USCT Recruitment Poster

Camp Nelson, 12th Regiment, USCT Recruitment poster, 1864.

Camp Nelson was the third largest recruiting and training camp for African Americans in the United States in which the camp provided the Union Army with over 10,000 troops. Many African American men brought their families to Camp Nelson to seek refugee and it was here where they finally gained their freedom. With this gained freedom the camp started to put out recruitment poster specifically to attracted African American Troops. 

General Order No. 329: Protection of Slaves

General Order No. 329 Issued by the War Department on 

October 3, 1863.

General Order No. 329 was issued by the War Department to facilitate recruiting in the states of Maryland, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky. It stated that if a slave was accepted for recruitment they were entitled to compensation for their service and labor but not to exceed more than three hundred dollars. This issued General Order shows that many slaves would escape their owners to become a part of the United States Colored Troops in order to become free from slavery and their owners. 

Lieutenant Frederick S. Goodrich's Inscribed Saber

   Klingenthal Officer’s Saber inscribed by Lieutenant Frederick S.    Goodrich of the 33rd USCT regiment.  May 10, 1864. 

This is a saber used by Lieutenant Frederick S. Goodrich who was a part of the 33rd USCT regiment. It was inscribed with the words "F S Goodrich / LIEUT 33d USCT May '10' 1864"

USCT: Muster Roll of the 127th Regiment

Roster of the United States Colored Troops 127th Regiment, 1865

USCT Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor is pinned on the uniform of Massillon native First Sgt. Robert A, Pinn, who with Co.1, 5th U.S. Colored Troops, 1865

USCT Flag

United States Colored Troops of the 84th Regiment Colored Infantry Flag, 1864-66

This flag represent a newly found freedom and the promise of citizenship for the African American solders who fought bravely in the Civil War. It became relics that bore witness to the ultimate courage and sacrifice the soldiers who fought in the war for their country that treated them so badly. The 84th Colored Regiment served in the Gulf of Mexico area until March of 1866 where this flag was proudly displayed. 

The USCT Unifrom

Photograph of a United States Colored Troops Union soldiers, 1863-1865

At the beginning of the Civil War African American troops were unable to wear the uniform of the Union Army only very few regiments allowed the volunteer soldiers to proudly wear the uniform.