President’s Message

May 13, 2008

 

United States Colored Troops Living History Association 

 

Membership

 

Perseverance, patience, and visionary sight are attributes which continue to sustain the members of the Board of Directors of the USCTLHA.  We labor with our mission in mind as we continue to work to build this organization into an entity which promotes pride in our heritage while honoring the memory and actions of our ancestors.
 

As an organization we are a body composed of individuals with multiple

talents which offer this organization unlimited possibilities in the areas of historical research, preservation, and education.  We are historians, reenactors, living history presenters, genealogist, families and friends who are bonded and driven by the desire to know more about ourselves.  Our success is assured because we have all the components necessary to accurately research the story, write the story and portray the story to the masses.  Oh, how much I do enjoy watching the face of a child or adult light up when I talk about run away slaves coming to Murfreesboro, Tennessee to join the 13th United States Colored Troops and their bravery and heroic efforts during the Battle of Nashville.

 

In the remaining body of this president’s message, I will attempt to share some of the activities of our membership with you, and I invite you to get actively involved, by sending me information on activities in your area or your personal activities which promote the mission of this organization.  In the future our new website will give you, the reporter, the opportunity to highlight current activities and historical information important to the history of the USCT legacy. 

Please help our organization to advance our mission by allowing us to bring attention to events in your area which help to educate others regarding our rich history. It is also important to keep in mind that the activities of other organizations have the potential of sharing valuable information and research regarding our history as we seek to bring unknown facts to light. 

 

Website Update

 

As you are probably aware our website has been down for the last couple of weeks.  Technical problems and limitations to our ability to display future activities of our organization have necessitated that we take this action at this time to prepare for coming exciting activities.  Bennie McRae has assembled a team of experts and has promised to deliver a product which will serve us well into the future as we grow.  I am told that the site will have some unique features which are designed to make the site dynamic and engaging enough to keep one returning to the site frequently in anticipation of new information.  Additionally, we will have the capacity to generate a digital newsletter for our membership.

 

Historical and Genealogy Committee (Ad Hoc Committee)

 

Recently it was brought to the attention of some of our members, that the

remains of Pvt. Thomas Smith of the 125th  USCT were illegally exhumed from a grave site in New Mexico.  The remains have apparently been stored in a warehouse in New Mexico for some time now.  Research has indicated that Pvt. Smith was born in Kentucky where he enlisted with his unit which was later sent to New Mexico.  Robert Bell, vice-president of USCTLHA, has expressed the desire to have Pvt. Smith re-interred at Camp Nelson in his home state.  Bennie McRae has contacted the U.S. Park Service and has learned that it is possible to return Pvt. Smith back to his home state.  Currently some of our members are trying to identify descendants of Pvt. Smith.

 

 What an awesome honor and exciting possibility if we are able to bring Pvt. Smith home.  It is indeed gratifying for me to think that this can be accomplished though the activities of our membership. What opportunities here to honor our past, educate others, unite the remains of Pvt. Smith with his family and place this organization in the national spotlight.

The Pvt. Thomas Smith story emphasizes the need for us to learn more about the lives of the 180,000 plus soldiers and 20,000 plus sailors who represent the legacy of the USCT.  These early freedom fighters had lives after the Civil War and many subsequent assumed positions of leadership in the civilian world.  Our history will further be illuminated by learning more about the personal lives of these individuals.  Believe me, those who seek to preserve the memory of the Southern cause know and frequently discuss individuals who played minor roles in the history of the Confederate military efforts.  In my capacity as president of the Middle Tennessee Civil War Round Table, I am constantly bombarded with information and made aware of books that have been written about individuals who had insignificant national roles in the Confederate efforts but are illuminated largely in smaller geographic locations in the South.  Attention to the presence of USCT in local communities before, during and after the war, present possibilities for mass public support for this organization.

 

Reenactments and Living History Presentations

 

The reenacting season is well under way as Olustee in February signaled the

starting period for many reenacting units to take to the outdoors.  Several of these events can be found on the announcement page on the site generated by Bennie McRae. As an organization we must do a better job of promoting and supporting these community based events as they offer excellent opportunities to educate the public and honor our past.  Additionally, we need to develop services which assure that this organization has perceived value to the members of reenacting groups and living history presenters.  The potential for the Historical Research and Genealogy Committee to validate the accuracy of our reenactments and presentations is great.  We must remain ever on guard that our presentations are historically accurate. 

It is most important that the USCTLHA have an impeccable reputation when it comes to accurate historical information.  We owe no less to the memory of those we wish to honor.

 

Presentation at Andersonville Civil War Prison Site

 

Recently the USCTLHA was asked to become a partner in a movement to place a historical maker or plaque at Andersonville to honor the United States Colored Troops who where imprisoned there or died at Andersonville.  Knowledge of the barbaric treatment that rebel soldiers inflicted upon captured USCT and the official policy of the Confederate States of America,

Has led some of us to question the numbers of USCT who may have been imprisoned at Anderson.  Currently, research is underway to justify the role

Of the USCTLHA in this noble effort to honor all POW at Andersonville.  I

Was recently made aware that a POW museum can be found at Andersonville.  As an organization we must remain on guard that we not compromise our mission by supporting any agenda which does not bring honor to our history.

 

Special Recognition

 

Hats off to the efforts of Mr. Dexter Akinsheye and his work with the

Marie Reed Civil War Cadet Academy.  The cadets presented themselves

Well during our activities in Wilmington, North Carolina earlier this year.

We must all make every effort to engage our youth in our mission.

 

I must also acknowledge the efforts of the 5th USCT in their efforts to

Include youth in military and civilian presentations.

 

In closing, may God grant you peace and love,
 

Your obedient servant

George Smith

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