As I reflect back on the past months
in the USCT community, I realize
just how blessed we are to have the
opportunity to pursue our passion
for our history and to present the
legacy of a people who certainly
knew the wonders of God. It was this
belief in a higher power which
sustained them over the years of
bondage which they freely
acknowledged so well in the
spirituals of the day. We pray that
as we embark upon the next four
years of this nation's celebration
of the beginning of the Civil War,
that we will continue to keep our
focus far beyond the next four
years; because, we have obligated
ourselves to celebrate more. The
arrival in the bowels of slaves
ships, the triumph over hate and
bigotry, the quest for freedom, and
the strength to rise up and take
what God decreed for all created by
him is our story.
I am elated to share the
exciting news that the board of
directors of the USCTLHA has voted
to establish another membership
category in the Association. A
lifetime membership category now
exist which can be funded at a one
time cost of $500.00. What is even
more exciting is that 5 members of
the Association have stated their
desire to become lifetime members.
This action with our tax exempt
status makes a bold statement that
this organization is totally
committed to our mission to protect,
promote and preserve the history of
the USCT and their supporters;
before, during, and after the
American Civil War. The spirit of
those we honor still lives within
us.
The 2011 USCTLHA calendar is ready
for distribution at a cost of $15.00
each, plus $1.50 for shipping and
handling. This publication is the
only document of its kind in America
with the number of pictures and
information about the USCT
reenacting community. We sometimes
fail to realize that our numbers are
few with regard to the tremendous
history we have to share with
others. It is a sobering thought to
me to realize that the individuals
in our small regiment may be the
only people in our state who care
about the history of the 13th
USCI in Tennessee. This means that
we as Americans of African descent
have a great responsibility when we
put on the uniform of the union
soldier in Tennessee.
As you begin to plan for the coming
year may I encourage you to share
your schedules with Bro. Malcolm
Beech, vice-president of the
Association. We would like to
develop a comprehensive listing of
all USCT related programs in the
nation to share with all interested
parties. In sharing this information
we can support each other to make a
stronger impression before the
general public.
It is becoming abundantly clear that
money will not be falling from the
sky to help defer expenses for
conducting USCT programs within the
next 2 to 4 years. In Tennessee, the
legislative body finds itself
strapped for money and has not
allocated significant funds for the
sesquicentennial celebration in
Tennessee. I suspect that the same
economic conditions exist within
your states. This having been
acknowledged, we must press forward
with the task at hand and rely upon
the strength and determination
within each of us to proclaim the
pride, sacrifice, honor and the
quest to be free exhibited by those
we honor. In the words of my
grand-mother; "the Lord will make a
way somehow".
Peace and Joy to All.
Your Obedient Servant,
George W. Smith
President and Proud Member
USCTLHA
Look for the Silver Lining
By
John R. Gourdin
It's long been said that every
cloud has a silver lining, and
this is just another example of the
validity of that aged-old metaphor.
As the sesquicentennial
celebration draws near, political
leaders and historical organizations
in southern states are making
preparation to celebrate an
abhorrent event in South Carolina's
history. On December 20, 1860, South
Carolina became the first state to
secede from the Union and incited
the 'War to Sustain the
Institution of Slavery',
however, as fate would have it,
South Carolina was the site of the
first two Medals of Honor ("MoH")
earned by Black servicemen in
American history and the last MoH
earned by a Black serviceman during
the Civil War.
On July 18, 1863, William
Harvey Carney, a sergeant with the
54th Massachusetts Volunteer
Infantry Regiment, performed beyond
the call of duty during the Assault
on Battery Wagner near Charleston.
When the Color Sergeant was fatally
wounded by enemy fire, Carney
grasped the flag, led the charge and
planted the colors on the parapet;
then as the troops fell back he
retrieved the flag, under a fierce
fire in which he was twice severely
wounded. For courageous and valor
Blake was awarded the MoH on May 23,
1900;
On December 25, 1863,
Robert Blake, a contraband sailor
was serving as a steward onboard the
steam gunboat U.S.S. Marblehead near
Stono River. During an engagement
with a Confederate force on John's
Island, Blake spontaneously joined
the gun crew when the power boy was
killed and carried out his duties
bravely throughout the engagement
resulting the enemy's abandonment of
positions, leaving a caisson and one
gun behind. For his heroic deed,
Blake was awarded the MoH on April
16, 1864; and,
On November 30, 1864, Andrew
Jackson Smith, a corporal (later
sergeant) with the 55th
Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
Regiment distinguished himself by
saving his regimental colors after
the color bearer was killed during a
bloody charge on Honey Hill - near
Beaufort, and was posthumously
awarded the MoH by President Clinton
on January 16, 2001. Smith was cited
for conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty.
From slavery to honor - there
are many silver linings in the
clouds of the Civil War.
2011 Calendar Info
The new USCTLHA 2011 Calendar are
available now. Please send your
orders to Robert Bell at 1509 Alpha
Avenue, Louisville, KY 40223
(payable to USCTLHA) or Malcolm
Beech, PO Box 6002, Washington, DC
20039 (payable to Eagle News)
2011 Calendar
. The cost is $15 per calendar plus
$1.50 for shipping and handling
Thanks,
Pat Tyson
patriciatysnnn@aol.com
Upcoming Events
March 11 - 13, 2011, Seventh Annual
US Colored Troops Symposium,
"Civil War To Civil Rights,"
Kinston, NC. Contact Malcolm Beech
at 301-220-0918 or beecheagle@gmail.com,
www.uscoloredtroops.org
$5,000 Grant to Black Heritage
Society, 37th USCT
The Black Heritage Society Inc. of
Kinston has been awarded a $5,000
grant for two major programs
dedicated to preserving the history
of black troops who fought during
the Civil War.
The grant was awarded this month to
the Black Heritage Society by the
N.C. Humanities Council.
The Humanities Council is a
nonprofit affiliate of the National
Endowment for the Humanities. The
council has set aside $48,774 this
year for eight cultural projects
around North Carolina, including in
Kinston.
"The Humanities Council serves as an
advocate for lifelong learning and
thoughtful dialogue about all facets
of human life," council officials
said in a statement. "It facilitates
the exploration and celebration of
the many voices and stories of North
Carolina's cultures and heritage."
Malcolm Beech, executive director of
the Black Heritage Society and the
Cultural Heritage Museum in Kinston
- the BHS operates the museum - said
the money will arrive in January. He
said the grant will be split to
cover two projects. The first will
be a year-long effort to conduct
research on the burial sites of U.S.
Colored Troops around North
Carolina.
"We know there were over 5,000 North
Carolinians that served with the
U.S. Colored Troops," Beech said.
"After the war was over, many of
them did come back; many of them
didn't." The research will be
conducted in conjunction with Dr.
Rhonda Jones, a history professor
and several student interns at N.C.
Central University in Durham.
Major burial sites have been located
in the Wilmington, Raleigh, New Bern
areas, plus Roanoke Island; Beech is
hoping to study those sites further,
along with any other site that can
be found in North Carolina. "We're
asking the public - if those people
know of sites - to let us know," he
said.
The other half of the money will be
used to support the Black Heritage
Society's annual U.S. Colored Troops
Symposium, which will take place in
Kinston during March 11-13, 2011.
The funds will cover the expenses of
speakers at the various symposium
events that weekend, and those of
re-enactors who will give living
history presentations in the garb of
U.S. Colored Troops.
Presenters are scheduled to speak at
schools around the county, take part
in events and presentations at the
Kinston-Lenoir County Visitors and
Information Center, the Hampton Inn,
the CSS Neuse State Historic Site
and other locations around Kinston.
All events will be free and open to
the public.
Beech said the symposium is being
put on in cooperation with the
Kinston-Lenoir County Tourism
Development Authority, the CSS Neuse
II Foundation, the CSS Neuse State
Historic Site and the Historical
Preservation Group.
"It's all of us are working together
to have a blue-gray Civil War
weekend in Kinston," he said.
- For more information on the Black
Heritage Society Inc., visit
uscoloredtroops.org or
culturalheritagemuseum.org
- For more information on the N.C.
Humanities Council, visit
nchumanities.org
Grand Review
Imagine that it's November1865. More
than 180,000 African Americans -
some free and some slaves - donned
Union blues and fought valiantly in
the Civil War - quite literally for
their freedom. But these men, the
United States Colored Troops, were
not permitted to participate in the
Grand Review of the Armies, a
military procession and celebration
held in Washington, D.C., following
the end of the Civil War. This was
an injustice the people of
Harrisburg could not endure. So in
November 1865, sons, brothers,
fathers and husbands from 50 states
were invited to convene in our
capital city for a Grand Review
of the United States Colored Troops.
The descendants of these African
American patriots convened in
Harrisburg again this November, 2010
to revive that historic gathering as
the first of many commemorations
inaugurating Civil War 150. November
4-7 was a weekend of celebration,
heritage and living history.
Congratulations to Joe Becton and
the entire PA Committee, those in
attendance appreciated your efforts
and hospitality.
Harrisburg,PA
Please respond at your earliest
convenience with your comments.
Sincerely,
Malcolm Beech
Vice President
USCTLHA
beecheagle@gmail.com
