Chestertown in Kent County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
White & Black, Blue & Gray
Social Battlefield Split Kent Families
Photographed By William Pfingsten, October 18, 2007
1. White & Black Blue & Gray Marker
Inscription.
White and Black, Blue and Gray. Social Battlefield Split Kent Families. In June 1917, Judge James A. Pearce commemorated the Civil War soldiers of Kent County by erecting a monument to honor the patriotism and valor of a once divided, but now reunited country. The rough-cut and polished granite monument behind you displays the names of soldiers representing the United States on one side and the Confederacy on the other. Looking closely, you will see some of the same family names on both sides, brother against brother, father against son. Pearce said that the purpose of the monument was “to pay just tribute to men whose convictions of right and duty in a great crises of our country’s history led them to devote their lives, their fortune and their sacred honor to the cause each believed to be just and righteous.” , Pearce omitted African American soldiers, reflecting the prejudice of his day. More than 400 black Kent County residents, both slave and freemen, fought in the war, and slaves received their freedom if they agreed to serve. Most joined the United States Colored Troops, all-black Federal Army regiments commanded by white officers. Some served in the more unsegregated Federal Navy. County residents, both black and white, later rectified Pearce’s omission by erecting a granite obelisk honoring the black soldiers. A dedication ceremony, led by members of the Parker White American Legion Post 143, was held on Memorial Day 1999.
In June 1917, Judge James A. Pearce commemorated the Civil War soldiers of Kent County by erecting a monument to honor the patriotism and valor of a once divided, but now reunited country. The rough-cut and polished granite monument behind you displays the names of soldiers representing the United States on one side and the Confederacy on the other. Looking closely, you will see some of the same family names on both sides—brother against brother, father against son. Pearce said that the purpose of the monument was “to pay just tribute to men whose convictions of right and duty in a great crises of our country’s history led them to devote their lives, their fortune and their sacred honor to the cause each believed to be just and righteous.”
Pearce omitted African American soldiers, reflecting the prejudice of his day. More than 400 black Kent County residents, both slave and freemen, fought in the war, and slaves received their freedom if they agreed to serve. Most joined the United States Colored Troops, all-black Federal Army regiments commanded by white officers. Some served in the more unsegregated Federal Navy. County residents, both black and white, later rectified Pearce’s omission by erecting a granite obelisk honoring the black soldiers. A dedication ceremony, led by members of the Parker White American Legion Post
Location. 39° 12.537′ N, 76° 3.963′ W. Marker is in Chestertown, Maryland, in Kent County. Marker is on High Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is on Monument Row. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chestertown MD 21620, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. Marker displays three photographs with the following captions: “Townspeople
Photographed By Adam Margolis, January 10, 2022
2. White & Black, Blue & Gray Marker
gathered for the dedication of the Civil War monument in June 1917.” “A wagon transported the 10-ton granite Civil War monument erected by Judge James A. Pearce to its final location in Monument Park.” “Judge James Alfred Pearce served as a 2nd Lt. in local military units in 1861. He was the son of U.S. Senator James A. Pearce. To honor Civil War soldiers he erected a granite monument in 1917.”
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 28, 2012
3. Civil War Monument and the "White & Black, Blue & Gray" Marker
Photographed By Adam Margolis, January 10, 2022
4. White & Black, Blue & Gray Marker
Photographed By William Pfingsten, October 18, 2007
5. Civil War Monument, Union Face
“To the soldiers of Kent in the Federal Army, 1861–1865, Second Eastern Shore Regiment. (list of names)” Marker erected in 1917.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 28, 2012
6. Civil War Monument Dedication
Townspeople gathered for the dedication of the Civil War monument in June 1917.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 28, 2012
7. Transporting the Civil War Monument
A wagon transported the 10-ton granite Civil War monument erected by Judge James A. Pearce to its final location in Monument Park.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 28, 2012
8. Judge James Alfred Pearce
Judge James Alfred Pearce served as a 2nd Lieutenant in local military units in 1861. He was the son of U.S. Senator James A. Pearce. To honor Civil War soldiers, he erected a granite monument in 1917.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,640 times since then and 8 times this year. Last updated on November 26, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos:1. submitted on October 19, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on January 10, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3. submitted on January 23, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4. submitted on January 10, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 5. submitted on October 19, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 6, 7, 8. submitted on January 23, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.