People, Locations, Episodes

The 2nd United States Colored Cavalry Regiment is formed.

*The 2nd United States Colored Cavalry Regiment was organized on this date in 1863. They were a Black military unit that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The 2nd Colored Cavalry Regiment was organized at Fort Monroe, Virginia. Fort Monroe was a critical Union stronghold on the Virginia coast that became […]

The 28th Indiana Colored Regiment is Formed

*On this date in 1863, the 28th Regiment, United States Colored Troops, was formed. Also called the 28th Regiment, Indiana Infantry (Colored) was a Black combat unit from Indiana that fought in the American Civil War.   The United States Department of War authorized Indiana to raise one regiment of infantry composed of Blacks on November 30, 1863. On December 3, the state’s […]

The 5th Regiment Massachusetts Colored Volunteer Cavalry is Formed.

*On this date in 1864, the 5th Regiment Massachusetts Colored Volunteer Cavalry was formed. This cavalry regiment from Massachusetts served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was organized at Camp Meigs, Readville. From May 12, 1864, it served dismounted and equipped as infantry until the war’s end. The regiment fought […]

The 26th United States Colored Infantry is Formed

*The 26th United States Colored Infantry was created on this date in 1864. Also called the 26th New York Infantry, it was a Black infantry regiment, one of three colored troop units from the state of New York, that fought in the American Civil War. The Union League Club of New York organized the unit on […]

The 29th Connecticut Colored Infantry Regiment is Formed

*The 29th Connecticut Colored Infantry Regiment was organized on this date in 1864.  This infantry regiment served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The 29th Connecticut Colored Infantry Regiment was organized at Fair Haven, Connecticut, and mustered under the command of Colonel William B. Wooster. Over 1,200 volunteers were recruited, exceeding the […]

Charles Young, Military Officer born

*Charles Young was born on this date in 1864. He was a Black soldier, musician, and writer.

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 […]

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 its army during the war. In February 1864, 400 men expressed interest in enlisting, and Col. […]

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”

The 24th Infantry Regiment Is Organized

*On this date in 1866, the 24th Infantry Regiment (one of the Buffalo Soldier regiments) was organized.   The United States Congress reorganized the regular army into five artillery, ten cavalry, and forty-five infantry regiments. Six regiments were reserved for black enlisted personnel in partial recognition of the role black soldiers played during the Civil War.   All the enlisted […]

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.