Tag Archives: African American regiments

29 May 1864: “One colored regiment at each place to hold against great odds these important positions, which the army is fortifying.”

Item description: Sent from Acting Rear-Admiral Samuel Phillips Lee to Gideon Welles, who was U. S. Secretary of Navy, this telegram discusses military movements in the Fort Powhatan and Wilson’s Wharf region of Virginia, especially that of African American Union … Continue reading

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25 December 1863: “the Boys have good time to day as it is Christmas I can not enjoy it myself…”

Item description: Letter, dated 25 December 1863, from Dexter S. Cowles to his “Dear Brother,” describing fighting conditions and weather near Vicksburg, Miss. He also discusses his difficulty communicating with family members, and notes the presence of African American regiments … Continue reading

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1 June 1863: “instead of belonging to Massa John Brown, they now belong to Massa Uncle Sam”

Item: news article, New York Herald, 1 June 1863, page 5, column 1. Transcription: NEWS FROM NORTH CAROLINA. Progress of the Negro Enlistments. Important Order on the Subject from Major General Foster, &c., &c., &c. Correspondence of Mr. Samuel R. … Continue reading

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11 November 1862: “He said that those negroe regiments the Yankees have are more trouble than use to them, they have to watch them closely to prevent their running back to their masters.”

Item description: Entry, 11 November 1862, from the diary of Sarah Lois Wadley. The entry includes a brief mention of black Union soldiers that were stationed in New Orleans in the fall of 1862. More about Sarah Lois Wadley: Sarah Lois … Continue reading

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