People, Locations, Episodes

John Archer, Black British Politician born

*John Archer was born on this date in 1863. He was a Black British lawyer, and politician.

The 55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment is Formed

*On this date in 1863, The 55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment was formed. This was the sister regiment of the Massachusetts 54th Volunteers during the latter half of the American Civil War. The Emancipation Proclamation, enacted by United States President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, opened the way for the enlistment of free men of color and newly liberated slaves to fight […]

William H. Hunt, Diplomat born

*On this date, in 1863, William Henry Hunt was born. He was a Black diplomat. He was born in Tennessee, a mulatto. His father, William B. Hunt, was a white enslaver who fathered many children with his female slaves. His mother, Sophia Hunt, one of his father’s slaves, had a white grandfather. Young Hunt had three […]

The 7th Louisiana Regiment Infantry is formed.

*The 7th Louisiana Regiment Infantry (African Descent) was formed on this date in 1863. This regiment was in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was first organized and was on duty in New Orleans, Louisiana, until August 6, 1863. In December 1863, it was organized in Memphis, Tennessee, Holly Springs, Mississippi, and […]

John Mitchell, Jr., Journalist born

John Mitchell Jr. was born on this date in 1863. He was an African American journalist, activist, and politician.

He was born in Richmond, VA, and as a child, he helped support his parents by selling newspapers. He graduated first in his class from Richmond Normal High School. He became the editor of The Richmond Planet, (later the Richmond Afro-American). Mitchell was a brilliant man of many talents. In 1890, he was elected to the Richmond City Council, but around the turn of the century, he became cynical of politics.

The Battle of Honey Springs Occurs

*The Battle of Honey Springs, also known as the Affair at Elk Creek, occurred on this date in 1863 during the American Civil War. This was a significant victory for Union forces in gaining control of the Indian Territory. It was the most crucial confrontation between Union and Confederate forces, eventually becoming Oklahoma. In the battle, […]

The First Black Man Receives The Congressional Medal of Honor

On this date in 1863, the first Black soldier received America’s Congressional Medal of Honor.

Sergeant William H. Carney was the recipient because of his bravery in action during the Civil War. Carney, a member of the 54th Massachusetts Colored infantry, was wounded twice during the charge on Fort Wagner, S.C., while rescuing the Union Flag.

After making it through the barrage of bullets and delivering the flag he shouted, “The Old Flag never touched the ground.”

President Lincoln Issues the ‘Eye-For-Eye’ Order

On this date in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued what was called an “eye-for-eye” order, warning the Confederacy that Union soldiers would shoot a rebel prisoner for every black prisoner shot. It also would condemn a rebel prisoner to a life of hard labor for every Black prisoner sold into slavery.

The order had a slight “restraining” influence on the Confederate government’s voiced policy, but individual commanders and soldiers continued to murder captured black soldiers.

The First Michigan Colored Regiment is Formed

*On this date in 1863, the First Michigan Colored Regiment was organized.

Raised at Camp Ward, these troops were paid no bounty, received ten dollars per month, one ration per day, and three dollars of monthly pay was deducted for clothing, and white officers commanded the troops. Under this order the Regiment known originally as the First Regiment of Colored Infantry, afterwards its designation changed to the 102nd. United States Colored Troops was commenced on August 12th 1863 with 895 men on its roll.

Scipio Jones, Lawyer, and Activist born

*The birth of Scipio Jones on August 28, 1863 is celebrated on this date. He was an African American attorney and activist at the end of the nineteenth century and during the first decades of the twentieth century.

The 14th United States Colored Heavy Artillery Regiment is Formed

*The 14th United States Colored Heavy Artillery Regiment was formed on this date in 1863. They were a Black artillery regiment that served in the Union Army through the U.S. Department of War’s Bureau of Colored Troops during the American Civil War. The 14th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery (Colored) was organized in Providence, Rhode Island, and mustered for […]

The 8th United States Colored Infantry is Formed

*On this date in 1863, the 8th United States Colored Infantry was formed.  This infantry regiment comprised Black enlisted men who served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was commanded by white officers and was authorized by the Bureau of Colored Troops. The 8th U.S. Colored Infantry was organized at Camp William […]

The 7th United States Colored Infantry is formed

*On this date, in 1863, the 7th United States Colored Infantry was formed. This an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was composed of African American enlisted men commanded by white officers. It was authorized by the Bureau of Colored Troops, which the United States War […]

Cornelius Fitzgerald, Lawyer, Community Activist born

Cornelius Fitzgerald, an African American lawyer, was born on this date in 1863.

Aaron Mossell II, Lawyer and Activist born

*Aaron Mossell II was born on this date in 1863. He was a Black lawyer and activist. Aaron Albert Mossell II was born in Hamilton, Ontario, and was the youngest of six children. His parents had moved with their first three children from Maryland to Hamilton in the 1850s to escape American racism. His father, […]