Springfield in Clark County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

United States Colored Troops

Interred Fern Cliff Cemetery - Springfield Ohio

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, September 29, 2020

1. United States Colored Troops Marker

Inscription.

United States Colored Troops. Interred Fern Cliff Cemetery - Springfield Ohio. , “Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letter, U.S., let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pocket, there is no power upon earth that can deny that he has earned the right to full citizenship.” , , Frederick Douglass, President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation signed January 1, 1863 paved the way for recruiting black soldiers for voluntary Union service. By the war’s end, roughly 179,000 soldiers served as United States Colored Troops, while 19,000 served in the Navy. Approximately 40,000 black soldiers died in the Civil War. The USCTs comprised one-tenth of Union manpower with 175 regiments serving in the Union Army. Facing difficult circumstances, they fought with distinction that eventually provided means to bring the end to slavery, to receive full citizenship and to gain the right to vote., United States Colored Troops Interred Fern Cliff Cemetery - Springfield Ohio, Regiment . Name . Company . Unit , 1 . Morgan, Perry . B . USCHA , 5 . Amos, John . K . USCT , 5 . Banion, John W. . E . USCI , 5 . Bluford, Gabriel . A . USCT , 5 . Brannam, Joseph . I . USCI , 5 . Brown, E.M. . B . USCI , 5 . Cissell, Charles . D . USCC , 5 . Cunningham, Alexander . C . USCT , 5 . Dent, Franlin . E . USCT , 5 . Harper, William . B . USCHA , 5 . Hawkins, James . K . USCT , 5 . Isley, James . A . USCT , 5 . Jarris, Samuel . G . USCI , 5 . Jones, James A. . A . USCT , 5 . Kelley, William H. . K . USCT , 5 . Letts, Nelson . D . USCT , 5 . Melvin, George W. . M . USCHA , 5 . Mudd, Peter . L . USCI , 5 . Reed, Isaiah . A . USCT , 5 . Shafer, William H. . F . USCT , 5 . Smith, Martin . D . USCT , 5 . Spears, Samuel . K . USCY, Of the USCT interred here, 45 of them, identified by an asterisk , were present at either Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox on April 9, 1865 or at Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston’s surrender to Union General William T. Sherman at Bennett Place April 26, 1865 (34 names on east side) , (38 names on west side) , (55 names on back)

“Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letter, U.S., let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pocket, there is no power upon earth that can deny that he has earned the right to full citizenship.”
—Frederick Douglass

President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation signed January 1, 1863 paved the way for recruiting black soldiers for voluntary Union service. By the war’s end, roughly 179,000 soldiers served as United States Colored Troops, while 19,000 served in the Navy. Approximately 40,000 black soldiers died in the Civil War. The USCTs comprised one-tenth of Union manpower with 175 regiments serving in the Union Army. Facing difficult circumstances, they fought with distinction that eventually provided means to bring the end to slavery, to receive full citizenship and to gain the right to vote.

United States Colored Troops Interred Fern Cliff Cemetery - Springfield Ohio

Regiment • Name • Company • Unit
1 • Morgan, Perry • B • USCHA
5 • Amos, John • K • USCT
5 • Banion, John W. • E • USCI
5 • Bluford, Gabriel • A • USCT
5 • Brannam, Joseph • I • USCI
5 • Brown, E.M. • B • USCI
5 • Cissell, Charles • D • USCC
5 • Cunningham, Alexander • C • USCT
5 • Dent, Franlin •

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E • USCT
5 • Harper, William • B • USCHA
5 • Hawkins, James • K • USCT
5 • Isley, James • A • USCT
5 • Jarris, Samuel • G • USCI
5 • Jones, James A. • A • USCT
5 • Kelley, William H. • K • USCT
5 • Letts, Nelson • D • USCT
5 • Melvin, George W. • M • USCHA
5 • Mudd, Peter • L • USCI
5 • Reed, Isaiah • A • USCT
5 • Shafer, William H. • F • USCT
5 • Smith, Martin • D • USCT
5 • Spears, Samuel • K • USCY

Of the USCT interred here, 45 of them, identified by an asterisk *, were present at either Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox on April 9, 1865 or at Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston’s surrender to Union General William T. Sherman at Bennett Place April 26, 1865 (34 names on east side)
(38 names on west side)
(55 names on back)

Erected 2020 by Ferncliff Cemetery Association and the Gammon House, Inc.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil.

Location. 39° 56.266′ N, 83° 49.292′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Ohio, in Clark County. Memorial can be reached from West McCreight Avenue (Ohio Route 41) near St

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, September 29, 2020

2. United States Colored Troops Marker

Paris Pike, on the left when traveling west. Located at the Grand Army of the Republic Mound in Ferncliff Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 West McCreight Avenue, Springfield OH 45504, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Asa Smith Bushnell (a few steps from this marker); Union Soldiers Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); James Leffel (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Eliza D. Stewart (about 400 feet away); John Dick (about 500 feet away); John Ludlow (about 500 feet away); Oliver Smith Kelly (about 700 feet away); Veterans Memorial (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, September 29, 2020

3. United States Colored Troops Marker

full view of new monument, in front of old statue on column

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, September 29, 2020

4. United States Colored Troops Marker

marker as seen from a distance

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, September 29, 2020

5. United States Colored Troops Marker

artwork on monument

Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2020, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 222 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on March 17, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 30, 2020, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.