Great Bridge in Chesapeake, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Unknown and Known Afro-Union Civil War Soldiers Memorial
Patriot Heroes Honored
Sgt. March Corprew, Company I, 2nd Regiment, Union States Colored Troops is interred east of the Memorial, was one of the founders of the Bells Mill community. He and Pvt. Jeremiah Locker, Company F, 1st Regiments, United States Colored Troops were among the early founders of the community. The marker of Pvt. Locker is one of the six markers found in the Memorial.
On May 28, 2007, the United States Colored Troops Descendants (U.S.C.T.D.) unfurled at the dedication of a 25 foot aluminum flagpole, the National Standard and the Composite National Standard Regimental Colors according to the October 11, 1864 order given by Major General Benjamin Franklin Butler:
“…it is ordered that there be inscribed upon the colors of the First and Tenth U.S. Colored Troops the name Wilson’s Wharf, that being the place where they defeated the cavalry of Fitzhugh Lee.
That the Second U.S. Colored Cavalry have inscribed the word Suffolk on their colors, for their conduct in the battle of March 9, near that place.
That the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Twenty-second U.S. Colored Troops have the word Petersburg inscribed on their banners, for their gallantry in capturing the line of works and the enemy’s guns on the 15th of June, 1864.
That the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Twenty-second, Thirty-sixth, Thirty-seventh, Thirty-Eighth U.S. Colored Troops, and the Second U.S. Colored Cavalry have the words New Market Heights inscribed upon their colors for their gallantry in carrying the enemy’s works at that point on the 29th of September.”
The memorial includes gravemarkers for Private Samuel Hopper, Co.C, 38th U.S.C.T. infantry, Private Daniel Corprew, Co.C., Private Lemuel Babb, Co.A., and Private Jeremiah Locker, Co.F., of the 1st Regiment, U.S.C.T. infantry and Private Robert Lee Johnson, Co.E., 10th U.S.C.T. infantry regiment.
The regiments that the Afro-Union patriot heroes identified here also fought at Swift Creek, Fort Darling, Deep Bottom, Fair Oaks, Darbytown Road, Plymouth and the occupation of Richmond. After the surrender of Lee to Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia on April 9, 1965, they served at various points in Texas at Brownsville, Rio Grande, Brazos Santiago, Indianola and Galveston at various times from May 1865 to January 1867.
United States Colored Troops Descendants, Officer in Charge
Dr. E. Curtis Alexander — 11-7-2009
(captions)
(lower left) Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, commander of the Army of the James, was an early and enthusiastic advocate of using USCTs in combat roles. Courtesy of Library of Congress
(lower left) Sgt. James H. Harris served in the 38th USCT with Pvt. Samuel Hopper and was awarded the Medal of Honor for valor during the Battle of New Market Heights, in which Hopper was killed. Courtesy Library of Congress
(lower right) Composite National Standard Regimental Colors
Erected 2009 by United States Colored Troops Descendants.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1867.
Location. 36° 43.307′ N, 76° 16.14′ W. Marker is in Chesapeake, Virginia. It is in Great Bridge. Marker is at the intersection of Bells Mills Road and Progress Drive, on the left when traveling west on Bells Mills Road. The marker is located in the Sgt. March Corprew Family Memorial Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1001 Bells Mills Road, Chesapeake VA 23322, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Battle of Great Bridge (approx. 1.1 miles away); History of Norfolk County (approx. 1.1 miles away); Never Forget (approx. 1.1 miles away); Chesapeake Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.2 miles away); SSG Jonathan Kilian Dozier, USA (approx. 1.2 miles away); Battle of Great Bridge Monument (approx. 1.2 miles away); Liquid Highways (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Iron Titans Tame the Marsh (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chesapeake.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,387 times since then and 66 times this year. Last updated on November 25, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 25, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.