Civil War African American Military Service Roll of Honor Volumes Recording the Sacrifice of United States Colored Troops 1866-67

U S. Colored Troops

Ephemera and pamphlets

[US Colored Troops] [Civil War] Roll of Honor government publications issued by the United States Quartermaster General’s Office between 1866 and 1867 record the names and burial locations of Union soldiers who died in service during the American Civil War. These volumes document the sacrifice of both white and African American soldiers, including members of the United States Colored Troops whose service played a critical role in Union military operations during the final years of the war.

Two original 1866-67 printed Rolls of Honor listing the names of soldiers who died in "Defence of the American Union" evidence of African American military sacrifice during the Civil War, illustrating both the geographical distribution of Black Union soldiers and their contributions to the Union cause . These Union soldiers were interred in various cemeteries across the United States.

Roll of Honor "No. VI". Names of Soldiers Who Died in Defence of the American Union, Interred in the Eastern District of Texas; Central District of Texas; Rigo Grande District, Department of Texas; Camp Ford, Tyler, Texas; and Corpus Christi, Texas. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1866. 35 pages. [2] Roll of Honor No. "XII". Names of Soldiers Who Died in Defence of the American Union, Interred in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Arkansas, Texas, Utah Territory, and on the Pacific Coast. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1867. 173 pages. These official government publications, issued by the Quartermaster General's Office, document both white and "colored" soldiers who perished in the Civil War. The documents cover burials in states including Texas, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, the Utah Territory, and on the Pacific Coast.

Texas recorded the highest number of burials for both Black and white soldiers, particularly in Galveston, Corpus Christi, Indianola, Brownsville, and Tyler. Pennsylvania and Virginia also had significant numbers of interments. The records distinguish between white and Black soldiers, noting their ranks, regiments, and places of burial. Notably, it records the sacrifice of several African American soldiers who attained non-commissioned officer ranks, including Sergeant Aaron Hendon of the 115th U.S.C.T. (died Aug. 31, 1865, in Texas), Sergeant Henry F.P. of the 24th U.S.C.T. (died Sept. 1, 1865, in Virginia), Sergeant Charles McFarren of the 115th U.S.C.T. (died Aug. 15, 1865, in Texas), Sergeant Moses Zane of the 118th U.S.C.T. (died Aug. 12, 1865, in Texas), and Sergeant Thomas Wilkinson of the 19th U.S.C.T. (died Aug. 17, 1865, in Texas). Other high-ranking Black soldiers include Drum Corps member George Basset of the 122nd U.S.C.T. and Corporal Wm. Temple of the 45th U.S.C.T., both of whom died in Texas. These entries underscore the leadership roles that African American soldiers held within their units despite the racial discrimination prevalent at the time. These fallen were largely members of the U.S.C.T., an essential force in Union operations, particularly in the South and along frontier outposts.
The rolls further document the widespread presence of United States Colored Troops regiments, with numerous privates buried across different states. The 115th, 116th, 122nd, and 19th U.S.C.T. are heavily represented, particularly in Texas cemeteries such as those in Galveston, Corpus Christi, and Indianola. In Pennsylvania, privates from the 24th, 25th, 29th, and 31st U.S.C.T. are recorded, reflecting the state’s significant contribution to African American military service. In New Jersey, Alexander Calamine of the 39th U.S.C.T. is listed with a death date of April 24, 1865. Iowa records include Perry Jackson of the 60th Iowa regiment, who died on November 1, 1865. These documents stand as critical records of African American military sacrifice during the Civil War, illustrating both the geographical distribution of Black Union soldiers and their contributions to the Union cause. Their inclusion in the Roll of Honor reflects the broader historical struggle for recognition and equality faced by Black soldiers, many of whom were formerly enslaved and fought for the very freedom they had been denied. These original 19th-century government-printed rolls are in just fair condition, with cracked spines, chipping pages, and a loose binding. A significant and scarce primary source documenting the service and sacrifice of Black Civil War soldiers.

Item #21551

Price: $1,200.00