African American Soldiers in the Union Army

Reminiscences of My Life in Camp, by Susie King Taylor, 1902.

“I taught a great many of the comrades in Company E to read and write, when they were off duty. Nearly all were anxious to learn. I was very happy to know my efforts were successful in camp, and also felt grateful for the appreciation of my services. I gave my services willingly for four years and three months without receiving a dollar. I was glad, however, to be allowed to go with the regiment, to care for the sick and afflicted comrades.”

Susie King Taylor. Reminiscences of My Life in Camp with the 33d United States Colored Troops: Late 1st S.C. Volunteers. Boston: Published by the author, 1902.

Sergeant, Union Army, circa 1860s

Colored tintype of an African American soldier, circa 1860s. In the Picture File, 1600- 1979.

The Escaped Slave

"The Escaped Slave" and "The Escaped Slave in the Union Army," a before-and-after featured in Harper's Weekly, July 2, 1864.

Colored Troops, under General Wild, Liberating Slaves in North Carolina, 1864

Image from Harper's Weekly, January 23, 1864.

Descriptive List and Account for Spencer Taylor, U.S.C.T.

Volunteer Descriptive List and Account of Pay and Clothing for Private Spencer Taylor, Co. E 38th U.S. Colored Troops. Sept. 22, 1864.

The Black Phalanx, 1888

Cover of The Black Phalanx: a history of the negro soldiers of the United States in the wars of 1775-1812, 1861-'65, by Joseph T. Wilson. Published 1888.