Good afternoon! 

It is a honor and pleasure to have been invited to participate today in this historic event. 

FIRST – I extend my appreciation and thanks to the Research History class of Washington High School for their dedication and extremely hard work in uncovering, documenting and honoring those whose history had been lost. 

And to Mr. Paul LaRue for his leadership and foresight. More on Mr. LaRue and the members of the class later. 

Your research and accomplishments motivated me to look into other aspects of this history which I will share with you today.

On this date,  May 22, 1863, 139 years ago Assistant Adjutant General E. D. Townsend, by order of the United States Secretary of War, issued GENERAL ORDERS No. 143,  that authorized the formation of the Bureau of United States Colored Troops. This order officially began the recognition of the black soldier in the U. S. Army. Men became part of the U. S. Colored Troops in three ways: redesignation of state volunteer regiments, redesignation of the Native Guards and Corps d’Afrique, organized in Louisiana and via the draft, enlistments, or as substitutes. 

This resulted in the organization of over 180,000 men in over 160 regiments that constituted 10 to 12 percent of the Union Army. The vast majority, approximately 135,000 to 140,000 came from the states that had seceded and the border states which were also slave states. Four states, Louisiana (24,000), Mississippi (18,000), Kentucky (23,000 and Tennessee (22,000), were credited with furnishing approximate 87,000 men. So as you can see the majority of these soldiers were ex-slaves. 

Subsequently, all regiments, USCC (Cavalry), USCI (Infantry), USCHA (Heavy Artillery) and USCLA (Light Artillery), were assigned numeric designations except the 54^th and 55^th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry  Regiments, the 5^th Massachusetts Colored Cavalry Regiment and the 29^th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Regiment.  

There were 449 engagements of which 39 were considered to have been major encounters with the enemy. 

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TIME WILL NOT PERMIT A MORE THOROUGH ANALYSIS AND REVIEW OF THOSE RESTING HERE AND THEIR UNITS.  

However, I will briefly share some interesting information with you today and mention a few names. 

The 39 veterans listed on your web site served in 17 different regiments that were organized in PENNSYLVANIA, OHIO, MARYLAND, VIRGINIA, KENTUCKY, TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI AND LOUISIANA. 

The men served and participated in combat activities from Virginia to Texas during and after the Civil War. 

Eight of the regiments was assigned to the Army of the James and participated in the Seize of Petersburg and Richmond, Virginia (5^th – 9^th – 23^rd – 27^th – 45^th – 109^th – 116^th – 117^th). 

Towards the end of the war, the regiments were assigned to the newly organized XXV U. S. Army Corps, the first and only Army Corps in the history of the country made up entirely of Colored infantry regiments. 

The 5^th, 9^th, and 45^th were three of thirteen USCT regiments in the Battle of New Market  Heights,  just outside of Richmond. Fourteen Medals of Honor were awarded, including one officer and four Sergeants with the 5^th USCI. 

NOTE: The Sergeants were Milton Holland, James Bronson (J. C. Anderson – Co. D), Powhatan Beaty (Nelson Spears – Co. G), and Robert Pinn (Clarence Powell – Co. I). 

Five regiments (45^th – 23^rd – 109^th – 116^th – 117^th) played a significant role in the pursuit of General Lee’s Army westward from Richmond and Petersburg and subsequent surrender at Appomattox.  

The 116^th was one of seventeen regiments deployed along an assault line west of Appomattox that moved eastward and prevented General Lee’s Army from escaping westward. The 45^th along with other regiments were assigned positions in the rear of this line.  

NOTE: John Taylor was in Company C of the 116^th and 8 others resting here were in the 45^th. 

The 5^th USCC participated in the southwest Virginia campaign – Saltville, twice, and Marion. After the war ended the regiment was deployed to Arkansas to chase and capture bushwhackers. 

NOTE: Samuel Evans was assigned to Company E of the 5^th USCC. 

The 16^th and 100^th participated in the Nashville, Tennessee campaign. 

Wilson Bunch served in the 100^th and Isaac J. Peterson was with the 16^th. 

The 5^th USCHA was involved in expeditions in and around Rodney, Fayette, Vicksburg and Yazoo City, Mississippi. The regiment is believed to have had the highest number of losses of any regiment in the Union Army – 4 officers and 124 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded, and 697 enlisted men died of disease for a total of 825. 

NOTE: It is believed Joseph Gales (Gailes) and John Hampton were recruited from the local area, traveled by boat down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Mississippi and Louisiana, and returned back home after the war. 

Also after the war ended 7 regiments were deployed to Texas due to unstable conditions that existed in Mexico that some thought would eventually spill over into Texas. The units were stationed at Indianola, Brownsville, Brazos Santiago, and on the Mexican Frontier along the Rio Grande river. 

ONE CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE GREAT EXPERIENCES AND STORIES THAT WERE SHARED BY THESE MEN WHEN THEY ATTENDED GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) MEETINGS here at Washington Courthouse or when reminiscing one on one or in groups from time to time. 

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IN CLOSING – The best of luck to the entire class as you move on to further studies and careers. I can envision great things from all of you because you volunteered to take on a difficult task and succeeded in uncovering missing links of our history. 

If I may quote Ashley Woods from a newspaper article when she said, “I think it would be too easy if we were doing Caucasian soldiers” “They’re so well documented and the USCTs aren’t”. In other words you all decided to take on a difficult task and succeeded. 

That statement by Ashley and what you accomplished say a lot about the type of students you are, your work ethics, character and determination, which will carry you to many other great accomplishments in the future. 

To Mr. LaRue, please continue to teach, direct and give guidance to your students in future research history classes. You are standing high on a pedestal all along. I am hoping you will be emulated so others will be able to join you at the top where I am sure it gets pretty lonely.  

THANK YOU – THANK YOU

RETURN TO DEDICATION - SECTION # 13, WASHINGTON CEMETERY

GO TO USCTs BURIED IN OHIO

GO TO FREEDOM FIGHTERS - UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS IN THE CIVIL WAR

Posted by: Bennie J. McRae, Jr. LWF Network Trotwood, Ohio