Red Lion Hundred in Delaware City in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

United States Colored Troops in this Cemetery

— African Union Church Cemetery —

Photographed by Pete Skillman, April 9, 2024

1. United States Colored Troops in this Cemetery Marker

Inscription. This cemetery is the final resting place for five Civil War veterans. The United States War Department established the Bureau of Colored Troops on May 22, 1863 under General Order 143. These were free African American men who served in a segregated army fighting for freedom and full citizenship. Laws passed in 1867, 1873 and 1879 ordered the War Department to provide headstones for America's Civil War veterans. More than 950 free blacks from Delaware served in the war.

The five members of the United States Colored Troops are:
Joseph B. Byard, Company D, 30th Infantry • William H. Crawford, Company C, 26th Infantry • Alexander Draper, Company C, 6th Infantry • James H. Elbert, Company C, 8th Infantry • Lewis Taylor, Company A, 6th Infantry

"Rally round the flag boys, rally once again • Shouting the battle cry of freedom • Down with the traitors, • Up with the stars"
Composed in 1862 by George Root

(captions)
National Archives-Military Service Records
6th USCT Battle Flag
Lewis Taylor, Co. A., 6th Infantry, USCT
Willis Phelps portraying James H. Elbert, Co. C., 8th Infantry, USCT

Erected by Friends

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of the African Union Church Cemetery.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.

Location. 39° 34.026′ N, 75° 35.534′ W. Marker is in Delaware City, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Red Lion Hundred. It can be reached from the intersection of 5th Street (Delaware Route 9) and 7th Street, on the right when traveling east. Located 0.4 miles south on the Michael N Castle Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Delaware City DE 19706, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Wilmington and in Greater Philadelphia.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

United States Colored Troops in this Cemetery Marker wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, April 9, 2024

2. United States Colored Troops in this Cemetery Marker wide view

of this marker: Who is Buried Here? (a few steps from this marker); Polktown's Cemetery Rediscovered (a few steps from this marker); Polktown, Delaware (a few steps from this marker); African Union Church Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Equal Suffrage Study Club (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort DuPont (approx. ¼ mile away); Michelle N. Smith Bridge (approx. ¼ mile away); Chapel (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Delaware City.

Also see . . . The Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery. This organization was founded to care for and promote the cemetery. (Submitted on April 9, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)

Wide view of the cemetery itself image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, April 9, 2024

3. Wide view of the cemetery itself

Sign at the cemetery plaza entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, April 9, 2024

4. Sign at the cemetery plaza entrance

Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 279 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 9, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.