Category Archives: Individual Stories

Civil War Letters of John C. Brock

The book Making and Remaking Pennsylvania’s Civil War is a collection of essays about the events and legacies of the Civil War in Pennsylvania.  The essay “The Civil War Letters of Quartermaster Sergeant John C. Brock, 43rd Regiment, United States Colored … Continue reading

Posted in Individual Stories | Leave a comment

Medal of Honor Recipient — Sergeant William Carney

While William Harvey Carney was born a slave in Virginia in 1840, he escaped to freedom in Massachusetts through the Underground Railroad. He later enlisted in the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and participated in the assault that took place in … Continue reading

Posted in Individual Stories | Leave a comment

“Forgotten Black Hero of Philadelphia”

Temple University professor Dr. Andy Waskie has posted a useful profile of Octavius V. Catto, an  ardent advocate for equal rights for blacks in Philadelphia during and after the Civil War. Catto was also instrumental in recruiting some of the … Continue reading

Posted in Individual Stories | Leave a comment

Stephen Smith – Businessman, Minister, & Abolitionist

This former indentured servant became a prominent businessman, minister and leader in the abolitionist movement. Address: 222 S. 5th St LANCASTER, PA, 17512 (Courtesy of Pennsylvania Civil War Trails)

Posted in Individual Stories | Leave a comment

Thomas Morris Chester

One of Harrisburg’s most famous African Americans, a leader in education, journalism, military recruitment, diplomacy and the practice of law. Chester also served as a recruiter and helped usher Pennsylvania Black men into the 54th and 55th Massachusetts Regiments. Address: … Continue reading

Posted in Individual Stories | Leave a comment

Reminiscences of My Life in Camp

Susie King Taylor, born 1848, wrote a book in 1902 documenting her time spent enrolled as a laundress with the Union’s 1st South Carolina Volunteers, later named 33rd regiment of the United States Colored Troops, during the Civil War.  Documenting … Continue reading

Posted in Individual Stories | Tagged , | Leave a comment