Vicksburg National Military Park in Warren County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Joining Up for Freedom

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017

1. Joining Up for Freedom Marker

Recruitment poster in left corner was used in 1863 to attract black soldiers to join the Union Army.

Inscription. The Union army became a refuge for formerly enslaved  African Americans in 1862. The Second Confiscation Act  declared that enslaved people taking refuge behind Union  lines would be set free. Across the South, black freedom  seekers flocked to the Federals, and worked as laborers, cooks, and teamsters. But many wanted to fight in battle.  And fight, they did.

In 1862 and 1863, forward-thinking Union commanders  began forming units like the 1st and 3rd Mississippi  Regiments, African Descent. But many Northerners were  skeptical about the decision to accept blacks into military  service. The tide of public opinion quickly turned after  heroic action by black troops in 1863 at Port Hudson and  Milliken's Bend along the Mississippi.

[Photo captions]
Bottom left: By early 1863, white recruits had slowed to a  trickle. The Union army desperately needed  more men. Creating black regiments brought  an infusion of new soldiers-helping the  North keep a numerical advantage over  the South, and win the war.
Bottom right: These soldiers were among the first formerly  enslaved men to join the Union army.

Erected by National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 32° 22.439′ N, 90° 50.004′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi

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, in Warren County. Marker is on Grant Avenue, 0.3 miles east of Sherman Loop, on the right when traveling east. Located at the African American Monument. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Grant Avenue, Vicksburg MS 39183, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1st and 3rd Mississippi Infantry Regiments (USA) (here, next to this marker); Illinois 131 Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Cyrus Bussey (within shouting distance of this marker); Illinois 120th Infantry. (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hugh T. Reid (about 300 feet away); Robert B. Potter (about 400 feet away); Wm. Sooy Smith (about 500 feet away); Nathan Kimball (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vicksburg National Military Park.

Also see . . .
1. National Park Service on the African American Monument. (Submitted on October 29, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
2. Facts, information and articles about African Americans In The Civil War, from Black History. (Submitted on October 29, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Joining Up for Freedom Marker at the African American Monument. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017

2. Joining Up for Freedom Marker at the African American Monument.

African American Monument next to marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017

3. African American Monument next to marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2017. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 357 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 29, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.