Research Files of Dr. John Neff
Document Type
Data Set
Publication Date
8-12-2011
Abstract
Despite their critical contributions to the Union war effort, USCT troops faced discrimination and segregation not only in the conditions of their service, but also in their treatment after death. Although the inclusion of USCT dead into the national cemeteries marked the beginnings of the integration of American cemeteries, USCT graves were often left neglected in remote, segregated plots. Despite the indiginty accorded these interments, USCT burials left to the enemy were particularly undignified--the most notrious example of which is the shallow mass-grave the dead of the 54th Massaschusetts were consigned to after the battle of Ft. Wagner.
Despite thier exclusion from the honors afforded to white Civil War dead, African-Americans nevertheless insisted on the equal treatement of their fallen soldiers, demonstrating their desire for recognition not only as equal participants in the war, but also of their rights as newly minted American citizens.
What follows is an incomplete listing of USCT cemeteries and burial plots across the United States. Again, this page is a work in progress and we would be happy to hear of any burials not yet included.
Relational Format
Data Set
Recommended Citation
Neff, John, "Cemeteries: U. S. Colored Troops Burials" (2011). Research Files of Dr. John Neff. 4.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/neff_research/4
Accessibility Status
Searchable text
Comments
This work in progress originally appeared on the website of the Center for Civil War Research at the University of Mississippi. Additional detail is available in the "Memory Database" data set, posted separately.