Northshore in Chattanooga in Hamilton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
United States Colored Troops
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014
1. United States Colored Troops Marker
Inscription.
United States Colored Troops. . The United States Colored Troops (U.S.C.T.) in Tennessee experienced every facet of war between 1863 and 1865. In the spring of 1863 General Lorenzo Thomas was appointed Commissioner for the Organization of Colored Troops for the Union Army in Tennessee. By war's end, Thomas's organization had raised nearly 24,000 black troops from Tennessee and other states, filling 22 infantry regiments and 8 artillery units. , Initially fearful of allowing black troops in battle, the Union army employed them as laborers, construction workers and guards. U.S.C.T. regiments supervised black women and children crowded into disease-ridden camps outside Tennessee cities. They garrisoned forts and built fortifications in Tennessee, north Alabama and north Georgia, and guarded prisoners of war. The U.S.C.T. guarded railroads from guerrilla raids; this duty in fact, introduced Tennessee black troops to combat., Nearly 24,000 men of color served in the Union army stationed in Tennessee and suffered almost 4,500 casualties. They persisted against ideas of inferiority professed by Southerners as well as some white Union commanders. Black troops feared mistreatment, or even death, if captured and proved to themselves and their white commanders that they were fighters. Their role in Tennessee during the Civil War should be recognized as indispensable.
The United States Colored Troops (U.S.C.T.) in Tennessee experienced every facet of war between 1863 and 1865. In the spring of 1863 General Lorenzo Thomas was appointed Commissioner for the Organization of Colored Troops for the Union Army in Tennessee. By war's end, Thomas's organization had raised nearly 24,000 black troops from Tennessee and other states, filling 22 infantry regiments and 8 artillery units.
Initially fearful of allowing black troops in battle, the Union army employed them as laborers, construction workers and guards. U.S.C.T. regiments supervised black women and children crowded into disease-ridden camps outside Tennessee cities. They garrisoned forts and built fortifications in Tennessee, north Alabama and north Georgia, and guarded prisoners of war. The U.S.C.T. guarded railroads from guerrilla raids; this duty in fact, introduced Tennessee black troops to combat.
Nearly 24,000 men of color served in the Union army stationed in Tennessee and suffered almost 4,500 casualties. They persisted against ideas of inferiority professed by Southerners as well as some white Union commanders. Black troops feared mistreatment, or even death, if captured and proved to themselves and their white commanders that they were fighters. Their role in Tennessee during the Civil War should be recognized as indispensable.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.
Location. 35° 3.614′ N, 85° 18.62′ W. Marker is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Hamilton County. It is in Northshore. Marker can be reached from River Street west of Tremont Street, on the left when traveling west. This historic marker is located along the north side of the river, in Renaissance Park, along a park walking trail that runs east and west, near the north bank of the Tennessee River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chattanooga TN 37405, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of a Civil War era photograph showing a member of the United States Colored Troops.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014
3. United States Colored Troops Marker
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of a Civil War era photograph showing a member of the United States Colored Troops.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014
4. United States Colored Troops Marker
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of a Civil War era photograph showing a member of the United States Colored Troops.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014
5. United States Colored Troops Marker
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014
6. United States Colored Troops Marker
View, looking north, of the featured marker, seen to the left of the two markers being viewed.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014
7. United States Colored Troops Marker
View of the marker, looking west, along a park walkway.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014
8. United States Colored Troops Marker
View of the marker, looking east, along a park walkway.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 474 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on June 17, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on June 15, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.