"New Effort to Include More Black History" Topic

…In recent years, the National Park Service has broadened how it presents history in parks nationwide. In the Vicksburg military park, which is dotted with more than 1,400 monuments, markers and tablets and is one of the largest tourist attractions in Mississippi, drawing visitors from around the globe, the visitor center now includes information about Black history, and a monument to Black soldiers was dedicated 20 years ago…

Military: link

Recognition that is long past due.

I attend a Christmastime candlelight tour of Ft. Pulaski near Savannah nearly every year and last December they added a bit to represent the slaves who'd actually built the fort. There was fair amount of grumbling and irritation from those in attendance but you know, I really didn't mind it at all and felt that it indeed was a worthwhile addition.

Several years ago, I visited Ft. Larned in Kansas, and one of the park employees was a black man wearing an 1870s cavalry uniform appropriate to the 9th and 10th Cavalry. F.E. Warren AFB (it was an Army fort back in the Old West days) in Cheyenne was introducing information about the Buffalo Soldiers when I was there. Like 79thPA says, Recognition that is long past due.

Grelber

I was a proud member of both the 1/9 Cavalry and 3/10 Cavalry battalions or Squadrons as we called them. Their heritage is emblazoned on their unit badges. Each new member was given a booklet on the unit history.

However this is posted under ACW so I expected more on that era.
The one situation that I learned in college, 1970s, was the Black business man from the Nashville area who financed and field a complete six gun battery for the Tennessee CSA.

There were many instances where blacks supported the south willingly. Not all blacks were slaves- some were prosperous farmers and businessmen.

The myth that all were indentured and did not support the south needs to be acknowledged by all races in the USA. One just needs to do some research like searching southern states pension records. At that time, three white service members had to attest to firsthand knowledge that the black soldier supported the South before he could receive a pension. There are quite a few who received pensions into the 20th century. There are also a few books out on the subject-several written by respectable black historians- if you have enough desire to do some research on the subject.

Facts are out there for those who seek real history. Chips fall where they may, the black American soldier has done their part and shed their blood (just like many Europeans and Orientals) to make our country and keep it free for all. Anyone who denies this is just trying to divide us and takes advantage of those too disinterested to learn the facts for themselves. As Sgt. Fury would say, "'Nuff said".

Were there USCT at Vicksburg? If so, they should be there. If not, I don't think they should. Of course, they can be mentioned in the context of Miliken's Bend and building of the canal to bypass Vicksburg.

I am not sure about any USCT at Vicksburg. Though I know some were raised in Louisiana, they replace white regiments who went to Vicksburg area.

To my knowledge, no USCT fought at Vicksburg. Were any fighting for the Confederates there, as individuals? I don't know. That would be an odd perspective to talk about.

35th, based on the fact that there were All black and mixed-race companies in New Orleans area before the war, they had a superb record of capturing runaway slaves. I would not be surprised if any of these companies made it to Vicksburg but I am not sure.

Are we talking about the United States Colored Troops in the technical sense or are we talking about regiments of black troops serving in the U.S. Army? As I recall the U.S.C.T. was formed around June of 1863. There were black units serving in the U.S. Army before that. Banks had some Louisiana black units serving with him at Port Hudson, which of course meant they were not available for Vicksburg. Funny how most people forget Port Hudson.