Sergeant Alfred B. Hilton Memorial

Sergeant Alfred B. Hilton Memorial. . Black men responded to the call for military service long before enactment of the 1863 Enrollment Act which first included Blacks in the draft. Despite segregation and discrimination, these service members fought with courage and valor, many paying the ultimate sacrifice, as they had in every American war, beginning with the United States War of Independence (1775-1783). During the Civil War (1861-1865), United States Colored Troops (USCT) was the designation given to the federal organization that enrolled almost exclusively Black soldiers. Although members of other minority groups served with these units, White men overwhelmingly filled the ranks of officers and other supervisory roles. By the end of the War, the U.S. Government had raised approximately 175 USCT regiments, consisting of over 185,000 soldiers, accounting for about one-tenth of the Union army's entire number. The Union Military Departments of Virginia and North Carolina merged in 1863 to form the XIII Corps and in April 1864, merged again with the Department of the South to form the Army of the James. The two corps consisted of over 3,000 segregated regiments. Units from Maryland included the 4, 7, 9, 19, 30 and 39 USCT Regiments. About twenty percent of USCT soldiers died in combat or from wounds received in battle, a rate about thirty-five percent higher than that of White Union soldiers. Despite such heavy casualties, USCT fought with distinction and bravery, answering questions about their fitness to serve the Union. Commanding General Benjamin F. Butler noted following the Battle of New Market Heights, that any doubt as to the capacity of Black men to be worthy soldiers, "had then and there been fully settled forever.", Research into the lives and backgrounds of the men in the USCT is beset with difficulty. Few primary source documents, such as letters, dlaries, photographs, and newspaper accounts, are known to exist. Research by local historians, nonetheless, continues, seeking to identify and bring to life the Hariord County-related t men who fought to preserve the Union, abolish slavery, and promote racial equality. One local effort strives to locate the final resting places of USCT and ensure appropriate markers are installed to acknowledge their contribution to our Nation., Military Expeditions and Campaigns in and around Virginia supported by the 4th USCT during the service of Sgt. Alfred B. Hilton include: , February 6, 1864-Wister Expedition (to free federal prisoners at Libby Prison) , May 1864-Bermuda Hundred Campaign (Duncan's Brigade of Gen. Hincks Colored Division). , May June 1864-Battle of Cold Harbor , June 1864-Richmond Petersburg Campaign. , September 29, 1864-Battle of New Market Heights, Chaffin's Farm