A brief history of raising Union black regiments during the Civil War will be provided. The focus will be on the several USCT (United States Colored Troop) regiments that were partially recruited in Northwestern Pennsylvania. Muster rolls, service records, pension records, medical records, etc. were used to perform groundbreaking original research. Individual black soldiers were identified and described who enlisted or were drafted in the city of Erie, Waterford, or Meadville. U.S. Navy service by local black men will be addressed. Postwar USCT residents of the Pennsylvania Soldiers' and Sailors' Home in Erie will also be covered. Interesting stories of individuals will enrich the research discussed with the audience.
This is presented by George Deutsch, Executive Director, Erie County Historical Society, and Brian Graff, Retired Geographer/Cartographer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.