People, Locations, Episodes

The American Civil War Begins

On this date in 1861, the Civil War began. This war is also referred to as “The War Between the States”, “The War of Rebellion”, or “The War for Southern Independence.”

The American Civil War, a Summary

The American Civil War, waged from 1861 to 1865, is remembered on this date.

Before and during the Civil War, the North and South differed greatly on economic issues. The war was about slavery, but primarily about its economic consequences. The northern elite wanted economic expansion that would change the southern (slave-holding) way of life.

The southern states saw Abraham Lincoln and the Republicans making enormous changes to their way of life using free slave labor. Southerners believed that Abraham Lincoln, if elected, would restrict their rights to own slaves.

The First American Civil War Battle Occurs

The first encounter of the Civil War happened on this date in 1861 at the Fairfax Court House in Arlington Mills, Virginia.

The result was that all mail delivery between the US and the Confederacy stopped. The following year, 1862, on the same date, slavery was abolished in all United States possessions.

The United States Colored Troops (USCT) Begin Formation

*The United States Colored Troops (USCT) began formation on this date in 1862. These were regiments in the United States Army composed primarily of Black (colored) soldiers, although members of other minority groups also served within the units. They were first recruited during the American Civil War. Many USCT soldiers fought with distinction, with 16 receiving […]

The 79th Colored Infantry is Formed in Kansas

*On this date in 1862, the 1st Kansas Volunteer Colored Infantry was formed. This was the first official regiment of Blacks serving in the American Army.

Captain James M. Williams, Co. F, 5th Kansas Cavalry, was appointed for that portion of the state of Kansas. The area where Kansas Volunteer Colored Infantry was organized was north of the Kansas River. Captain Williams enlisted Captain H.C. Seaman, other 2nd Lieutenant recruiting officers and obtained supplies from departments near Leavenworth.

The XIX Army Corps is Formed

*On this date, in 1862, the XIX Army Corps was formed. They were a segregated regiment of the Union Army during the American Civil War.  The XIX Corps spent most of its service in Louisiana and the Gulf, though several units fought in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. It was assigned to Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, the […]

The First South Carolina Volunteer Colored Infantry is Formed

*On this date in 1863, the 1st South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment (Colored) was formed. General Rufus Saxton formed This Union Army regiment during the American Civil War. It was composed of escaped slaves from South Carolina and Florida. It was one of the first black regiments in the Union Army. Department of the South staff officer James D. Fessenden was heavily involved in efforts […]

The Corps d’Afrique is formed

*On May 1, 1863, the Corps d’Afrique was mustered into service. This Black Corps served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The Corps d’Afrique was formed from the four infantry regiments of the Louisiana Native Guard raised by Major General Benjamin F. Butler and the five colored infantry regiments raised by Brigadier […]

The 54th Union Massachusetts Infantry is Formed

*This date celebrates the creation of the all-Black Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry in 1863.

Robert Gould Shaw, twenty-six year old member of a prominent Boston abolitionist family, organized the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry in March of that year at Camp Meigs, Readville, and Massachusetts. Shaw had earlier served in the Seventh New York National Guard and the Second Massachusetts Infantry, and was appointed colonel of the Fifty-fourth in February of that year by Massachusetts’s governor John A. Andrew.

The First Colored Troop Units Established by The United States War Department

On this date in 1863 in North Carolina, the United States Department of War established the Bureau of Colored Troops, to help the Union Army fight the Civil War.

Regiments of colored troops from all states of the nation were reorganized into what became known as the United States Colored Troops (USCT).

Blacks have a rich history in United States military, and this was one of the first authorized attempts by the Federal government to enlist former slaves in the defense of the Union. The policy was innovative, new, and controversial with varying degrees of success.

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 […]

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 […]

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 leading to the establishment of […]

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.”

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.