WELCOME Below is a continuation of the olde This & That group that my SUPIDITY deleted,lol.A little bit of everything with a HEAVY emphasis on computer news,freeware and problem solving along with Strange,Music_tv_radio_video,world,politics_U.S.,medical,children,and LOTS more.Combining the olde TNT,TNT PC AND GOOD NEWS DAILY into a single announcement only newsletter style ROFL! THIS time,i have a moderator to keep me from doing such a stupid thing again!!! NEW THIS N THAT CHECK IT OUT !
AFRICAN AMERICAN MILITARY HISTORY 1619-2007 [ PART #1 of 3 pages ] What, you may ask,is a caucasian,Irish-Catholic doing writing about African American history ? Well,about a year ago,a friend [ Yevonne Carney-Harrison ] knowing of my 2 hobbies [ internet & military history ] asked me if I would look up an ancestor who had served in the civil war this ancestor is Sgt. Carney of the U.S. 54th Massechusetts [ colored ] Inf. Reg. Well,looking at all those interesting links on websites dedicated to both Sgt. Carney and/or the 54th Mass. [ colored ] Inf. Reg. intrigued the military history buff in meself. What follows is the result of following those links. So I deicate this website to Yevonne and Sgt. Carney there is just sooo much info I have to use 3 pages!!! this will get you to WW 1
Military history of African Americans - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia LINK HERE Complete List of African American CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR LINK HERE Colonial Manumission of Slavery and Date of Abolishment of Slavery by Colony
VIRGINIA: 1619-1667 freed if baptism into puritan church 1650 free by providing slave replacement 1690-1712 freed by owner's will 1783 all who served in Continental Army or State Militia durin Revolution,were freed [ caveate: all who were freed,by any means,must leave colony within 6 months or be reenslaved ] MASS: 1701 freed by baptism into puritan church 1780 aboloishes slavery
R.I.: 1651 free after 10 years service 1701 free with baptism into puritan church 1774 prohibits furthur importation of slaves 1777 free after service in Continental Army or State Militia 1784 abolishes slavery
CT: 1774 prohibits furthur importation of slavery 1784 abolishes slavery
MARYLAND: 1663 ended manumission by baptism 1681 children of mixed marriages are born freemen
VERMONT: 1777 abolishes slavery
PENN: prior to 1780 slaves freed on 28th birthday 1780 abolishes slavery
NEW HAMPSHIRE: 1783 abolised slavery
N.Y.: 1774 free after 3 years service in state militia 1779 abolishes slavery
DEL: 1777 forbibs furthur importation of slaves 1789 abolishes slavery
GA: 1734-1738
N.C.: 1775 manumission for "meritorious service" by govenor
1652-156 REQUIRES all slaves to be given military training S.C.:
1707 REQUIRED all slave onwers to have 1 armed slave for every white militiaman 1715 African-Americans served in the S.C. miltia fighting against the yamasee indians 1747 drafts 50% of all slaves/freedmen into colonial militia
GA: 1755 allowed slaves to be armed in "emergencies" 1778 reported to Congress: 755 African-Americans in Continental Army Regiments of the Line and over 4,000 in colonial miltia MARYLAND: 1780 recruits African-Americans [ free ] into militia 1781 DRAFTS ALL African-American freedmen into militia [ 750 ] RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE
FRENCH-INDIAN WAR 1756-1763 African-Americans in 25 co.'s of colonial militia units
AMERICAN REVOLUTION 1775-1783 African Americans in the American Revolution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia LINK HERE 5,000 African-Americans were either in the Continental Line Regiments or colonial miltia units. More than 15,000 colonial troops defended Boston at Breed's Hill, Bunker Hill, and Dorchester Heights following the battles of Lexington and Concord. African-American soldiers comprised approximately one-third of the rebel troops. Five thousand British troops under the command of General Gage stormed Breed's Hill, where colonial soldiers were encamped. In their fourth charge up the hillside, the British took the hill from the rebels, who had run out of ammunition. The last rebels left on the hill evaded capture by the British, thanks to the heroic efforts of Peter Salem, an African-American soldier who mortally wounded the British commanding officer who led the last charge. by Col. Trumbull, an eyewitness, done in 1785, gives Peter Salem , with other black patriots, a conspicuous place. One of the latter is thus commemorated: "To the Honorable General Court of the Massachusetts Bay: The subscribers beg leave to report to your Honorable House (which we do in justice to the character of so brave a man), that, under our own observation, we declare that a negro man, called Salem Poor, of Col. Frye's regiment, Capt. Ames' company, in the late battle at Charlestown, behaved like an experienced officer, as well as an excellent soldier. To set forth particulars of his conduct would be tedious. We would beg leave to say, in the person of this said negro, centres a brave and gallant soldier. The reward due to so great and distinguished a character, we submit to the Congress."Cambridge, Dec. 5, 1755. Notable A.A. units:
R.I.: The 1st Rhode Island Regiment By the winter of 1777-78 (Valley Forge), the Continental Army had dwindled from 18,000 to about 8,000 from disease and desertion. The situation was grim. Philadelphia was occupied. The Continental Congress was meeting in cramped quarters in York, Pennsylvania. The Congress approved a Rhode Island proposal to raise an entire regiment of free blacks and Slaves! The Rhode Island legislature, full of men connected to Rhode Island's extensive slave trade, provided for compensation to slave owners of up to 120 English Pounds or $400.00 in Continental currency. The slaves, then, would be purchased by the state and once they passed muster by Colonel Greene would be freed. The regiment, however, was never entirely composed of former slaves or even African-Americans. White men, free blacks, and a few Narragansett Indians were present from the beginning. Over time, the unit resembled most of the Continental forces with a mix of whatever recruits could be found. That the majority of the men in this regiment were African American through most of the war was due to the terms of enlistment for former slaves. Colonel Greene commanded the unit from its formation in 1778 until his death at Points Bridge in 1781. In all, the unit saw five years of service and was a part of the Continental line at the battles of Rhode Island, Point’s Bridge and Yorktown. The regiment was an active part of the American effort, and at Points Bridge; they were particularly noticed for their effectiveness in the field. For many of the men of the First Rhode Island Regiment freedom had not only political meaning, but personal meaning as well.
MASS: Bucks of America Reg.
BRITISH ARMY: 10,000 African-Americans enlisted into the British army after being promised their freedom after the war ends. Regimental History: Black Pioneers LINK HERE Regimental History: Ethiopian Regiment LINK HERE Jamaica Rangers LINKS HERE Mosquito Shore Volunteers LINK HERE Royal Artillery Regiment LINK HERE Other historical records recorded other colonial black freedom fighters: Lemuel Haynes, Primas Black, and Epheram Black who fought as Minutemen at Lexington and Concord, April, 1775. Peter Salem, Salem Poor, and Jude Hall were soldiers at Bunker Hill, June, 1775. Prince Whipple [ whom legend has it sits on the right side of Gen. Washington's knee,in the painting Washinton Crosses the Delaware ] and Oliver Cromwell served with General George Washington crossing the Delaware, just before the Battle of Trenton, December 25, 1779. Other U. S. units included the names:
Charles Davis * Joshua Dunbar * Samuel Dunbar * Prince Easterbrooks * James Forten * Doss Freeman * Tobias Gilmore * Peter Galloway * Primas Hall * Job Hathaway * Ebenezer Hill * Thomas Hollen * Peter Jennings * Abrose Lewis * Titus Minor * Jerimiah Moho * Pomp Peters * Cato Prince * Esek Roberts * Caesar Sankee * Prince Vaughn * Sipeo Watson * Cuff Whitemore * Jesse Wood Additional names included:
William Appleby * William Balontino * Steven Bond * Charles Bowles * Scipio Brown * George Buley * Seymore Burr * Isaac Carr * Noel Carriere * Samuel Charlton * Caesar Clark * George Cooper * Richard Cozzens * Paul Cuffee * Austin Dabney * John Featherston * Cate Fisk * Jude Hall * Edward Hector * Francis Herd * Agrippa Hull * Jabez Jolly * Jeremy Jonah * Barzillai Lew * Luke Nickelson * Isaac Perkins * Christopher Poynos * Arly Randale * Joseph Ranger * Abram Read * Pomp Reeves * James Robinson * Joel Taburn * John Wheeler * Archelaus White * Cato Wood As the war ended, Loyalist slaveowners took an estimated 75,000 to 100,000 slaves with them; some had been captured from Patriot owners. They were usually taken to the British sugar colonies in the West Indies, like Jamaica, where life expectancy was short. About 400 to 1000 free blacks went to London and joined the community of about 10,000 free blacks there. About 3500 to 4000 went to the British colonies of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, where the British provided many with land. Over 1,500 settled in Birchtown, Nova Scotia, instantly making it the largest free black community in North America. However about 1,500 were dissatisfied and left Nova Scotia for the new British colony of Sierra Leone in Africa after 1787, where they became part of the ruling elite In Conclusion, there were five ways for blacks to serve during the American Revolution. 1) Free blacks could enlist for bounties. 2) Runaway slaves could lie about their status and join. 3) Slaves could serve as substitutes for white masters. 4) Slaves could be bought by State governments and freed upon service. (All New England States followed PA’s lead and abolished slavery in their new State Constitutions.) and 5) Slaves could escape to the British or Germans. One account has black men dying at Yorktown fighting for the Americans, for the French, for the British and for the Germans.
Those A.A.'s who were willing, able, or chosen to fight the British for America's defense did so with unusual valor. They fought in various campaigns on both sea and land. Blacks served in naval vessels, in mixed regiments, and in all "colored" regiments. Many were taken as prisoners by the British. One exemplary unit was the TWENTY-SIXTH U. S. INFANTRY REGIMENT consisting of 247 "colored" recruits from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania under the command of Captain William Bezean Documented names of the African American soldiers during the WAR OF 1812 included among them:
John Alfred * George Barnwell * John Brown * John Davis * Joshua Derwood * Jean Louis Dolliole * Simon Duke * John Eames * Cuff Farmer * Ezekieh Folden * Jacob Freeny * Quamenaugh Fuller * Abraham Gossard * John Johnson * Samuel Looks * Samuel Moore * Isaac Parcells * Vincent Populus * Joseph Savory * William Thatcher * John Bathan Vashon * Henry Willis * George Wilton N.Y.:
2 reg.'s of inf Louisiana: 1 batt. of inf Penn.: 1 batt. of inf 10% of naval personnel were A.A. 26th ing reg. from ? RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE
THE MEXICAN AMERICAN WAR, 1846-1848 Military records have produced names for many of the soldiers. The First Regiment of Volunteers, New York; the Fourth Artillery; and the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Infantry regiments provided many names. Besides the infantry, ample names were connected with the U. S. Navy, and many were company musicians. Among those who served were:
John Bechtel * David Black * James Bose * John Conter * Charles Debeque * Alexander C. Elliot * Joseph Garrison * Moses Johnson * Greenberry Logan * Samuel McCullough * Charles McGee * Conday Monison * Jordan B. Noble * John Rouse * Robert Spoltswood * Henry C. Sprague * Joe Travis * Carel Wentzel 1st Vol. Reg. [ NY ]
4th Art. Reg. 9th,10th,11th,13th inf reg.
A number of blacks in the Army during the Mexican War were servants of the officers who received government compensation for the services of their servants/slaves. Also, soldiers from the Louisiana Battalion of Free Men of Color participated in this war. Additionally, blacks served on a number of naval vessels during the Mexican War, including the U.S.S. Portsmouth, and the U.S.S. Columbus. Black soldiers in the Mexican American War comprised a list of freedmen who felt they were mainly showing loyalty to their country by fighting for LIBERTY. Military records have produced names for many of the soldiers. The First Regiment of Volunteers, New York; the Fourth Artillery; and the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Infantry regiments provided many names. Besides the infantry, ample names were connected with the U. S. Navy, and many were company musicians. RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE
* Capt. Francis S. Dodge, Troop D, 1879; 2nd Lt. George R. Burnett, 1881; 2nd Lt. Matthais W. Day, Co. I, 1879; 2nd Lt. Robert T. Emmet, Co. G, 1879; 1st Sgt. Moses Williams, Co. I, 1881; Sgt. Thomas Boyne, Co. C, 1879; Sgt. John Denny, Co. B, 1879; Sgt. George Jordon, Co. K, 1880; Sgt. Henry Johnson, Co. D, 1890; Sgt. Thomas Shaw, Co. K, 1881; Sgt. Emanuel Stance, Co. F, 1870; Sgt. Brent Woods, Co. B, 1881; Corp. Clinton Greaves, Co. C, 1877; Corp. William O. Wilson, Co.I, 1890; Pvt. Augustus Walley, Co. I, 1881 10TH U.S. CAVALRY REG.
* Capt. Louis H. Carpenter, Co. H, 1868; 2nd Lt. Powhaten H. Clarke, 1886; Sgt. William McBryar, Co. K, 1890 10th Cavalry, Cuban Campaign
* Sgt. Major Edward L. Baker, Jr.; Pvt. Dennis Bell, Troop H; Pvt. Fitz Lee, Troop M
In July1866, however, Congress passed legislation establishing two cavalry and four infantry regiments (later consolidated to two) whose enlisted composition was to be made up of African-Americans. The majority of the new recruits had served in all Black units during the war. 24TH,25TH INF. REG.S RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE
THE CIVIL WAR 1861-1865 United States Colored Troops the United States Colored Troops (USCT). Approximately 175 regiments comprised of over 178,000 free blacks and freed slaves Approximately 164 regiments, 10 batteries of light artillery, independent units, Pioneer Corps, and unassigned USCT units were organized in the Confederate States by the Union Army or as state militia in the North. The vast majority were redesignated as United States Colored Troops after the establishment of the Bureau of Colored Troops on May 22, 1863. NOTE: The 29th Connecticut Infantry Regiment, 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment,55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, and the 5th Massachusetts Colored Cavalry Regiment maintained State designations throughout the war. Between 178,000 and 200,000 Black enlisted and White officers served under the Bureau of Colored Troops which was established by General Order No. 143 on May 22, 1863. Approximately 94,000 men were ex-slaves from states that had seceded from the Union. Approximately 44,000 were ex-slaves or freemen from the border states, and the remainder were recruited from the northern states and the Colorado Territory, many who were ex-slaves that went north on the Underground Railroad. LINK HERE Charles Tyler Trowbridge was said to have been the first person to enlist Colored soldiers in the Union Army. He did so in the Spring of 1862 while serving on the staff of General David Hunter, during the organizing of the 1st South Carolina Volunteers. The unit was not mustered into the Union Army and was disbanded in August 1862, except for one company, and was re-organized later in the Fall of 1862.
The Cincinnati Black Brigade was organized in September 1862. The men served in three regiment for three weeks. Unarmed and without uniforms, the men built roads and fortifications in Northern Kentucky. The Louisiana Native Guards were the first black soldiers to be officially mustered into the Union Army. First engagement against the Confederates occurred on October 27 & 28, 1862 at Island Mound, Missouri by the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Regiment before being mustered into service. The regiment was organized in August 1862, mustered into service January 13, 1863, and later redesignated the 79th United States Colored Infantry Regiment. Most of the enlisted men were ex-slaves from Arkansas and Missouri. The second engagement involved the 1st South Carolina Colored Volunteers at Township, Florida on January 26, 1863. The largest number of regiments were organized in the following States: Louisiana - 36 regiments (approximately); Kentucky - 21 regiments; Tennessee - 18 regiments; and Mississippi - 11 regiments. Louisiana furnished 24,000 men; Kentucky - 23,000 men; Tennessee - 20,000 men; and Mississippi - 18,000 men. The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment was mustered into service on May 13,1863,approximately eight months after muster in of the Louisiana Native Guards. Numerous men from the Midwest and border states along with ex-slaves from the south traveled great distances to enlist and serve with the 54th and 55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiments, and the 5th Massachusetts Colored Cavalry Regiment. The United States Colored Troops participated in 449 engagements of which 39 were major battles. Eight regiments from Louisiana fought at Port Hudson, Louisiana from May 22 to July 8, 1863. The 9th Louisiana Volunteers, 11th Louisiana Volunteers and the 1st Mississippi Volunteers suffered extremely heavy losses during the Battle of Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, June 5 thru 7, 1863. (The units were redesignated respectively the 5th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery Regiment, 49th and 51st U.S. Colored Infantry Regiments.) One of the most significant engagements in the West occurred on July 17, 1863 during the Battle of Honey Springs, Indian Territory. The approximately 3,000 Union force included the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Regiment, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Indian Home Guard Regiments, and white State Militia units against approximately 6,000 mostly Texas Confederates. Other American Indian units also fought with the Confederates. The Confederate forces were defeated. The Union forces were defeated during the Battle of Olustee, Florida on February 20, 1864. Heavy losses were suffered by the 8th U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment, 35th U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment, and the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. Over 10,000 U.S. Colored Troops were recruited and trained at Camp Nelson, Kentucky. Thousands of ex-slaves gained their freedom at the camp and the Union Army established a refugee camp for these individuals throughout the war. Hundreds of Afro-British North Americans from Canada enlisted in 19 regiments of the United States Colored Troops. Others came from the Caribbean and some African countries.
Twenty-two regiments of U.S. Colored Troops participated in the Siege of Petersburg, Virginia from June 15, 1864 to April 2, 1865.
Thirteen U. S. Colored Infantry along with white units engaged the enemy at Chapin's (Chaffin's) Farm, Virginia on September 29 and 30, 1864. Thirteen members on the U. S. Colored Infantry Regiments were awarded the Medal of Honor. The 5th United States Colored Cavalry Regiment suffered losses of 114 enlisted and 4 officers during the Battle of Saltville, Virginia on October 2, 1864. The 3rd United States Colored Cavalry Regiment (organized in Memphis and northern Mississippi as the 1st Mississippi Colored Cavalry) participated in the second Grierson Raid from Memphis, Tennessee to Vicksburg, Mississippi commencing on December 21, 1864 and ending on January 13, 1865. Brigadier General Benjamin H. Grierson led three Brigades on this successful expedition. Harriet Tubman, a nurse, spy and scout, formerly a conductor on the Underground Railroad has been described as "the head of the intelligence service in the Department of the South" and as "the only American woman to lead troops black or white on the field of battle." The South Carolina raid under the command of Colonel James Montgomery and led by Harriet Tubman destroyed millions of dollars worth of commissary stores and cotton... and freed over 800 slaves and confiscated thousands of dollars worth of property. Eleven regiments of United States Colored Troops (8 from Louisiana, 1 from Mississippi, 1 from Missouri, and 1 organized in Louisiana and Mississippi) fought in the Mobile, Alabama Campaign (Battle of Fort Blakely) from March 31 to April 9, 1865. Two of the regiments served in an engineer brigade under the headquarters command Orders was issued on December 3, 1864 authorizing the formation of the Twenty-Fifth United States Army Corps. The Corps was the first and only Army Corps in the history of the country made up almost entirely of black infantry regiments, 30 U.S. Colored Infantry Regiments. In addition, 2 U. S. Colored Cavalry Regiments and a Battery of U. S. Colored Light Artillery was assigned to the Corps. On April 9, 1865, three U. S. Colored Infantry Regiments from the Twenty-Fifth United States Army Corps (29th, 31st, and 116th) were positioned along the advance line of 17 Union regiments that moved from the west towards Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia to prevent the Confederate forces from escaping westward. Three other U. S. Colored Infantry Regiments (8th, 41st, and 45th) also assigned to the Corps were positioned in the rear. Thirty-six Black Confederates, mostly slaves were paroled at Appomattox on April 9, 1865. The 62nd U. S. Colored Infantry Regiment (Missouri) participated in the last major engagement of the Civil War at Palmetto Ranch, Texas on May 15, 1865, over a month after General Lee's surrender at Appomattox, Virginia. LINK HERE UNITS
* The 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry * 3rd U.S. Colored Cavalry Regiment * 4th United States Colored Troops * 5th Massachusetts Colored Cavalry Regiment * 5th U.S. Colored Cavalry Regiment * 5th U.S. Colored Infantry * 6th U.S. Colored Cavalry Regiment * 8th U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment * 29th U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment * 51st U. S. Colored Infantry Regiment (Organized as 1st Mississippi Volunteer Infantry A. D.) * 55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment * 137th United States Colored Infantry Regiment * ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND * CORPS DE AFRIQUE * **Kentucky's United States Colored Troops * The Louisiana Native Guards * North Carolina's United States Colored Troops (Under construction) * **Twenty-Fifth United States Army Corps
LINK HERE ORGANIZATION OF UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS BY STATE/S LINK HERE UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS ....a brief history LINK HERE 29th Regiment, Connecticut Infantry (Colored) LINK HERE # 5th United States Colored Cavalry LINK HERE # 5th United States Colored Infantry Regiment LINK HERE 54th Massachusetts LINK HERE Painting of Sgt. Carney, First African American to win the Congressional Medal of Honor, with 54th.'s National Color. LINK HERE? Sergeant William H. Carney was one of 600 men who enlisted in the 54th MA Colored Infantry, the first African-American regiment raised in a free northern state east of the Mississippi River during the Civil War. On July 18, 1863, the 54th MA spearheaded the Union assault on Ft. Wagner, S.C. When the color bearer was killed, Sergeant Carney threw down his rifle, picked up the colors, and led the attack on the fort. Although wounded multiple times, Sergeant Carney maintained the colors atop a parapet and later returned the colors safely to the regiment. For these feats he became the first African-American to perform in a combat action that resulterd in the awarding of the Medal of Honor! Unit History of the 1st. SC Volunteer Infantry, Colored U.S. LINK HERE U.S.Colored.Troops. LINK HERE CONFEDERATE A.A. UNIT,THE LOUISIANA NATIVE GUARDS the ONLY military unit to serve BOTH union AND confederate armies !
LINK HERE Twenty-five African Americans earned the Medal of Honor during the American Civil War, including seven sailors of the Union Navy, fifteen soldiers of the United States Colored Troops, and three soldiers of other Army units.[1] Fourteen African American men earned the medal for actions in the Battle of Chaffin's Farm, where a division of U.S. Colored Troops saw heavy action. Another four men, all sailors, earned their medals at the Battle of Mobile Bay. William Harvey Carney was the first African American to perform an action for which a Medal of Honor was awarded, but Robert Blake was the first to actually receive the medal (Blake's was issued in 1864, Carney did not receive his until 1900).
Aaron Anderson Rank and organization: Landsman, U.S. Navy, USS Wyandank Date and place of action: 17 March 1865, Mattox Creek, Virginia Entered service: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Birth: 1811, Plymouth, North Carolina
Bruce Anderson* Rank and organization: Private, Company K, 142nd New York Volunteer Infantry Date and place of action: 15 January 1865, Second Battle of Fort Fisher, North Carolina Entered service: Schenectady, New York Birth: 19 June 1845, Mexico City, Mexico Death: August 22, 1922, Albany, New York
William Henry Barnes Rank and organization: Private, Company C, 38th U.S. Colored Infantry Date and place of action: 29 September 1864, Battle of Chaffin's Farm, Virginia Entered service: Norfolk, Virginia Birth: 1845, Saint Mary's County, Maryland Death: December 24, 1866, Indianola, Texas
Powhatan Beaty Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company G, 5th U.S. Colored Infantry Date and place of action: 29 September 1864, Battle of Chaffin's Farm, Virginia Entered service: Cincinnati, Ohio Birth: 8 October 1837, Richmond, Virginia, born into slavery Death: December 16, 1916
Robert Blake Rank and organization: Contraband, U.S. Navy, USS Marblehead Date and place of action: 25 December 1863, off Legareville in the Stono River, Johns Island, South Carolina Entered service: North Island, South Carolina Birth: South Santee, South Carolina, born into slavery
James H. Bronson Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company D, 5th U.S. Colored Infantry Date and place of action: 29 September 1864, Battle of Chaffin's Farm, Virginia Entered service: Trumbull County, Ohio Birth: 1838, Indiana County, Pennsylvania Death: March 16, 1884
William H. Brown Rank and organization: Landsman, U.S. Navy, USS Brooklyn Date and place of action: 5 August 1864, Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama Entered service: Maryland Birth: 1836, Baltimore, Maryland Death: November 5, 1896
Wilson Brown Rank and organization: Landsman, U.S. Navy, USS Hartford Date and place of action: 5 August 1864, Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama Entered service: Mississippi River, Mississippi Birth: 1841, Natchez, Mississippi Death: January 24, 1900
William Harvey Carney Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company C, 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Date and place of action: 18 July 1863, Battle of Fort Wagner, Morris Island, South Carolina Entered service: New Bedford, Massachusetts Birth: 29 February 1840, Norfolk, Virginia, born into slavery Death: December 9, 1908, New Bedford, Massachusetts
SERGEANT CARNEY'S FLAG The True Story of the First Black MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT LINK HERE Fort Wagner, South Carolina
July 18, 1863 Perhaps you've seen the movie "Glory"--an epic based on the true exploits of black soldiers during the Civil War. One of the most gripping portions is the assault on Fort Wagner in South Carolina. Just two weeks after General Grant's victory at Vicksburg a large Union force gathered outside the walled Confederate fort on the beach at Fort Wagner, an obstacle considered essential to Grant's plan to capture Charleston. From the bay six ironclad Union ships began the bombardment. Lying on the sandy beach within 1000 yards of the fort were members of the Union infantry including the 600 men of the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry. Behind them was the 6th Connecticut, but on this day it would be the black soldiers of the 54th who would lead the assault. The Civil War was almost two years old when President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. With that historic step, for the first time, black American's were encouraged to enlist in the Union Army. Among the enlistees was a young man named William Carney. Born on February 29, 1840 at Norfolk, Virginia, William Carney's mother was a slave to Major Carney. Prior to the Civil War there was no program for educating young black men in the South, but Carney was fortunate enough at the age of 14 to attend a secret school where he learned to read and write. Emancipated when Major Carney died, young William Carney had moved to Bedford, Massachusetts and began preparing for a future as a minister. When volunteers were requested to man the Union Army in 1862, and following President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, William Carney temporarily set aside his plans to enter the ministry. He later stated, "I felt I could best serve my God by serving my Country and my oppressed bothers." He became a member of, and trained with, the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry's C Company. Most of the soldiers in the unit were conscientious and focused on the task at hand. Union General Ullman later said of the men in the all-black units, "They are far more earnest than we...They know the deep stake they have in the issue."The assault on Fort Wagner would be the first real test of these young black, Union soldiers--everyone of them a volunteer. Though the 54th Massachusetts was Federalized, it was an entirely separate regiment. Despite Lincoln's Proclamation and widening acceptance of these "soldiers of color", some prejudices and preconceived notions still prevailed...even in the North. So it was that the brave but un-battle-tested young men of the 54th found themselves lying in the sand, waiting for the order to lead the advance on Fort Wagner. Among those brave soldiers was 23-year old Sergeant William Carney. As evening began to fall the order came. The brave young men jumped to their feet and charged at a run towards the enemy stronghold. The Confederate defenders were prepared for them and cannon fire and bullets flew through the air, devastating the advancing 54th. Heedless of the danger and often fighting hand to hand, the 54th continued the advance. Ahead of them Sergeant John Wall carried the colors, the red, white and blue of the United States of America. Suddenly a rifle bullet dropped Sergeant Wall and the flag began to fall to the ground. Sergeant William Carney threw his rifle aside and grasped the colors before they touched the ground. Another rifle slug sliced through the air, this one hitting Sergeant Carney in the leg. With soldiers falling all around him Carney mustered the strength to ignore the pain in his leg, hoist the colors high in the air, and continue to lead the advance. Somehow he gained the entrance to the fort and proudly planted his flag...but he was alone...everyone else either killed or wounded. The solitary figure and his flag pressed against the wall of the fort for half an hour as the battle raged on. Then an attack to the right of the fort's entrance drew the enemy's attention away from him. He noticed a group of soldiers advancing towards him and, mistaking them for friendly troops, hoisted his flag high. Again gunfire split the air as Carney realized all too late that they were Confederate soldiers. In that moment of danger Carney remembered the flag that represented all he held dear and was fighting to protect that day. Rather than dropping the flag and fleeing for his life, he wrapped the flag around the staff to protect it and ran down an embankment. Stumbling through a ditch, chest-deep in water, he held his flag high. Another bullet struck him in the chest, another in the right arm, then another in his right leg. Carney struggled on alone, determined not to let his flag fall to the enemy. From the safety of the distance to which they had retreated, what remained of the valiant warriors of the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry watched the brave Sergeant struggle towards safety. A retreating member of the 100th New York passed Carney and, seeing the severity of his wounds said, "Let me carry that flag for you."With indomitable courage Sergeant Carney replied, "No one but a member of the 54th should carry the colors." Despite the sounds of rifle and cannon fire that followed him, Carney struggled on. Another enemy bullet found its mark, grazing his head, but Carney wouldn't quit. Amid the cheers of his battered comrades Sergeant Carney finally reached safety. Before collapsing among them from his many wounds his only words were, "Boys, I only did my duty. The flag never touched the ground. Several months later Sergeant William Carney, propped up on a cane from the injuries to his right leg, posed for a picture holding the flag he had risked so much for that day at Fort Wagner. The following year he was discharged from the army for the disabilities of his wounds. William Carney never realized his dream of becoming a minister. Moving back to New Bedford he worked for several years as a mail carrier.After that he worked as a messenger in the Massachusetts State House.It was not unusual for acts of valor accomplished during the Civil War to go unrecognized for many years. More than half of the 1520 Medals of Honor awarded for heroism during that period were not awarded until 20 or more years after the war. On May 23, 1900 Sergeant William Harvey Carney was awarded his Nation's highest award, the Medal of Honor. Though by that time several other black Americans had already received the award for heroism during the Civil War and the Indian Campaigns, Sergeant Carney's action at Fort Wagner on July 18, 1863 was the first to merit the award.William Harvey Carney died at his home in New Bedford on December 9, 1908, and is buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery there. His final resting place bears a distinctive stone, one claimed by less than 3500 Americans. Engraved on the white marble is a gold image of the Medal of Honor, a tribute to a courageous soldier and the flag he loved so dearly. Decatur Dorsey Rank and organization: Corporal, Company B, 39th U.S. Colored Infantry Date and place of action: 30 July 1864, Battle of the Crater, Petersburg, Virginia Entered service: Baltimore, Maryland Birth: 1836, Howard County, Maryland Death: July 11, 1891, Hoboken, New Jersey
Christian Abraham Fleetwood Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company G, 4th U.S. Colored Infantry Date and place of action: 29 September 1864, Battle of Chaffin's Farm, Virginia Entered service: Baltimore, Maryland Birth: 21 July 1840, Baltimore, Maryland Death: September 28, 1914, Washington, D.C.
James Daniel Gardner Rank and organization: Private, Company I, 36th U.S. Colored Infantry Date and place of action: 29 September 1864, Battle of Chaffin's Farm, Virginia Entered service: Yorktown, Virginia Birth: 16 September 1839, Gloucester, Gloucester County, Virginia Death: September 29, 1905, Clark's Summit, Pennsylvania
James H. Harris Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company B, 38th U.S. Colored Infantry Date and place of action: 29 September 1864, Battle of Chaffin's Farm, Virginia Entered service: Great Mills, Saint Mary's County, Maryland Birth: 1828, Saint Mary's County, Maryland Death: January 28, 1898
Thomas R. Hawkins Rank and organization: Private, 6th U.S. Colored Infantry Date and place of action: July 21, 1864, Battle of Deep Bottom, Virginia Entered service: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Birth: 1840, Cincinnati, Ohio Death: February 28, 1870, Washington, D.C.
Alfred B. Hilton Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company H, 4th U.S. Colored Infantry Date and place of action: 29 September 1864, Battle of Chaffin's Farm, Virginia Entered service: Baltimore, Maryland Birth: 1842, Harford County, Maryland Death: October 21, 1864, Fortress Monroe, Virginia, died of wounds suffered in battle
Milton Murray Holland Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company C, 5th U.S. Colored Infantry Date and place of action: 29 September 1864, Battle of Chaffin's Farm, Virginia Entered service: Albany, Ohio Birth: 1 August 1844, Austin, Texas, born into slavery Death: May 15, 1910
Miles James Rank and organization: Corporal, Company B, 36th U.S. Colored Infantry Date and place of action: 29 September 1864, Battle of Chaffin's Farm, Virginia Entered service: Portsmouth, Virginia Birth: 1829, Princess Anne County, Virginia Death: August 28, 1871
Alexander Kelly Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company F, 6th U.S. Colored Infantry Date and place of action: 29 September 1864, Battle of Chaffin's Farm, Virginia Entered service: Allegheny, Pennsylvania Birth: 7 April 1840, Saltsburg, Pennsylvania Death: June 19, 1907
John Henry Lawson Rank and organization: Landsman, U.S. Navy, USS Hartford Date and place of action: 5 August 1864, Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama Entered service: Pennsylvania Birth: 16 June 1837, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Death: May 3, 1919, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
James Mifflin Rank and organization: Engineer's Cook, U.S. Navy, USS Brooklyn Date and place of action: 5 August 1864, Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama Entered service: Virginia Birth: 1839, Richmond, Virginia
Joachim Pease Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy, USS Kearsarge Date and place of action: 19 June 1864, off Cherbourg, France (sinking of the CSS Alabama) Entered service: New York City, New York Birth: 1842, Long Island, New York
Robert A. Pinn Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company I, 5th U.S. Colored Infantry Date and place of action: 29 September 1864, Battle of Chaffin's Farm, Virginia Entered service: Massillon, Ohio Birth: 1 March 1843, Stark County, Ohio Death: January 1, 1911, Massillon, Ohio
Edward Ratcliff Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company C, 38th U.S. Colored Infantry Date and place of action: 29 September 1864, Battle of Chaffin's Farm, Virginia Entered service: Yorktown, Virginia Birth: March 10, 1835, James City County, Virginia Death: March 10, 1915, Nelson, Virginia
Andrew Jackson Smith* Rank and organization: Corporal, Company B, 55th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Date and place of action: 30 November 1864, Battle of Honey Hill, South Carolina Entered service: Clinton, Illinois Birth: c. 3 September 1842, Grand Rivers, Kentucky, born into slavery
Charles Veale Rank and organization: Private, Company D, 4th U.S. Colored Infantry Date and place of action: 29 September 1864, Battle of Chaffin's Farm, Virginia Entered service: Baltimore, Maryland Birth: 1838, Portsmouth, Virginia Death: July 27 1872, Hampton, Virginia
African-American Officers of the Civil War
LINK HERE Martin Robinson Delany recruited black soldiers and served as a field commander in the American Civil War. He earned the rank of major--the highest rank of any black soldier during the war. Delany also attended Harvard Medical School, bought and sold real estate, and wrote several books. African-American Confederates
THE INDIAN CAMPAIGNS, 1866-1890 Eighteen African Americans earned the Medal of Honor during the Indian Wars of the Western United States.[1] Four were Black Seminoles serving as U.S. Army Indian Scouts, while the rest were Buffalo Soldiers. 9th Cavalry Regiment (United States) LINK HERE The 10th Cavalry Regiment LINK HERE 24th Infantry Regiment (United States) LINK HERE 25th Infantry Regiment (United States) LINK HERE Thomas Boyne Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company C, 9th Cavalry Regiment Date and place of action: 29 May 1879, Mimbres Mountains, New Mexico, and 27 September 1879, Cuchillo Negro River near Ojo Caliente, New Mexico Entered service: Norfolk, Virginia Birth: 1849, Prince George's County, Maryland Death: April 21, 1896, Washington, D.C.
Benjamin Brown Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company C, 24th Infantry Regiment Date and place of action: 11 May 1889, Arizona Entered service: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Birth: 1859, Spotsylvania County, Virginia Death: September 5, 1910, Washington, D.C.
John Denny Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company C, 9th Cavalry Regiment Date and place of action: 18 September 1879, Las Animas Canyon, New Mexico Entered service: Elmira, New York Birth: 1846, Big Flats, New York Death: November 28, 1901, Washington, D.C.
Clinton Greaves Rank and organization: Corporal, Company C, 9th Cavalry Regiment Date and place of action: 24 January 1877, Florida Mountains, Luna County, New Mexico Entered service: Baltimore, Maryland Birth: 12 August 1855, Madison County, Virginia Death: August 18, 1906, Columbus, Ohio
Henry Johnson Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company D, 9th Cavalry Regiment Date and place of action: 2 October-5 October 1879, Milk River, Colorado Entered service: Detroit, Michigan Birth: 11 June 1850, Boydton, Virginia Death: January 21, 1904, Washington, D.C.
George Jordan Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company K, 9th Cavalry Regiment Date and place of action: 14 May 1880 and 12 August 1881, Fort Tularosa and Carrizo Canyon, New Mexico Entered service: Nashville, Tennessee Birth: 1847, Williamson County, Tennessee
Isaiah Mays Rank and organization: Corporal, Company B, 24th Infantry Regiment Date and place of action: 11 May 1889, Cedar Springs, Arizona Territory Entered service: Columbus Barracks, Ohio Birth: 16 February 1858, Carter's Bridge, Virginia
William McBryar Rank and organization: Sergeant, 10th Cavalry Regiment Date and place of action: 7 March 1890, Arizona Territory Entered service: New York City, New York Birth: 14 February 1861, Elizabethtown, North Carolina
Isaac Payne Rank and organization: Trumpeter, Indian Scouts Date and place of action: 25 April 1875, Pecos River, Texas Entered service: Fort Duncan, Texas Birth: 1854, Mexico
Thomas Shaw Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company K, 9th Cavalry Regiment Date and place of action: 12 August 1881, Carrizo Canyon, New Mexico Entered service: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Birth: 1846, Covington, Kentucky
Emanuel Stance Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company F, 9th Cavalry Regiment Date and place of action: 20 May 1870, Kickapoo Springs, Texas Entered service: East Carroll Parish, Louisiana Birth: 1843, Carroll Parish, Louisiana
Augustus Walley Rank and organization: Private, Company I, 9th Cavalry Regiment Date and place of action: 16 August 1881, Cuchillo Negro Mountains, New Mexico Entered service: Baltimore, Maryland Birth: 10 March 1856, Reisterstown, Maryland
Moses Williams Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company I, 9th Cavalry Regiment Date and place of action: 16 August 1881, Cuchillo Negro Mountains, New Mexico Entered service: East Carroll Parish, Louisiana Birth: 1845, Carrollton, Louisiana
William Othello Wilson Rank and organization: Corporal, Company I, 9th Cavalry Regiment Date and place of action: 1890, Sioux Campaign Entered service: Saint Paul, Minnesota Birth: 1867, Hagerstown, Maryland
Brent Woods Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company B, 9th Cavalry Regiment Date and place of action: 19 August 1881, New Mexico Entered service: Louisville, Kentucky Birth: 1850, Pulaski County, Kentucky
Thirteen enlisted men and six officers from these four regiments earned the Medal of Honor during the Indian Wars.
Buffalo Soldier recipients of the Medal of Honor 9th Cavalry Regiment * Capt. Francis S. Dodge, Troop D, 1879; 2nd Lt. George R. Burnett, 1881; 2nd Lt. Matthais W. Day, Co. I, 1879; 2nd Lt. Robert T. Emmet, Co. G, 1879; 1st Sgt. Moses Williams, Co. I, 1881; Sgt. Thomas Boyne, Co. C, 1879; Sgt. John Denny, Co. B, 1879; Sgt. George Jordon, Co. K, 1880; Sgt. Henry Johnson, Co. D, 1890; Sgt. Thomas Shaw, Co. K, 1881; Sgt. Emanuel Stance, Co. F, 1870; Sgt. Brent Woods, Co. B, 1881; Corp. Clinton Greaves, Co. C, 1877; Corp. William O. Wilson, Co.I, 1890; Pvt. Augustus Walley, Co. I, 1881 10th Cavalry Regiment
* Capt. Louis H. Carpenter, Co. H, 1868; 2nd Lt. Powhaten H. Clarke, 1886; Sgt. William McBryar, Co. K, 1890 10th Cavalry, Cuban Campaign * Sgt. Major Edward L. Baker, Jr.; Pvt. Dennis Bell, Troop H; Pvt. Fitz Lee, Troop M LINK HERE significant records have surfaced showing Black soldiers and scouts playing valuable roles in the peacekeeping protective forces of the early WEST. One renowned Black group, called the BUFFALO SOLDIERS, supplied a protective force for the expanding WEST. They composed the 9th, 10th, 24th, and 25th CAVALRIES. The 9th and 10th Cavalries were former all black regiments in the Civil War. Among those who served were: John Hanks Alexander * Henry E. Baker * Thomas Boyne * Benjamin Brown * John Denny * Pompey Factor * Henry Ossian Flipper * Clinton Greaves * Henry Johnson * George Jordan * William McBryar * Isaiah Mays * Joseph E. Noil * Isaac Payne * John H. Paynter * William H. Penn * Thomas Shaw * John Webster Smith * Howard Snoden * Emanuel Staance * Jacob W. Steven * Charles Burrill Turner * Augustus Walley * John Ward * Johnson S. Whittaker * Moses Williams * William O. Wilson * Brent Woods
THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR, 1898 Frank Hamilton Newcomb Commodore, United States Revenue Cutter Service - United States Coast Guard LINK HERE 9th-10th U.S. Cavalry Reg.s 24th-25th U.S. Inf Reg.s At San Juan Hill alone, there were 21 who received citations for gallantry 13 received the Certificate of Merit and one Medal of Honor recipient 8 others the Silver Star in both Cuba and Phillipines War in the Philippines After the Phillippines became a U.S. possession, following the American defeat of Spain in 1898, Filipino nationalists began a campaign for independence against their former allies. Buffalo Soldiers were now called to action against Filipino forces during the bloody three-year war that ensued. In 1899, companies from all four African American regiments reported to the Presidio of San Francisco to embark for the Philippines. While in the Philippines Black troopers trekked over mountains and through jungles totrack and fight elusive nationalists, toguard communication lines and to escort supply trains
Military decorations In the United States, the Spanish-American War also saw its first resurgence since the Civil War and the conflict saw the first wide scale recognition of individual acts of bravery by soldiers, marines, and sailors alike.The United States awards and decorations of the Spanish-American War were as follows:
* Medal of Honor (Extreme Acts of Heroism or Bravery) * Specially Meritorious Service Medal (Navy and Marine Corps Meritorious Actions) * Spanish Campaign Medal (General Service) * West Indies Campaign Medal (West Indies Naval Service) * Sampson Medal (West Indies service under Admiral Sampson) * Dewey Medal (Battle of Manila Bay Service) * Spanish War Service Medal (U.S. Army Homeland Service) * Army of Puerto Rican Occupation Medal (Post-War Occupation Duty) * Army of Cuban Occupation Medal (Post-War Occupation Duty) The Spanish Campaign Medal was upgradeable to include the Silver Citation Star to recognize those U.S. Army members who had performed individual acts of heroism. The governments of Spain and Cuba also issued a wide variety of military awards to honor Spanish, Cuban, and Philippine soldiers who had served in the conflict. Six African Americans earned the Medal of Honor during the Spanish-American War: five Buffalo Soldiers of the 10th Cavalry Regiment and one United States Navy sailor.[1] Four of the five Buffalo Soldiers received the medal for rescuing a trapped landing party during the Battle of Tayacoba. Edward Lee Baker, Jr. Rank and organization: Sergeant Major, 10th Cavalry Regiment Date and place of action: 1 July 1898, Battle of San Juan Hill, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba Entered service: Cincinnati, Ohio Birth: 28 December 1865, Platte River, Wyoming
Dennis Bell Rank and organization: Private, Troop H, 10th Cavalry Regiment Date and place of action: 30 June 1898, Battle of Tayacoba, Cuba Entered service: Washington, D.C. Birth: 28 December 1866, Washington, D.C.
Fitz Lee Rank and organization: Private, Troop M, 10th Cavalry Regiment Date and place of action: 30 June 1898, Battle of Tayacoba, Cuba Entered service: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Birth: June 1866, Dinwiddie County, Virginia
Robert Penn Rank and organization: Fireman First Class, U.S. Navy, USS Iowa (BB-4) Date and place of action: 20 July 1898, off Santiago de Cuba, Cuba Entered service: Virginia Birth: 10 October 1872, City Point, Virginia
William H. Thompkins Rank and organization: Private, Troop G, 10th Cavalry Regiment Date and place of action: 30 June 1898, Battle of Tayacoba, Cuba Entered service: Paterson, New Jersey Birth: 3 October 1872, Paterson, New Jersey
George Henry Wanton Rank and organization: Private, Troop M, 10th Cavalry Regiment Date and place of action: 30 June 1898, Battle of Tayacoba, Cuba Entered service: Paterson, New Jersey Birth: 15 May 1868, Paterson, New Jersey
Congress also activated TEN REGIMENTS OF ALL BLACK TROOPS: the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 3rd Alabama, 3rd North Carolina, 23rd, 24th, and 25th. ONLY the 9th [ inf ], 10th [ cav ], 24th [ inf ], and 25th [ inf ] saw combat in this short-lived war. Several key battles included LAS GUAIMAS, EL CANEY, the Battles of SAN JUAN HILL, SANTIAGO, and KETTLE HILL Among those soldiers were:
George G. Anderson * William H. Anderson * Daniel Atkins * Edward L. Baker Jr. * Dennis Bell * George Berry * Horace W. Bivins * Lewis Broadus * Horace G. Burke * T. C. Butler * Pierre L. Carmouche * Jordan Chavis * Hilary W. Coston * James Elmer Dellinger * Franklin A. Denison * Lee Fritz * George W. Ford * William H. Franklin * James Gilliard * Captain Wilt Jackson * John A. Logan * John Roy Lynch * Lt. John S. Nelson * Robert Penn * Walter Pinchback * George W. Prioleau * William W. Purnell * Lt. Charles L. Reece * Lt. John W. Shreeves * Lt. Jacob C. Smith * Sgt. William Tompkins * William A. Vrooman * William C. Warmsley * Major William Wesley * Cpt. Horace Wheaton * Col. Charles A. Young In addition to the African Americans who served in Regular Amy units during the Spanish American War, five African American Volunteer Army units and seven African American National Guard units also served. Volunteer Army:
* 7th United States Volunteer Infantry (Colored Troops) * 8th United States Volunteer Infantry (Colored Troops) * 9th United States Volunteer
