Pekin in Tazewell County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
29th United States Colored Infantry
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 6, 2024
1. 29th United State Colored Infantry Marker
Inscription.
29th United States Colored Infantry. . One of 175 Civil War regiments that gave African-American men the chance to fight for the Union, the 29th U.S. Colored Infantry was organized April 24, 1864, and dismissed Nov. 6, 1865. With 2072 men from Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin, it was the largest Black Civil War regiment. They participated in the Siege of Petersburg, the Battles of the Crater, Globe Tavern, Poplar Grove Church, Boydton Plank Road, and the Appomattox campaign. Sent to Texas, the last U.S. stronghold of slavery, the 29th took part in the June 18, 1865 Galveston landing. Freedom was proclaimed there June 19, an event known as Juneteenth. In April 1864, 12 African-American men went to the Tazewell County Courthouse and volunteered for the Union Army. All knew well the evil of slavery and understood their danger as Black men fighting to end slavery. One, Pvt. William H. Costley, was the first enslaved male freed with the help of Abraham Lincoln. Of these 12, two died in service, five remained with the regiment and witnessed the first Juneteenth. Another, Pvt. Costley's brother-in-law George Lee, was assigned to Massachusetts' colored regiment and was also at Juneteenth.
One of 175 Civil War regiments that gave African-American men the
chance to fight for the Union, the 29th U.S. Colored Infantry was
organized April 24, 1864, and dismissed Nov. 6, 1865. With 2072 men from
Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin, it was the largest Black Civil War
regiment. They participated in the Siege of Petersburg, the Battles
of the Crater, Globe Tavern, Poplar Grove Church, Boydton Plank
Road, and the Appomattox campaign. Sent to Texas, the last U.S.
stronghold of slavery, the 29th took part in the June 18, 1865
Galveston landing. Freedom was proclaimed there June 19, an event
known as Juneteenth. In April 1864, 12 African-American men went to
the Tazewell County Courthouse and volunteered for the Union
Army. All knew well the evil of slavery and understood their
danger as Black men fighting to end slavery. One, Pvt. William H.
Costley, was the first enslaved male freed with the help of
Abraham Lincoln. Of these 12, two died in service, five remained
with the regiment and witnessed the first Juneteenth. Another,
Pvt. Costley's brother-in-law George Lee, was assigned to
Massachusetts' colored regiment and was also at Juneteenth.
Erected 2024 by The Illinois State Historical Society Tazewell County Board Tazewell County Clerk.
Location. 40° 34.176′ N, 89° 38.885′ W. Marker is in Pekin, Illinois, in Tazewell County. It is at the intersection of Court Street and South Capitol Street, on the right when traveling east on Court Street. Marker is in front of the Tazewell County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 342 Court St, Pekin IL 61554, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Illinois River Valley and in Greater Peoria. 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.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 6, 2024
2. 29th United State Colored Infantry Marker
. Wikipedia entry on the regiment, which was organized by Lt. Col. John A. Bross at Quincy, Illinois and mustered into service on April 24, 1864. (Submitted on August 2, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 327 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 1, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
