Category Archives: Individual Stories

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 →

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 →

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 →

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)

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 →