service of civilian staff that served in Union hospitals. I wasted little time, and requested to see these records.

The documents were identified as part of Record Group 94, Records of the Adjutant General's Office. The entry number is 535, and I decided on a recent trip to begin the process of documenting these women. I pulled the first box and began to sort through the many cards.

Label from Box 1 of RG 94, Entry 535.

Since there were so many cards, I decided to begin a methodical approach to this effort and I began a process that will unfold over the next several months--to document all women of color who served as medical attendants in some capacity during the Civil War. Some had humble jobs as laundresses and cooks, but others worked alongside the doctors and surgeons as nurses and matrons.

So, beginning with the Box 1, and surnames beginning with the letter "A", my job has begun. In most cases women of color were flagged in some way with the letters "Col" or occasionally the word "Colored" spelled out. But their service records were there, and I was fascinated to also see the names of the hospitals where they served, as well. Some were familiar to me, but so many more were not.

Sample of Service Cards of "Colored" Matron

who worked at Balfour USA General Hospital, in Portsmouth VA

Only looking at the cards, one can see that nurses of color were utilized throughout the nation were wounded needed care.In the cards below, the service of two different women are reflected. They are both called Anna, but one can see that one served in Mississippi and the other in Tennessee.

Service cards of two nurses. On served at the Freedman's Hospital in Memphis

and the other served at a hospital for Freedmen in Davis Bend, Mississippi.

So my project begins.

Over the next several months I shall access this collection of service records of Civil War nurses, and record the image of all women of color who served as nurses, matrons, laundresses and cooks.

Like other pertinent stories of the Civil War, these women, most of whom has just tasted the flavor of freedom, gave their all nursing those suffering from wounds, and from disease.

May their stories also be told and may they never be forgotten!

* * * * *

2013-02-21T04:16:00.000-08:00

As March approaches, the 150th Anniversary of the organization of the US Colored Infantry took place. In honor of this regiment and it's amazing history, this video is shared. The video is part of a five year series provided by the Charles Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit Michigan.

A Sesquicentennial Year: Honoring The United States Colored Troops

2013-01-01T20:20:00.002-08:00

Recruitment Poster for US Colored Soldiers

This is a milestone year for many reasons. The institution of slavery was beginning to become dismantled. On January 1st of 1863, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Of course the proclamation was more symbolic than directly effective, however, it was significant nevertheless. But a true stake was driven into the heart of the institution of slavery, in the spring of 1863, when a Bureau was established to organize regiments of "colored troops" to join the War. The companies formed were to be consolidated into batallions and regiments by the Adjutant General. Non commissioned officers were to be chosen from the men in the various companies.

The year 1863 was significant primarily because men of color were finally allowed to become officially involved in their own quest for Freedom. But they did not enter the war as runaways, they entered it directly as men willing to directly confront their enslavers, and to fight for the right to live as free men. And so it was, in May of 1863 a mere four months after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, General Order 143 was released. This order possibly had a greater impact on the lives of the enslaved than any other order during the War.

General Order 143: Creation of the Bureau of US Colored Troops

Source: General Order No. 143, May 22, 1863; Orders and Circulars, 1797-1910; Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780's-1917; Record Group 94; National Archives.

With so many commemorative events occurring between 2011 and 2015, it should be understood that one of the most critical years of the Civil War was 1863.

Finally black soldiers were allowed to enter the ensuing battle in their midst. Although the goal was to preserve the Union for many and for others the battle was to secede and continue life as they knew it - including maintaining enslaving an entire people--for those who were allowed to enlist as Colored Troops, the issue was a simple one. Theirs was a fight for freedom!

The effort to organize the various units was an enormous one, and by the end of the war there were more than 170 units, and these men comprised more than one tenth of the entire Union Army.

It should be pointed out that most of the enlisted men were "volunteers" enlisting to serve primarily in the War effort. These were designated as "US Colored" soldiers. However, in addition, there were some who were part of the regular army, such as the 5th Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry, 54th and 55th Massachusetts Colored Infantries, and the 29th Connecticut Infantry.

It is also important to note that there were some units of men of color who had already organized, such as a group in North Carolina, the First North Carolina Colored Volunteers. Also a year earlier, in 1862, in Kansas two regiments had organized and had seen action against the enemy. The First and Second Kansas Colored had already made a name for themselves a year before the US Colored Troops were organized.. Later these units re-designated brought under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of the United States Colored Troops as well. These men were all a part of a mighty effort of men of color who were true Freedom Fighters.

The enlistment of Black soldiers had a major impact on the families of the enslaved. Men were given freedom upon enlistment, and in many communities, the wives and children of those men who enlisted, often seized the opportunity and also freed themselves, forming communities near some of the Union encampments.These civilians were designated as "contrabands" of war, and many experienced freedom the first time due to the formation of regiments in their vicinity.

The participation of these Black men in the war was notable. They participated in major battles and campaigns from the Atlantic to the western theatre of the war. There were 17 Medal of Honor winners emerged from the US Colored Troops. However, the stories of all of the men who were truly men of courage must be told. The individual stories of the men are surfacing all the time, and finally these heroic freedom fighters are being honored.

Hopefully as the anniversary of the organization of the various units unfold during 2013, the communities where they were formed will honor these men! Because of what they did , true freedom came faster. Some paid the ultimate price for that freedom, and their courage should be honored during this sesquicentennial year.

Sgt. Major Christian Fleetwood, Medal of Honor Winner

Source

In Memory: William A. Gladstone

2012-11-11T15:02:00.002-08:00

Image of William Gladstone courtesy of Bennie J. McRae.

Image source here.

It was just shared today that Civil War author and historian William A. Gladstone passed away on Wednesday November 7th 2012.

He was the author of two books about the United States Colored Troops and shared his passion regarding the history of the US Colored Troops with many. I have often used his book as a quick reference when I need to look up the origin of a USCT regiment.

A list of all regiments of USCTs and where they were organized from Gladstone's book United States Colored Troops

His work has also been useful when I need to know the date and site of a Civil War battle involving USCTs.

Index of Battles provides a useful references.

Gladstone's work is appreciated and he will be missed by many in the community of Civil War historians.