Princeton in Gibson County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Black Civil War Substitutes

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 23, 2021

1. Black Civil War Substitutes Marker

Inscription.

By 1862, the Union Army’s need for new recruits could no longer be met by volunteers; in March 1863, U.S. Congress passed the Enrollment Act authorizing a national draft. Drafted or enrolled men of means could hire substitutes to serve in their stead. Many substitutes were African Americans fleeing war or slavery and seeking a source of income and citizenship.

Indiana did not meet July 1864 troop quota. For December troop call, over 1,200 Hoosiers obtained substitutes; nine southern-born African Americans joined 8th Regiment U.S. Colored Infantry as substitutes for white Gibson County men. The 8th Regiment, part of African American 25th Corps, took part in campaign leading to Lee’s surrender and war’s end, April 1865.

Erected 2015 by Indiana Historical Bureau and the City of Princeton. (Marker Number 26.2015.1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1863.

Location. 38° 21.346′ N, 87° 34.209′ W. Marker is in Princeton,

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Indiana, in Gibson County. It is on North West Street north of West Broadway Street (Indiana Route 64), on the left when traveling north. The marker is located beside the sidewalk on the east side of Downtown Princeton Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 West Broadway Street, Princeton IN 47670, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Indiana’s Tri-State Region,

in Southern Indiana,

and in the Wabash Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Industry (within shouting distance of this marker); Lyles Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Coal Mining (within shouting distance of this marker); Tri-State Tornado (within shouting distance of this marker); Railroads (within shouting distance of this marker);

Black Civil War Substitutes Marker Reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 23, 2021

2. Black Civil War Substitutes Marker Reverse

Patoka Wildlife Refuge (within shouting distance of this marker); Prince Town (within shouting distance of this marker); Stellar Community (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Princeton.

Also see . . .
1. Enrollment Act (1863) (The Conscription Act).

Any draftee not excused could hire a substitute, guaranteeing exemption from any future draft, or pay a fee of $300, providing exemption for one draft, leading to the widespread charge in newspapers and political meetings that the Civil War was "a rich man's war and a poor man's fight." Paying for substitutes had a long tradition in European and American warfare and was employed during the American Revolution.

(Submitted on August 24, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. 8th United States Colored Infantry Regiment (Wikipedia). Excerpt:

The 8th United States Colored Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was composed of African American enlisted men commanded by white officers and was authorized by the Bureau of Colored Troops which
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 23, 2021

3. Black Civil War Substitutes Marker
(looking south • North West Street on left)
was created by the United States War Department on May 22, 1863.

(Submitted on August 24, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. 8th Infantry Regiment U.S. Colored Troops.

Battles: Olustee, Bermuda Hundred, Chaffin’s Farm, Darbytown Road, Siege of Petersburg, Hatcher’s Run, Fall of Petersburg, Pursuit of Lee, and Appomattox Court House.

(Submitted on August 24, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 23, 2021

4. Black Civil War Substitutes Marker Reverse

(looking north • North West Street on right)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 388 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on January 1, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 24, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.