Near Frederick in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Slave to Soldier
Monocacy National Battlefield
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 9, 2014
1. Slave to Soldier Marker
To the right is a facimile illustration - "At Monocacy Junction, January 6, 1864, Grafton Burgee signed over his property - William "Samuel" Adams - for $300 (receipt below), enabling Adams to join the Union army and ultimately gain his freedom. Private Adams was assigned to Company D, 19th Regiment, United States Colored Troops for three years."
The background of the marker is a photograph captioned, "Although not recruited at Monocacy Junction, these members of the Provost Guard of the 107th Colored Infantry at Fort Corcoran near Washington, D.C. fought bravely as did the five Maryland U.S. Colored Regiments inducted here."
The background of the marker is a photograph captioned, "Although not recruited at Monocacy Junction, these members of the Provost Guard of the 107th Colored Infantry at Fort Corcoran near Washington, D.C. fought bravely as did the five Maryland U.S. Colored Regiments inducted here."
On October 1, 1863, nine months after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton advised Lincoln that it was a "military necessity in the State of Maryland… for enlisting all persons capable of bearing arms… without regard to color ...." A "colored troops" recruiting station was soon established at Monocacy Junction. Local slave owners received up to $300 for the enlistment of their slaves. Lincoln allowed slaves - who had their owner's consent or who had escaped from owners disloyal to the Union - to enlist in the army. In return the slaves were "forever thereafter… free."
Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letter, U.S., let him get an eagle on his button and musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pocket, there is no power on earth that can deny that he has earned the right to citizenship.
Frederick Douglass, former slave, American abolitionist, author, orator, and statesman
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1904.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Nick of Time (here, next to this marker); A Crossroads of History (within shouting distance of this marker); A Bold Plan (within shouting distance of this marker); Caring for the River (within shouting distance of this marker); Federals Take a Stand (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Commemoration (about 400 feet away); 14th New Jersey Infantry Regiment (about 500 feet away); CPL Kirk J Bosselmann (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Frederick.
Also see . . . Monocacy National Battlefield. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on May 13, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 2, 2014
2. Slave to Soldier Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2014, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 684 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 31, 2014, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on November 4, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
