Clarksville in Montgomery County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Headquarters of the United States Colored Troops

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 8, 2025

1. Headquarters of the United States Colored Troops Marker

Inscription. During the Civil War, formerly enslaved men joined the Union Army to fight for their freedom as a part of the United States Colored Troops. In 1865, this location was used as the headquarters of the 101st Regiment Infantry of the USCT. 1364 men enlisted in the 101st USCT and were used at guard stations in Clarksville and also to guard the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. President Lincoln believed the efforts of the USCT decided the outcome of the Civil War.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3C 89.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. 36° 32.099′ N, 87° 21.391′ W. Marker is in Clarksville, Tennessee, in Montgomery County. It is on Marion Street east of Drane Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is in front of Dunn Center on the Austin Peay State University campus. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 508 Drane St, Clarksville TN 37040, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee

and in the Highland Rim.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Drane-Foust House (approx. ¼ mile away); The Montgomery County Negro Agricultural Fair / Pope G. Garrett, Sr.

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(approx. ¼ mile away); Asahel Huntington Patch / Patch Foundry (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of Montgomery County College (approx. 0.3 miles away); Austin Peay State University (approx. 0.3 miles away); Recapture of Clarksville (approx. 0.3 miles away); Archwood (approx. 0.3 miles away); Burt High School (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clarksville.

Also see . . .
1. 101st Regiment, United States Colored Infantry. Overview of the regiment's activities, with more details about the 1,364 known soldiers of the unit. (National Park Service) (Submitted on June 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. 'Unforgetting the forgotten': Remembering the 101st United States Colored Troops. The Dunn Center used to be the Howard Pettus Home. It wasn't until Phyllis Smith with the Mount Olive Cemetery Preservation Society went to Washington, D.C. and found a document containing a rough sketch of the Pettus home that the USCT headquarters was discovered. (Kyle Watts, Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle, June 19, 2023) (Submitted on June 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 8, 2025

2. Headquarters of the United States Colored Troops Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 194 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.