U Street Corridor in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
African American Civil War Memorial
"Spirit of Freedom"
| | Civil War to Civil Rights and Beyond | |
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, April 26, 2008
1. African American Civil War Memorial - "Spirit of Freedom"
This memorial is dedicated to those who served in the African American units of the Union Army in the Civil War. The 209,145 names inscribed on these walls commemorate those fighters of freedom.
[Names of the officers and enlisted men who served with the 166 regiments of the "United States Colored Troops" and other "African Descent" units during the War of the Rebellion.]
Erected 1998 by D.C. Arts and Humanities Commission and Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Heroes • Military • War, US Civil.
Location. 38° 54.992′ N, 77° 1.559′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in U Street Corridor. It is at the intersection of U Street Northwest and Vermont Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling south on U Street Northwest. Marker is located in the plaza above the Metrorail subway elevator. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washington DC 20001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker and memorial is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Men of Color, To Arms! (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named African American Civil War Memorial (within shouting distance of
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Civil War Camp to Victorian Neighborhood (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Howard University Sets the Standard (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . .
1. African American Civil War Memorial. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on May 4, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. African American Civil War Memorial and Museum. Museum website homepage (Submitted on January 16, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
Additional keywords.
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, April 26, 2008
2. "Civil War to Civil Rights and Beyond. . ."
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, April 26, 2008
3. "Spirit of Freedom" - Ed Hamilton, Sculptor.
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, April 26, 2008
4. African American Civil War Memorial
View from the corner of U Street and Vermont Avenue, NW. The "Spirit of Freedom" sculpture is visible in middle left, the Prince Hall Masonic Temple Building is in upper right.
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, July 16, 1998
5. The sculptor, Ed Hamilton, delivers "The Spirit of Freedom"
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, July 16, 1998
6. "The Spirit of Freedom" is lowered into place at the still unfinished memorial
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, July 16, 1998
7. Civil War Reenactors, Dedication Parade, 1998
Washington DC's "B" Company, 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry on Georgia Avenue.
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, April 26, 2008
8. Wall of Names
"Who would be free themselves must strike the blow. Better even die free than to live slaves!"
Frederick Douglass, March 3, 1863.
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, July 16, 1998
9. The Spirit of Freedom's Black Sailor
Estimates for the number of African Americans in naval service during the Civil War range as high as 30,000. Eight were recipients of the Medal of Honor, but they served in integrated units and were not always identified by race. Their names are not included on this memorial.
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, July 16, 1998
10. Back (south) side of "Spirit of Freedom"
A family's blessing for a soldier going to war.
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, April 15, 2011
11. African American Civil War Museum (opened 2011)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 4,488 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on April 16, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 4, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 5, 6. submitted on May 29, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 7. submitted on June 19, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 8. submitted on May 4, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 9. submitted on May 29, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 10. submitted on June 18, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 11. submitted on April 19, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
