Over a thousand men served in the ranks of the 97th U.S. Colored Infantry from 1863-1866. This page highlights some of those men and is intended to be a representative example of the varied service records that may all be found at the National Archives.
Sergeant Moses Haines
Sergeant Moses Haines was part of the original muster of the First Louisiana Engineers at Camp Parapet, Carrollton, Louisiana in April of 1863. His service lasted through most of the regiment's history. He succumbed to small pox during the occupation of Mobile in March of 1866, just a few weeks before the regiment, as a whole, mustered out on April 1, 1866.
Sergeant Horace Greeley
This Horace Greeley was not the famous one in the history books. He was one of many formerly enslaved men who joined the regiment during the Red River Campaign at Grand Ecore, April 14, 1864. He was promoted to sergeant by September 1865, and was on detached service with the Freedmen's Bureau in Mobile, Alabama until he mustered out in the spring of 1866. Just like the more famous Horace Greeley, this man made a meaningful difference in changing American society.
Sergeant Joseph Dickerson
Sergeant Joseph Dickerson was born into slavery in Kentucky before being taken to Louisiana. He stood 5' 10" tall. He enrolled in Capt. Justin Hodge's First Louisiana Engineers April 10, 1863, and mustered into the regiment April 28th, 1863 at Camp Parapet, Carrollton, Louisiana. As a corporal in Company K, he was promoted to sergeant on August 6th when the company was split away with others to form the 3rd Regiment Engineers, Corps d'Afrique (97th USCT). He would participate at Port Hudson, the Red River Campaign, and the initial movements during the Mobile Campaign. He served as a carpenter with the regiment and in September of 1864, he is listed as a carpenter repairing Fort Gaines which had been captured by U.S. Forces under Gen. Granger. By March of 1865, Sergeant John Dickerson had developed chronic rheumatism while at Fort Barrancas, Florida, just south of Pensacola. His condition prevented him from service for the duration of his enlistment and he was discharged by disability on September 24, 1865.
Private Daniel Jackson
Forty year old Daniel Jackson, born in North Carolina, found himself drafted into the Union Army October 31, 1864 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was among the large group of drafted men from New Orleans that were shipped to Dauphine Island to join the regiment on September 8th. He would be assigned to company H and serve a little over three months of his enlistment before being killed December 17, 1864 at the Battle of Pine Barren (Escambia) Creek.
First Sergeant Oscar DeLaney
First Sergeant Oscar DeLaney was 42 years old when he transferred from Company G of the 88th USCT (formerly the 17th Regiment Corps d'Afrique, formed September of 1863 and broken up July 28, 1864). He was assigned to Company H in which Lieut. A. A. Fletcher was in command.
Sergeant Wesley Annals
Sergeant Wesley Annals, Company K, 97th USCT who was the color bearer from November 1865 to the last muster of the regiment in the spring of 1866. He originally mustered into the regiment on April 10, 1863 at Carrolton, Louisiana and was a corporal from May, 1863 through the end of October when he was promoted to sergeant September 1, 1864.
Sergeant John Dague
Sgt. John Dague served as the Color Bearer during February and March of 1866. He was with the Color Guard from Nov '65. He mustered May 20, 1863 and served with Company A of the First Louisiana Engineers before the split of the regiment.
Sergeant James Calvin
James Calvin is an example of one of the men that mustered into the First Louisiana Engineers in April, 1863 at Camp Parapet contraband camp and was immediately given the rank of corporal. When the regiment was divided, creating the 3rd Regiment Engineers, Corps d'Afrique (97th USCT) with Special Order 218 HQ Department of the Gulf, Sept. 2, 1863, he was instantly promoted to sergeant. He would retain that rank until he mustered out with the rest of the regiment on April, 6, 1866 at Mobile, Alabama.
Recruit August Antoine
Recruit August Antoine was placed on the 97th USCTs rolls effective April 7, 1865 at Stark's Landing by transfer from the 1st Regiment U.S. Colored Infantry but apparently never actually fell in with the other men of the regiment. He is listed as both a recruit and as private but muster sheets show him absent in the hospital at new Orleans until his death of "chronic diarrhea" on April 26th, 1865, less than a month later. What makes his case so interesting is that he was placed, not in the regimental hospital or the U.S.A. Corps d'Afrique Hospital, but at the Touro Infirmary in New Orleans. The Touro Infirmary was a Jewish hospital built in 1852. Patient log books from 1852-1860 show that 45% of the patients in the hospital prior to the Civil War were enslaved persons.
Private Calvin Adams
On June 1, 1863, Calvin Adams "joined for duty and enrolled" in the 1st Regiment Louisiana Engineers before Port Hudson by Lieut. J. Gilbert Hill. Other paperwork shows his muster in date as April 28th, 1863 at Carrolton. He was 22 years old and stood 5' 7" tall. Along with the rest of the men in Company I, he was redesignated as the 3rd Regiment Engineers, Corps d'Afrique (97th USCT). He took part in all of the actions and campaigns of the 97th USCT except for the advances toward Mobile, Alabama, as he was sick in the hospital during the months of March thru June, 1865. He returned to the regiment in July 1865.
Corporal Harry Aiken
Harry Aiken was one of the original men who mustered into the 1st Louisiana Engineers on April 28, 1863 at Camp Parapet, Carrolton, Louisiana. He stood 5'5" and was 21 years old. Beginning his service as a private, he would gain the rank of corporal from March of 1864 through September of 1865. He will take part in every campaign from the Siege of Port Hudson, Red River Campaign, Capture of Fort Gaines, Battle of Pine Barren (Escambia) Creek, Advances on Mobile, and Occupation of Mobile, Alabama. He was also assigned to drilling new recruits that joined the Regiment during the Red River Campaign in May of 1863. He will get small pox in his last month of service with the 97th USCT and be placed in the hospital in Mobile where he passed away on May 6, 1866. Documents state that he is buried at the New City Graveyard.
Private Moses Aaron
Private Moses Aaron was born in Richmond, Virginia and was drafted into the 97th U.S.C.T. on August 31st, 1864 at New Orleans, Louisiana. Papers show that he stood 5' 7" tall, but his enlistment and discharge papers show the same man as both 38 when he enlisted and 24 when he died. He joined the regiment during the Mobile Campaign and was mortally wounded at the Battle of Pine Barren (Escambia) Creek on December 17th, 1864. He was taken back to Barrancas, FL where he died of his wounds on December 20. He is buried at Fort Barrancas Cemetery. He was never paid during his time in the army.
Corporal Felix Constance
One man with many names: Felix Constance aka Coster, Curtis, and Carter. Was 40 years old when he was drafted into the 97th U.S.C.T. at New Orleans, Louisiana on August 31, 1864. He joined company A while they were on Dauphine Island, Alabama at Fort Gaines. He was listed as a laborer and would rise to the rank of corporal before being mustered out with the rest of the regiment on April 6, 1866 in Mobile, Alabama. He apparently returned to the New Orleans area after the war. He applied for a pension and received it after proving he was who he said he was with so many different names. He passed away at the age of 79 on December 19, 1903 and is buried at the Chalmette National Cemetery.
Private Samuel Kelly
Private Samuel Kelly was one of the men from the Camp Parapet Contraband Camp engineer laborers mustered in as the 1st Louisiana Engineers at Carrolton, Louisiana, April 10, 1863 by Captains William Melvin and Justin Hodge. He was 42 years old and stood 5' 7" tall. He will be present at the Siege of Port Hudson when the regiment's designation is changed to the 1st Regiment Engineers, Corps d' Afrique. His company, D, will then be reassigned at part of the 3rd Regiment Engineers, Corps d'Afrique in September. He will then find himself in the Corps d'Afrique U.S.A. General Hospital in New Orleans for about a year, diagnosed with rheumatism. He will then be temporarily transferred to the 1st Company Invalid Battalion, U.S.C.T. then, back to the hospital in New Orleans. Eventually, he will be mustered out of the regiment (now designated as the 97th U.S.C.T.) at Dauphin Island, Alabama on a disability discharged on September 27th, 1864 by Lt. Col. George Harmount.
Private Samuel Rees
Private Samuel Rees, age unknown, joined and enrolled July 1, 1863 in the 1st Regiment Engineers, Corps d'Afrique who were before Port Hudson but officially mustered in Aug. 31 at Algiers. When the regiment was split in two to create the 3rd Regiment Engineers, Corps d'Afrique, men of Company D were reassigned as part of that new designation. He would serve through the remainder of his enlistment and be mustered out in April, 1866 at Mobile, Alabama. In March of 1863, during the Red River Campaign he was promoted to Sergeant but would revert back to the rank of private on September 17, 1864.
Private Nathaniel Harmon
Private Nathaniel Harmon volunteered for service October 22, 1863 at Opelousas, Louisiana. He joined the 3rd Regiment Engineers, Corps d'Afrique (97th USCT) Company E, under command of Captain J. N. Chamberlin. He stood 5' - 9 1/2" tall and was 28 years old. Records show that he was on detached service with the QM department from time-to-time. During the month of August, 1864, he was listed as sick and in the Corps d'Afrique U.S.A. General Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. In May of 1865, during the turmoil in occupied Mobile, Alabama, he was in confinement awaiting a court martial after being falsely accused of a rape. The Tri Monthly Report of Prisoners for the Provost Marshal of the Engineer Brigade shows only one person; Nathaniel Harmon, 97th US Colored Infantry, Company E, placed into confinement by Brig. Gen J. Bailey awaiting a court martial on the charge of committing a rape. He was under guard with his regiment. He was found not guilty after a prolonged wait for trial, his records show that he was in confinement from March/April, 1865 to November/December 1865. He was back on duty with the regiment by January 1866. He mustered out with the rest of the men in the regiment on April 6, 1866 at Mobile, Alabama.
Private Alfred Hammond
Private Alfred Hammond was born in Richmond, Virginia, was 5' 7" and joined the regiment in the field at New Iberia December 12, 1863 and officially enlisted January 27, 1864 at Berwick City, Louisiana at the age of 26. was one of several men on detached service with the Freedmen's Bureau office in Mobile Alabama by Special Order 71 after the war ended. He would have began his work with the Freedmen's Bureau under George Harmount (formerly Lt. Col. 97th USCT) and then continued his work under Col. George D. Robinson, 97th USCT.
Private Seymour Hasty
Private Seymour Hasty, born in Mobile, Alabama, enlisted with the 97th US Colored Infantry on May 1st, 1865 just days after the regiment entered the city as an occupation force. He was 36 years old and quite tall for the time standing at 6 foot 1 inch tall. His enlistment was for three years, but his time of service was very brief. He died within a few weeks of disease at the General Hospital in Mobile, Alabama on June 7th, 1865. He had no effects in his possession. Pension records show that he was married to Salina Hasty and that she received a pension.
Corporal Thomas Blue
Corporal Thomas Blue was one of the original men who mustered with the 1st Louisiana Engineers at Camp Parapet, Carrolton, La in April, 1863. he would be under arrest and reduced in rank to Private May 22, 1864. He will stay with Company A throughout the Civil War. By September 1865, Private Blue will be on detached service with the Freedmen's Bureau per special order 36, District of Mobile. He will on duty with the Regimental Quartermaster from January 1866 and then the Post Quartermaster until mustered out in March 1866.
Private Stephen Cuyuc
Private Stephen Cuyuc (other alterative spellings exist) is an example of another formerly enslaved person who joined the regiment at Blakeley, Alabama April 16, 1865. His birthplace is recorded as being Gatesville, North Carolina. He may have had great intentions of a military career but his age (40) and preexisting heart condition led to a Certificate of Disability and he was discharged a short time later on July 8, 1865. He had been unfit for duty for 60 days within the last two months and spent time at the Corps De Afrique U.S. General Hospital in New Orleans, La. He had been enlisted by Lieutenant Evans and had been assigned to Lieutenant Manchester in command of Company G.
Corporal Joseph Williams
Corporal Joseph Williams began his enlistment with the 17th Corps d'Afrique Infantry at Port Hudson on September 24, 1863. Listed as a laborer he was 22 and stood 5' 5" tall. The regiment performed garrison duty there and at Baton Rouge and was then designated as the 88th US Colored Infantry. He was transferred to the 97th US Colored Infantry on August 5, 1864 as a member of Company A. He was killed in action upon the return from the expedition to Pollard, Alabama at Pine Barren (Escambia) Creek, December 17th 1864.
Private John Brown
This John Brown (not to be confused with the famous one in the history books) mustered into the 97th US Colored Infantry at the end of August 1864 in New Orleans, La. He was 25 years old, stood 5' 4 3/4" and was born in North Carolina. Listed as a laborer. He is an example of a DRAFTED man into the U.S.C.T. and was assigned to the regiment. A year later, Private John Brown would be on detached service with the Freedman's Bureau in Mobile, Alabama. By January he was with the Quartermaster's Department in Mobile until he was mustered out with the rest of the regiment in the Spring of 1866.
Private James Armstrong
Private James Armstrong (AKA James Antoine) began his service in the USCT in Company K, 1st Regiment Engineers, Corps d'Afrique on detached service in the Quartermasters Department. By the time the company was assigned as 3rd Regiment Engineers, CdA, he was on duty in the Hospital Department as a Teamster. By August, 1864, he was listed as being on extra duty as an Ambulance driver. As his Army career continued to develop he had become a Hospital Attendant by December 1864. He spent, what looks like a couple of months, listed as "sick" before resuming his duties as a Hospital Attendant by October 1865. By January 1866 he was a Nurse in the 97th US Colored Infantry's Regimental Hospital.
Private John Andrews
Private John Andrews enlisted with the 1st Regiment Engineers, Corps d'Afrique at the age of 25 in Carrollton, Louisiana on April 10, 1863 for a period of 3 years. His company was transferred in September to create the 3rd Regiment Engineers, Cd'A but John Andrews spent the remainder of his enlistment as an oarsman for General Granger's Headquarters. He remained a boatman with Gen. Granger until February 20, 1865 when he drowned in Mobile Bay off the coast of Navy Cove.
Private Charles Ogees
20 year old Private Charles Ogees enlisted into the 1st Regiment Engineers, Corps d'Afrique on April 10, 1863 and was enrolled into Company I on April 28. He marched with the regiment to the Siege of Port Hudson. Company I took part with the storming party on May 27, 1863 with the 3rd Division of the XIX Corps commanded by Brig. Gen. S. A. Sherman. A portion of the company was engaged in the assault on June 14th under Gen. Dwight, commanding the 2nd Division. The Regiment was split into two parts to form the 3rd Regiment Engineers, Corps d'Afrique and his name transferred over to rolls of the future 97th US Col Inf. Private Ogees died of disease before the surrender of Port Hudson, passing away of disease at the Regimental Hospital on the casualty report of June 18th, 1863.
Private Edmund Jones
Private Edmund Jones, also of Company E, 97th U.S. Colored Infantry under the command of Capt. John N. Chamberlain, was wounded in action on this day, December 17, 1864 after engaging the enemy on the return from the Pollard, Alabama expedition.
Private Moses Major
Pvt. Moses Major from Company E, 97th US Colored Infantry under the command of Capt. John N. Chamberlain. Moses Major was killed in action at Pine Barren Creek on the return from the Pollard, Alabama expedition December 17, 1864.
Private Washington Barker
Pvt. Washington Barker followed the 97th USCT on the expedition on the Bayou Teche in the Fall of 1863 in an effort to find the mustering officer and enlist. Finding the recruiting officer, Captain John N. Chamberlain, he joined Company F of the 3rd Regiment Engineers, Corps d' Afrique (97th USCT) on October 12, 1863 at St. Martin Parish (New Iberia), Louisiana. He was 18 years old and stood 5 foot 4. Pvt. Washington was born in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana and was listed as a laborer. He was wounded in action near Pollard, Alabama December 16th, 1864. and lost his arm by amputation. He recovered in at the Post Hospital in Barrancas and later at Fort Gaines, and then finally at New Orleans. He was discharged by disability March 17, 1865.
Private Sambo Iron
Pvt. Sambo Iron, Company M, 1st Louisiana Engineers. He served as a cook of Company C with the 97th US Colored Infantry and continued to do that for the remainder of his 3 year enlistment.
Quartermaster Sergeant Sandy Bell
Quartermaster Sergeant Sandy Bell enlisted into the 1st Louisiana Engineers and was born in 1819, he is listed as a carpenter being from Maryland. He was a 2nd Srgt of Company D, 3rd Regiment Corps d'Afrique and by July, 1863 he was on detached service as the HQ Engineer Brigade Quartermaster. Sgt Sandy Bell was on duty as a carpenter. He spent April and May of 1864 on special duty recruiting. On detached service with Brigade HQ July and August. In September as a carpenter repairing Fort Gaines. December 1864 and January 1865, in charge of Engineer property and tools. By February 1865 Sgt Sandy Bell was was on duty as a carpenter at the regiment HQs. March and April 1865 on duty as the regimental quartermaster. In May, extra duty in charge of Engineer property. June 1865, promoted to QM Sgt at Mobile, Alabama.
As the regiment mustered out of service April 6, 1866, QM Srgt Sandy Bell was ill with spinal meningitis. He died just two days later, April 8 and was buried in plot 191 at New City Graveyard on the 9th of April. He was 47 years old.
As the regiment mustered out of service April 6, 1866, QM Srgt Sandy Bell was ill with spinal meningitis. He died just two days later, April 8 and was buried in plot 191 at New City Graveyard on the 9th of April. He was 47 years old.
Private John Varrisey
Pvt. John Varrisey of Company G enlisted at Carrollton, Louisiana April 10, 1863. He was born in Louisiana listed his age as 35. He stood 5 foot 8 inches and was a laborer by occupation listed. It was noted by Captain Arnout Cannon that he "has been unfit to perform the active duties of a soldier" and "is generally the first to give out on a long march." His physical troubles were mentioned to be specifically his right knee and was "unable to do the duties of a soldier and in my opinion 50 years of age. This was an improper enlistment." He served on a daily duty as a cook. He was approved of discharged at Navy Cove (Pilot Town), Alabama by C.B. White, Surgeon, Medical Director, 3rd Div., XIII Army Corps, March 4, 1865, Fort Gains, Alabama.
Private Jackson Franklin Fisher
Jackson Franklin Fisher was born February 16, 1847 as a slave of Colonel Franklin L. Owens, cashier of the Mobile Southern Bank, Mobile, Alabama. He enlisted May 1, 1865 after the fall of Spanish Fort, Fort Blakeley and Mobile, Alabama as private Jerry Jackson. He may have been conscripted as an "able bodied man", as he was not entitled to a bounty. HIs enlistment papers show he was mustered into service via 1st Lt J Baker of the 23rd Wisconsin Infantry assigned to the XIII Army Corps; "Recruited from depot" and assigned to the 97th USCI. He was 18 years old and stood 5 foot 8 1/2 inches tall and was listed as a laborer by occupation. He spent time at Fort Gaines and then he returned to Mobile. He was mustered out with the regiment April 6, 1866 at Carrollton, Alabama. On June 11, 1870, he married Ann Bean in Martin's Station, Alabama. They had no children. She died September 1, 1910. He lived several more years and passed away March 18, 1940 at the age of 93 in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Private William Hill
Private William Hill was 5 foot 5 inches and 35 years old when he joined Company F of the 97th U.S.C.I. as the war was coming to a close. He was born in Sampson, Alabama and by April 20th of 1865 he was in Mobile, Alabama where he mustered in for a three year commitment. He was referred to as an "Alabama Recruit" on his paperwork, listed as a "laborer" and was promised a $300.00 bounty. He apparently went to Fort Gaines for a while then back to Mobile. When the regiment was mustered out a few months later (April 6, 1866), Private William Hill owed the US $.08 and the US still owed him $200.00 still unpaid from the bounty.
Private Lewis Hooper
Private Lewis Hooper, Company K, mustered into service April 10 1863 at Carrollton, Louisiana for three years, he was promoted to Corporal in March of 1864. Unfortunately something happened with him and the loss of 20 canteens (camp equipage on some cards) in early September, as he was reduced in rank back to private and owed the US government $.45 for each canteen lost. Did he drop them into the ocean or river? Did he leave them behind on a march? How did the 20 men react to Lewis Hooper when they were told they had no canteens because of him? Pvt Lewis Hooper was also absent from furlough for 20 days and owed the government $3.30 for his transportation from New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama. I guess he was late and missed the regiments official transportation. He was mustered out in April of 1866.
Private Willis Hope
Private Willis Hope was not in the regiment for very long. A transfer from the 1st U.S. Colored Infantry (according to service records) into the regiment occurred in April of 1865 at New Orleans, LA. He is on record of receiving a bounty of $100.00. $33.33 had been paid with the remainder still due. He was sent to Fort Gaines, Starks Warf, and then to Mobile, Alabama. Discharged November 15, 1865 end of terms of service. Three years prior would place his enlistment in November of 1862.
Corporal Michael Hines
Corporal Michael Hines of Company B, was a transfer from the 88th USCI (17th Infantry Corps d'Afrique) by S.O. 209. He served in Captain Thomas Manchester's company. He joined the 97th when he was 21 years old and his occupation is listed as a laborer. He was 5'5" and enlisted August 22, 1863 at Baton Rouge Louisiana and mustered in at Port Hudson. He spent February through April of 1864 on detached service as a teamster for the Corps Headquarters. He was promoted to the rank of corporal in November of 1865. Died of disease (inflammation of the bowels) at Mobile, Alabama February 12, 1866.
First Sergeant Lewis Anderson
First Sergeant Lewis Anderson of Company A, was 33 years old when he enlisted in the 1st Louisiana Engineers. Listed as carpenter. Killed in action December 17, 1864 at Pine Barren (Escambia) Creek. He is buried at Barrancas National Cemetery near Fort Pickens, Florida.
Private Allen Nayder
Allen Nayder was a laborer in New Orleans when he was conscripted into service on August 31, 1864. He was 20 years old, born in Bayou St. Mary's Parish, Louisiana, and stood 5' 7" tall. He was shipped to Dauphine Island, Alabama with a large number of newly conscripted soldiers. He was assigned to Company I of the 97th U.S. Colored Infantry, part of the Engineer Brigade with the Department of the Gulf. At the time, Colonel Robinson of the same regiment was in command of the post at Fort Gaines. Private Allen Nayden received $21.41 worth of clothing when entered the service and received, sometime before December, $34.24 in pay.
The regiment was soon transferred with its commander, now temporarily in command of the post, to Barrancas, Florida at the entrance of Pensacola Bay. He assisted in raising the height of the defenses and general improvements to the fortifications there. As winter approached, Private Nayder marched north with the 97th, 82nd, and 86th USCIs as part of the First Brigade under command of Lt. Col. Yarrington (86th USCI). With them were approximately 50 wagons, presumably the 97th USCI's pontoon train. The infantry force was accompanied by the 2nd Maine and 1st Florida Cavalries and Company M of the 14th NY Cavalry on the expedition to destroy the rail lines in and around Pollard, Alabama. After destroying the track, rolling stock, stores, supplies, and buildings in the town of Pollard, the expedition began a series of battles and skirmishes as they returned back to Barrancas. Crossing the damaged bridge over the Little Escambia in the dark early morning of December 17, 1864, Private Allen Nayder was mortally wounded in the exchange of gunfire as the 97th U.S. Colored Infantry charged across the bridge. Wounded, he fought to hold on to his life as the rest of the men in the expedition fought a bloody and intensive struggle down the roads and river crossings southward. Only a few hours away from Barrancas, young private Allen Nayder succumbed to his wounds and died December 19th. He is buried at the Barrancas cemetery, with honors.
The regiment was soon transferred with its commander, now temporarily in command of the post, to Barrancas, Florida at the entrance of Pensacola Bay. He assisted in raising the height of the defenses and general improvements to the fortifications there. As winter approached, Private Nayder marched north with the 97th, 82nd, and 86th USCIs as part of the First Brigade under command of Lt. Col. Yarrington (86th USCI). With them were approximately 50 wagons, presumably the 97th USCI's pontoon train. The infantry force was accompanied by the 2nd Maine and 1st Florida Cavalries and Company M of the 14th NY Cavalry on the expedition to destroy the rail lines in and around Pollard, Alabama. After destroying the track, rolling stock, stores, supplies, and buildings in the town of Pollard, the expedition began a series of battles and skirmishes as they returned back to Barrancas. Crossing the damaged bridge over the Little Escambia in the dark early morning of December 17, 1864, Private Allen Nayder was mortally wounded in the exchange of gunfire as the 97th U.S. Colored Infantry charged across the bridge. Wounded, he fought to hold on to his life as the rest of the men in the expedition fought a bloody and intensive struggle down the roads and river crossings southward. Only a few hours away from Barrancas, young private Allen Nayder succumbed to his wounds and died December 19th. He is buried at the Barrancas cemetery, with honors.
First Sergeant/Corporal Robert CoxOn August 15, 1864, Robert Cox, 97th U.S. Colored Infantry, wrote the commander of the XIX Corps, General Banks, referring to him as "someone who is a friend to colored soldiers" and asked to be released from confinement after being wrongfully imprisoned, and demoted, for the charge of "disobeying orders" and disrespecting an officer. From reading the letter to Gen. Banks he was apparently in charge of the regiment's train and was given specific orders from one officer and then reprimanded for not following the orders of a lower ranked officer while on a road. He mentions that he had been with the regiment since the beginning and was with the regiment up through the Red River Campaign to Pleasant Hill and its return back. There is also mention of a wife, children and a mother which he has not seen in quite a long time. Lt. Col. Harmount, 97th USCT, has a letter in this collection of documents as well. In his letter, Robert Cox is released from confinement due to the lack of evidence and what appears to be the result of Cox's letter to the general. Additional service records show the rate of pay difference owed to him. Upon his release, he returned to the regiment and was placed as a corporal.
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Private Henry WrightHenry Wright was born a slave in Culpepper, Virginia and was later taken to Southern Louisiana. According to pension records, Henry married another slave named Emily Hill "with consent of the owner in the fall of 1844." Several years later, in 1851, the marriage was provided by Reverend William Johnson, "a white preacher of this state in St. Mary." Other testimony states the name and denomination "Rev. Johnson of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1851." They did not have any children during their marriage.
As the U.S. Forces advanced overland from New Orleans to Brashear, Henry and Emily Wright would have been among the hundreds of enslaved people that fled their owners seeking freedom behind federal lines. Henry eventually found himself in New Orleans, Louisiana. Henry was drafted into the army on August 31, 1864 and was assigned to Company I of the 97th U.S. Colored Infantry by S.O. 43. His papers show him to be 40 years old and standing 5' 7 1/2" tall. The regiment, at that time, had already shipped out as part of the Federal land forces participating in the Mobile Campaign. He arrived, with many other newly conscripted men on Dauphine Island and joined his company at Fort Gaines. At Dauphine Island, and later at Barrancas, Florida, Henry participated in continual labor performing engineer duties and military drill. Henry would participate in the raid on Pollard, Alabama that resulted in several casualties during the prolonged battle down Escambia Creek, He would also participate in the arduous task of building Starks Landing for the sieges of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley that would result in the capitulation of Mobile, Alabama in the spring of 1865. While in Mobile, Alabama, private Henry Wright contracted small pox and was listed as sick since December 28, 1865." On January 12, 1866, he died at the General Hospital in Mobile and was buried the same day. His death records show him to be 46 at his time of death. His wife, Emily applied for a pension soon thereafter and was awarded $8.00 per month commencing January 1866. |