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Speaker Series - Recruitment of Black Soldiers in U.S. Military in Northwest Pennsylvania During the Civil War

Tuesday Oct 20th, 2020

Speaker Series || October 20th, 2020 || 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

A brief history of raising Union black regiments during the Civil War will be provided. 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 program will be livestreamed on our Facebook page and later posted to our website and YouTube Channel.

This will be presented by George Deutsch, Executive Director, Erie County Historical Society, and Brian Graff, Retired Geographer/Cartographer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

This event will be co-hosted with Jefferson Educational Society and the Erie Civil War Roundtable.