People, Locations, Episodes

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 104th U.S. Colored Troops Infantry Regiment is formed

*On this date in 1865, the 104th U.S. Colored Troops Infantry Regiment was formed. It was partially organized in Beaufort, South Carolina, by Orindatus Wall. The 104th had garrison and guard duty at various points in South Carolina till it was mustered out on February 5, 1866. To Have a Military Career

Edward Baker, Congressional Medal of Honoree born

Edward Lee Baker, Jr., an African American soldier, was born on this date in 1865.

Born in Platte River, WY, he enlisted in the Army in Cincinnati, OH, in 1882. Baker served with both the 9th and 10th U.S. Cavalry, attaining the rank of Sergeant Major in 1892. Baker saw combat in the Spanish-American War where he earned a Congressional Medal of Honor for braving heavy fire. He saved the life of a comrade during the assault on San Juan Hill on July 1, 1898, in Santiago, Cuba.

Robert Kerlin, Minister, and Soldier born

*Robert Kerlin was born on this date in 1866.  He was a white-American minister, author, soldier, and activist.  From Harrison County, MO., Robert Thomas Kerlin’s parents were from Kentucky and were owners of several small farms.  They raised and sold Berkshire Hog and Southdown Sheep.  Confederate properties were seized due to the American Civil War, […]

The ‘Buffalo Soldiers’ Military Units are Created

*On June 28, 1866, an Act of Congress authorized the creation of two cavalry and four infantry regiments, “which shall be composed of colored men.” They were organized as the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 38th through 41st Infantry.

The 9th and 10th Cavalry would go on to play a major role in the history of the West, as the “Buffalo Soldiers”

Walter Loving, Military Investigator, and Bandleader born

*Walter Loving was born on this date in 1872. He was an African American soldier and musician most noted for his leadership of the Philippine Constabulary Band.

Three Black Seminole Scouts Receive The Congressional Medal of Honor

*On this date, in 1875, three Black Seminoles received the Congressional Medal of Honor.   America’s highest military decoration was given to Isaac Payne, John Ward, and Pompey Factor for their actions during the Indian Wars. All three Black Seminoles were known as Seminole Negro Indian Scouts. Payne served as a trumpeter, Factor was a private, […]

William Hayward, Colonel, and Lawyer born

*William Hayward was born on this date in 1877 in Nebraska City, NE. He was a white-American lawyer and military Colonel.  He graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1894; Hayward had been a judge in Nebraska for two years when he entered politics in 1903. He served in public office for several years in […]

Benjamin O. Davis Sr., Military Officer born

This date marks the birth of Benjamin O. Davis Sr. in 1877. He was the first African American general in the modern era of the United States.

The Zulu-British War Begins

On this date in 1879 the Zulu-British War began.

The Zulu kingdom, centered on the southeast coast of southern Africa between the Drakensburg Mountains and the Indian Ocean, surfaced in the early 19th century under the command of the great Zulu warrior-king Shaka. The Zulu nation in the beginning had no problem with the British, who founded it as the colony Natal, on the southern border of Zululand in the 1840s. But the British eventually saw the Zulu as a threat.

The 231st Transportation Battalion is formed

*On this date in 1879, 231st Transportation Battalion was formed. The Armed Forces and National Guard 231st Transportation Battalion began as a Black independent militia company in Baltimore, Maryland. These city militia companies were patriotic social clubs that competed in military drills. At that time, all black military clubs comprised Black officers and enlisted men. […]

Dorsie Willis, Solider born

*Dorsie Willis was born on this date in 1886. He was an African American soldier, and activist.

Hugh Mulzac, Merchant Marine Captain born

*Hugh Mulzac was born on this date in 1886. He was an African American merchant marine Captain.

From Union Island, St. Vincent Island Group, British West Indies, Mulzac entered the Swansea Nautical College in South Wales to prepare for a seaman’s career while in his youth. He became an American citizen in 1918, and continued his instruction at the Shipping Board in New York. He earned his captain’s rating in the merchant marines that same year, but racism denied him the right to command a ship.

Charles Howard Sr., Soldier, and Attorney born

*The birth of Charles P. Howard Sr. in 1890 is celebrated on this date. He was an African American soldier, attorney, and columnist.

He was born in Des Moines and graduated from the Fort Des Moines officer-candidate school in 1917. One year later he was a second lieutenant and serving with the 92nd Division, 366th Infantry in France during World War I. After the military, Howard received his law degree from Drake University in 1920. He was a gifted lawyer who never lost a capital trial.

Carter Westley, Lawyer, Activist, and News Journalist born

*Carter Wesley was born on this date in 1892. He was a Black lawyer, newspaperman, and political activist. Carter Walker Wesley was born in Houston, Texas. He grew up in the city’s first and most successful Black neighborhood, Freedmen’s Town. Shortly after completing high school, Westley moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and graduated magna cum laude in […]