People, Locations, Episodes

The 9th United States Colored Infantry is Formed

*On this date in 1863, the 9th United States Colored Infantry was created. This infantry regiment served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was composed of Black enlisted men commanded by white officers and authorized by the Bureau of Colored Troops. The 9th U.S. Colored Infantry was organized at Camp Stanton in […]

The 62nd Regiment of U.S. Colored Troops Formed

*On December 7–14, 1863, the 62nd Regiment of U.S. Colored Troops was organized. They were a Black infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was re-designated from the First Missouri Regiment of Colored Infantry. The Regiment was organized at Benton Barracks in St. Louis, Missouri, December 7–14, 1863, attached to the District of St. Louis, Mo., to January 1864. The designation changed to […]

The 25th United States Colored Infantry is Formed

*On this date in 1864, The 25th United States Colored Infantry was formed. This infantry regiment served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was composed of African American enlisted men commanded by white officers and was authorized by the Bureau of Colored Troops. The 25th U.S. Colored Infantry was organized at […]

John H. Alexander born

*John Hanks Alexander was born on this date in 1864.  He was a 19th century African American military officer. Alexander was born in Helena, Arkansas, the fourth of seven children born to former slaves James Milo Alexander and Fannie Miller Alexander. James Alexander was a barber and dry goods salesman in Helena and acquired property there. He later became the first […]

Fort Pocahontas, a story

*On this date, in 1864, the construction of Fort Pocahontas began. This was an earthen fort on the north bank of the James River at Wilson’s Wharf in Charles City County, Virginia, which served as a Union supply depot during the American Civil War. The fort was constructed by Black soldiers of the United States Colored […]

James Coody Johnson, Black Creek Lawyer born

The birth of James Coody Johnson in 1864 is celebrated on this date. He was a Black Creek lawyer, politician, cowboy, and entrepreneur.

His father was Robert Johnson, an African Creek interpreter for the Seminole nation, and his mother was Elizabeth Davis (Johnson), daughter of Sarah Davis. Young Johnson was born at Fort Gibson, OK, where his mother had gone for protection as a refugee during the Civil War.

The American Congress Legislates Equal Pay To Black Soldiers

*On this date in 1864, Congress passed the enrollment Act that authorized equal pay for Black soldiers.

The 12th Regiment, Heavy Artillery U.S. Colored Troops is Formed

*The 12th Regiment Heavy Artillery U.S. Colored Troops was formed on this date in 1864. It was one of 175 regiments of African American men during the American Civil War. Kentucky was the last state to accept Black men into their army during the war. In February 1864, 400 men wanted to enlist, and Col. Andrew […]

Gaius C. Bolin, Lawyer and Judge born

*Gaius C. Bolin was born on this date in 1864. He was a Black lawyer and judge. He was a descendant of Blacks who had lived in or near the Hudson River town of Poughkeepsie, New York, for generations, first in slavery and then, after the adoption of gradual emancipation laws in 1799 and 1817, […]

The 18th United States Colored Infantry Regiment is Formed.

*The 18th United States Colored Infantry Regiment was formed on this date in 1864. They were a Black infantry regiment. The 18th was raised in Missouri and served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized in Missouri, unlike other Black regiments from the State, it was mustered directly into the U.S. rather than […]

The War Of The Triple Alliance Begins

*On this date, in 1864, the War of the Triple Alliance began. Also known as the Paraguayan War it was a South American war fought between Paraguay and the Triple Alliance of Argentina, the Empire of Brazil, and Uruguay. A conflict of race and class, it was the deadliest and bloodiest inter-state war in Latin America’s history. It […]

The 5th United States Colored Cavalry is Formed

*The 5th United States Colored Cavalry (5th USCC) was formed on this date in 1864. They were a regiment of the United States Colored Troops during the American Civil War. They were one of the more notable black fighting units. They were officially organized in Kentucky after their first two battles. Colonel James Brisbin commanded […]

The 41st United States Colored Infantry is Formed

*On this date, 1864, the 41st United States Colored Infantry was formed. This infantry regiment comprised Black enlisted men who served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Six companies were formed and ordered to join the Army of the James on October 13. White officers commanded the regiment, which the Bureau of Colored […]

Samuel G. Elbert, Doctor born

*On this date in 1865, Samuel G. Elbert, Sr., was born. He was a Black Doctor, Businessman, and Civic and Community Leader. He was born on a farm near Chestertown, Maryland. He received an early education in the primary schools of Chestertown and later entered the pre-medical program at Howard University in Washington, D.C. In 1891, he […]

The Joint Committee of Reconstruction Established

*On this date in 1865, The Joint Committee on Reconstruction was established.  Also known as the Joint Committee of Fifteen, this 39th United States Congress committee played a major role in Reconstruction after the American Civil War. It was created to “inquire into the condition of the States which formed the so-called Confederate States of America, and report whether they or any of […]