Black Civil War soldiers honored only in Pennsylvania

[struggle4progress]

... When the Civil War began in 1861, black men simply couldn’t serve in the U.S. Army. Abolitionists like Frederick Douglass called for the Army to recruit black soldiers, but federal officials at first refused, fearing a backlash in pro-slavery states.

But on Jan. 1, 1863, with the war dragging into its third year, Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation and declared all black residents of the Confederate states were free. His decision opened the door for African-American military recruitment – and in Altoona, black residents heeded the call.

“A very enthusiastic war meeting was held by the colored residents” of Altoona, according to an 1863 letter in a black church newspaper. “Some very able speeches were delivered; prominent among the most able speakers was Mr. Benjamin Johnson, one of our townsmen, who, it is said, made a very stirring speech on behalf of the union and the enlistment of colored soldiers” ...

Of all the Northern states, none contributed more men to the so-called U.S. Colored Troops than Pennsylvania, Gaston said. Blair County, which had hosted secret stops on the Underground Railroad before the war, proved a fertile recruiting ground ...

https://timesleader.com/wire/state-wire/509538/black-civil-war-soldiers-honored-only-in-pennsylvania

[DamnYankeeInHouston]

1. My great great grand father was a Yankee general from Massachusetts.

All his troops were of African descent and very motivated soldiers.