Near Manteo in Dare County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Promised Land

Photographed By Kevin W., July 22, 2008

1. The Promised Land Marker

Inscription.

The Promised Land. . I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. Deuteronomy 34:4. The Proclamation of Emancipation gave the military authority to enlist “Such persons of suitable condition…into the armed service of the United States” and the Bureau of Colored Troops was established. Many African-Americans served with distinction., Despite the promise and participation, African-Americans, in many instances, would continue to be denied their rightful place. Reconstruction fostered a racist attitude, creating the “Jim Crow” laws designed to cheat them of their birthright. With the 1960s and the civil rights movement, African-Americans gained greater standing in American society and on August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave us a vision of what the future could bring., When we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the the words of the old Negro spiritual: “Free at last; free at last: thank God almighty, we are free at last.”, We, as a nation, still seek for all the dream that is America…and the struggle continues. Perhaps over the next hilltop lies the “Promised Land.”, Once let the black man put upon his person the brass letters ‘US,’ let him get an eagle on his button and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pocket and there is no power on earth that can deny that he earned the right to citizenship in the United States. Frederick Douglass. A large number of males from the freedmen’s colonies served with distinction during the conflict. By the war’s end 178,985 would wear the “Union Blue” and 37,300 would make the ultimate sacrifice. The US Colored Troops included 21 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor – our country’s highest award.

I have caused thee to see it
with thine eyes,
but thou shalt not go over thither.
Deuteronomy 34:4
The Proclamation of Emancipation gave the military authority to enlist “Such persons of suitable condition…into the armed service of the United States” and the Bureau of Colored Troops was established. Many African-Americans served with distinction.

Despite the promise and participation, African-Americans, in many instances, would continue to be denied their rightful place. Reconstruction fostered a racist attitude, creating the “Jim Crow” laws designed to cheat them of their birthright. With the 1960s and the civil rights movement, African-Americans gained greater standing in American society and on August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave us a vision of what the future could bring.

When we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the the words of the old Negro spiritual: “Free at last; free at last: thank God almighty, we are free at last.”

We, as

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a nation, still seek for all the dream that is America…and the struggle continues. Perhaps over the next hilltop lies the “Promised Land.”

Once let the black man put upon his person the brass letters ‘US,’ let him get an eagle on his button and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pocket and there is no power on earth that can deny that he earned the right to citizenship in the United States. Frederick Douglass
A large number of males from the freedmen’s colonies served with distinction during the conflict. By the war’s end 178,985 would wear the “Union Blue” and 37,300 would make the ultimate sacrifice. The US Colored Troops included 21 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor – our country’s highest award.

Erected by Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1963.

Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 35° 55.67′ N, 75° 43.418′ W. Marker was near Manteo, North Carolina, in Dare

Photographed By Kevin W., July 22, 2008

2. The Promised Land Marker

County. Marker was on Freedman's Colony Road near U.S. 64/264, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located at a pull-off on the right just before the William B. Umstead Memorial Bridge on the northern end of Roanoke Island. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Manteo NC 27954, United States of America.

We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this location, measured as the crow flies. Naval Battle of Roanoke Island (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Huger (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Blanchard (approx. 0.2 miles away); First English Colonies (approx. ¼ mile away); R. A. Fessenden (approx. 0.3 miles away); Joachim Gans (approx. one mile away); A Civil War Refuge (approx. one mile away); A Legacy of Freedom (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manteo.

More about this marker. The main image on this marker was drawn by Thomas Nast for Harper's Weekly in 1865. It's official title is Franchise. And Not This Man? In this case, "franchise" refers to: a statutory right or privilege granted to a person or group by a government (especially

Liberty pleads for a veteran's just reward. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kevin W., July 22, 2008

3. Liberty pleads for a veteran's just reward.

This image on the Promised Land Marker was originally published in Harper's Weekly on August 5, 1865.

the right to vote).
On this marker, the picture also carries the caption, "Liberty pleads for a veteran's just reward."

Additional keywords. USCT Colored Troops

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,886 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 29, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.