Beallsville in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
African American Soldiers from Montgomery County
1861-1865
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, July 26, 2015
1. African American Soldiers from Montgomery County Marker
Inscription.
African American Soldiers from Montgomery County. , Black men , both free and enslaved , were called upon to fight in the Civil War which ultimately led to the dismantlement of slavery, that ‘peculiar institution.’, As the Civil War dragged on, the state newspapers exaggerated that the percentage of able bodied men in Maryland produced conscriptions (or drafts) where “the proportion of colored persons drawn in [sic] largely excess of whites.” Of the 1,913 local men who faced draft in 1863, only 329 were African American. Just like their free black counterparts, enslaved men were given name recognition in the published draft lists., Some enslaved men did not wait to be drafted and dictated their own fate. Court records reveal that a few were manumitted or freed by their owners to enlist in the U.S. Army. Freedom papers identified enslaved men such as Robert Oliver Scott of Brookeville as being released from bondage with “freedom to commence” military duty. Scott ultimately joined the 30th Regiment of the U.S. Colored Troops, where he saw combat in Virginia and North Carolina. While serving in the South, black soldiers faced racial tension and were referred to as “smoked Yankees” by local residents. , “I remember when the Yankee and Confederate soldiers both came to Poolesville. Capn Sam White he join the Confederate in Virginia. He come home and say he goin' to take me along back with him for to serve him. But the Yankees came and he left very sudden and leave me behind I was glad I didn't have to go with him.” Reverend Phillip Johnson, formerly enslaved in Poolesville.
September 14,1937 Oral Interview. Federal Writers Project of WPA. Library of Congress. , On July 17, 1862, Congress passed the Second Confiscation and Militia Act, which allowed the use of African Americans in federal service. They could not serve in combat, however, until the Emancipation Proclamation as issued on January 1, 1863.
Black men — both free and enslaved — were called upon to fight in the Civil War which ultimately led to the dismantlement of slavery, that ‘peculiar institution.’
As the Civil War dragged on, the state newspapers exaggerated that the percentage of able bodied men in Maryland produced conscriptions (or drafts) where “the proportion of colored persons drawn in [sic] largely excess of whites.” Of the 1,913 local men who faced draft in 1863, only 329 were African American. Just like their free black counterparts, enslaved men were given name recognition in the published draft lists.
Some enslaved men did not wait to be drafted and dictated their own fate. Court records reveal that a few were manumitted or freed by their owners to enlist in the U.S. Army. Freedom papers identified enslaved men such as Robert Oliver Scott of Brookeville as being released from bondage with “freedom to commence” military duty. Scott ultimately joined the 30th Regiment of the U.S. Colored Troops, where he saw combat in Virginia and North Carolina. While serving in the South, black soldiers faced racial tension and were referred to as “smoked Yankees” by local residents.
“I remember when the Yankee and Confederate soldiers both came to Poolesville. Capn Sam White he join the Confederate in Virginia.
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He come home and say he goin' to take me along back with him for to serve him. But the Yankees came and he left very sudden and leave me behind I was glad I didn't have to go with him.” Reverend Phillip Johnson, formerly enslaved in Poolesville.
September 14,1937 Oral Interview. Federal Writers Project of WPA. Library of Congress
On July 17, 1862, Congress passed the Second Confiscation and Militia Act, which allowed the use of African Americans in federal service. They could not serve in combat, however, until the Emancipation Proclamation as issued on January 1, 1863.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1838.
Location. 39° 11.429′ N, 77° 25.114′ W. Marker is in Beallsville, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker can be reached from Darnestown Road (Maryland Route 28) one mile north of Beallsville Road (Route 109), on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in the Woodstock Equestrian Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20207 Darnestown Rd, Beallsville MD 20839, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Equestrian Heritage (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Brewer Farmstead (about 600 feet away); Washington's Farm (approx. ¾ mile away);
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, July 26, 2015
2. African American Soldiers from Montgomery County Marker
This ambrotype, c. 1863 - 1865, shows an unidentified Union soldier with his wife and daughters. It is believed that he served in one of seven U.S.C.T. regiments raised in Maryland.
LOC photo used on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, July 26, 2015
5. Muster Roll
Muster roll of 1863 showing white and “colored” men who were drafted into military service from Montgomery County.
“Johnson, Charles; 29; Colored; Laborer; Married”
Close-up of image on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, July 26, 2015
6. Slave Statistics
The Slave Statistics listed at least 144 enslaved men from Montgomery County who allegedly joined Union forces prior to emancipation in November 1864. George Brewer recorded that one slave, Charles Johnson, left his Beallsville farm for the military. (Sentinel, 13 December 1861)
“Charles Johnson, Male, 40, Healthy, for life, Servt in the Military.”
Close-up of image on marker
Library of Congress
7. Union Army Cook
Union army cook shown here in City Point - West Point, Virginia, c. 1861 - 1865.
LOC photo used on marker
Library of Congress
8. Company E. 4th USCI at Fort Lincoln
Shown here are members of Company E, 4th U.S. Colored Infantry, at Fort Lincoln, District of Columbia.
LOC of photo used on marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 709 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on August 9, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on August 8, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.