Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Fighting for Freedom
Mount Zion Community Cemetery

By Craig Swain, August 26, 2014
1. Fighting for Freedom Marker
Inscription. Fighting for Freedom. Mount Zion Community Cemetery. Four African American Civil War veterans are buried in this cemetery: James Gaskins (39th U.S. Colored Infantry), Joseph Waters (5th Massachusetts Colored Cavalry), William Taylor (1st U.S. Colored Infantry), and John W. Langford (U.S. Navy). The first three were among the nearly 200,000 African Americans who served in the U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War - a number representing 10 percent of the total number of Federal troops. Langford, who served aboard the USS Fuschia and the USS Wyandank, was among thousands of African Americans who constituted an estimated 16 percent of the U.S. Navy's manpower. . . The four veterans buried here served in units that saw action in numerous battles in 1863-1865. Gaskins fought at Boydton Plank Road (Oct. 1864), other actions in the Richmond-Petersburg campaign, and at Fort Fisher in North Carolina (Dec. 1864-Jan. 1865). Waters's regiment served in the Siege of Petersburg. Taylor's regiment fought at Chaffin's Farm and New Market Heights (September 1864), around Petersburg, and at Fort Fisher. Langford's vessels in the Potomac Flotilla disrupted Confederate shipping. The men's headstones are reminders of the hundreds of African Americans from Loudoun County who served the Union cause. They fought to bring an end to more than two hundred years of slavery in the United States and to liberate the four million men, women, and children who were enslaved at the time of the war. Afterwards Gaskins, Waters, Taylor, and Langford became respected citizens in Leesburg's African American community. . This historical marker was erected in 2014 by Virginia Civil War Trails. It is in Leesburg in Loudoun County Virginia
Four African American Civil War veterans are buried in this cemetery: James Gaskins (39th U.S. Colored Infantry), Joseph Waters (5th Massachusetts Colored Cavalry), William Taylor (1st U.S. Colored Infantry), and John W. Langford (U.S. Navy). The first three were among the nearly 200,000 African Americans who served in the U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War - a number representing 10 percent of the total number of Federal troops. Langford, who served aboard the USS Fuschia and the USS Wyandank, was among thousands of African Americans who constituted an estimated 16 percent of the U.S. Navy's manpower.
The four veterans buried here served in units that saw action in numerous battles in 1863-1865. Gaskins fought at Boydton Plank Road (Oct. 1864), other actions in the Richmond-Petersburg campaign, and at Fort Fisher in North Carolina (Dec. 1864-Jan. 1865). Waters's regiment served in the Siege of Petersburg. Taylor's regiment fought at Chaffin's Farm and New Market Heights (September 1864), around Petersburg, and at Fort Fisher. Langford's vessels in the Potomac Flotilla disrupted Confederate shipping. The men's headstones 
By Craig Swain, August 26, 2014
2. Map showing other selected cemeteries in Loudoun
African American Civil War veterans are also buried in other Loudoun County cemeteries, including Rock Hill (Unison), Union (Waterford), Grace Annex (Lincoln), Pleasant Valley (Hamilton), and Mt. Sinai (Britain).
are reminders of the hundreds of African Americans from Loudoun County who served the Union cause. They fought to bring an end to more than two hundred years of slavery in the United States and to liberate the four million men, women, and children who were enslaved at the time of the war. Afterwards Gaskins, Waters, Taylor, and Langford became respected citizens in Leesburg's African American community.
Erected 2014 by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list.
Location. 39° 7.096′ N, 77° 33.972′ W. Marker is in Leesburg, Virginia, in Loudoun County. Marker is at the intersection of Old Waterford Road and North Street NW, on the right when traveling south on Old Waterford Road. Located to the right (north) of the entrance gate to Mt. Zion Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Leesburg VA 20176, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. In Memory of Richard Owings (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Early Methodism in Leesburg (about 400 feet away); Glenfiddich House (about 700 feet away); Lee Comes to Leesburg (about 700 feet 
By Craig Swain, August 26, 2014
3. Tombstones of the four veterans
From left to right: James Gaskins (3rd row), William Taylor (3rd row), John W. Langford (13th row), and Joseph Waters (14th row). Location of graves (left side from gate entrance)
away); Old Stone Church Site (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mt. Zion United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Confederate Soldiers (approx. 0.2 miles away); Loudoun County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leesburg.
Additional keywords. USCT

By Craig Swain, August 26, 2014
4. U.S. Colored Troops in Virginia
Courtesy Library of Congress

By Craig Swain, August 26, 2014
5. Unidentified African American sailor
Library of Congress

By Craig Swain, August 26, 2014
6. Fighting for Freedom Marker
With the cemetery in the background.

By Craig Swain, August 26, 2014
7. Fighting for Freedom Marker

By Craig Swain, August 26, 2014
8. Grave of John W. Langford

By Craig Swain, August 26, 2014
9. Grave of William Taylor

By Craig Swain, August 26, 2014
10. Grave of James Gaskins

By Craig Swain, August 26, 2014
11. Grave of Joseph Waters
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2014, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 708 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on August 27, 2014, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.