According to the National Park Service’s Soldiers and Sailors System, there were twenty enlisted men named George Washington in the 5th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery. These all would have been black men, the vast majority, former slaves. The 5th U.S. … Continue reading →
Researching early regiments of the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) can sometimes be difficult. Unit names may have changed several times throughout their service. The earliest regiments, organized between the fall of 1862 and the creation of the Bureau of Colored … Continue reading →
It’s impossible to estimate the number of runaway slaves that set out for a new life of freedom in Northeastern Louisiana in 1863. At the start of the year, it was minimal, though still significant. With the coming of spring, … Continue reading →
Zelma Wyche was a black Army veteran of World War II. He joined the military in 1943. Four years later, back at home, he had to fight for the right to vote. That war lasted over 15 years. Like many … Continue reading →
There are a number of reasons why Milliken’s Bend should be remembered, but I’ll concentrate on what I believe to be the three most significant historical reasons. 1) Along with Port Hudson and Fort Wagner, Milliken’s Bend was a significant … Continue reading →