Cairo in Alexander County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
African American Troops in the Civil War
United States Colored Troops (USCT)
On May 22, 1863, the United States War Department issued General Order No. 143 to establish the proclamation which developed the Bureau of Colored Troops. African American regiments as United States Colored Troops or USCT.
This division of the Union army produced 179,000 African American men in approximately 175 regiments. In addition, 19,000 served in the Navy. In Illinois, 1,811 African American men served from the state.
Locally, brave African American men from Cairo served in the various regiments of USCT Special Honor is given to Reverend Thomas Jefferson Houston, an ordained Baptist preacher, a conductor of the Underground Railroad, and personal assistant to General Ulysses Grant known affectionally as T.J. Houston affiliated to Grant's troops in 1862. He later served as a teamster in the Battle of Corinth and became General Grant's unofficial personal bodyguard. Others who faithfully served include:
Christopher Guderian, Cairo, IL - 8th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery Washington Love, Cairo, IL-Memphis 3rd U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery Henry A. Martin, Cairo, IL - Cairo 3rd U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery Joseph Sansom, Cairo, IL - Ft. Anderson Paducah, KY, 8th U.S. Colored Artillery Henry Walker, Cairo, IL - Readville 55th MA Colored Infantry Henry Williams, Cairo, IL - Vicksburg 5th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery James Jones, Cairo, IL - Readville 55th MA Heavy Artillery Alexander Canada, Mound City, IL - Cairo, IL 4th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery Henry Menton, Pulaski, IL - 3rd U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery William Menton, Pulaski, IL - Cairo 3rd U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery William Thomas Scott, Cairo, IL - United States Navy, Victoria Gunboat
Erected 2022.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 22, 1863.
Location. 37° 0.375′ N, 89° 10.662′ W. Marker is in Cairo, Illinois, in Alexander County. Memorial is at the intersection of Sycamore Street and U.S. 51, on the right when traveling east on Sycamore Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4815 Sycamore St, Cairo IL 62914, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Historic First Presbyterian Church (approx. Ό mile away); President Clinton Visits Cairo, Illinois (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mary J. Safford (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Cairo Public Library (approx. 0.3 miles away); Magnolia Manor (approx. 0.3 miles away); Riverlore (approx. 0.4 miles away); York the Slave (approx. 0.4 miles away); Seaman (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cairo.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 252 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 16, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.