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Initially denied the right to bear arms in the first
year of the Civil War, by the end of 1862 black Soldiers were fighting
for the Union. Volunteer units from different states went on to serve
with distinction throughout the war. President Abraham Lincoln's decision
to transform the conflict from a fight to preserve the Union to a crusade
to abolish slavery transformed the history of our nation and the role
of the black Soldier.
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ALEXANDER KELLY
Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company F, 6th
U.S. Colored Troops
Place and date: At Chapins Farm, Va., 29 September
1864
Citation: Gallantly seized the colors, which had fallen near the
enemy's lines of abatis, raised them and rallied the men at a time
of confusion and in a place of the greatest danger.
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POWHATAN BEATY
Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company G, 5th U.S. Colored
Troops
Place and date: At Chapins Farm, Va., 29 September 1864
Citation: Took command of his company, all the officers having been
killed or wounded, and gallantly led it.
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