Someone told me once that darn near everyone had an ancestor that fought in the United States Colored Troops. While I have not made that connection yet, I do have more than a few “troopers” that I admire, be it for the betterment of the cause of humanity or just because they are who they are.
The Women:
My first pick is every single one of
my female ancestors who survived the brutal acts of slavery.
Secondly, I cry out to the mothers
who saw their loved ones off to war, some who never returned, and some who
returned with the full effects of the war with missing limbs and missing
thoughts of why they survived.
When the New York Union League Club
proclaimed their support for the men of the 20th United States
Colored Troops, I can imagine their gut wrenching pride and tears.
The club was made up of women whose relatives
and neighbors were getting ready to head out to war.
They presented the flag/ banner and stated that it was an emblem of prayers, freedom and faith. The love of a common country and the devotion to the country was imprinted in their minds.
Excerpt from article found in the New York Daily Tribune March 7,1864
These women loved their sons, husbands, uncles, nephews and neighbors
These women stood tall swelling with pride
Thirdly Isabella also known as Sojourner Truth
Born a slave in 1777 she was a
strong force in fighting for the abolishment of slavery, temperance and
suffrage. Isabella changed her name to Sojourner Truth after she became
disillusioned with a Mr. Matthews who ran away with money his followers had
invested. She was a devoted follower of him and his wife and was accused of
being involved in the trickery.
Promising to clear her good name she made a pact with herself to spend
the rest of her life fighting slavery. Mrs. Truth lived to be 106 years old.
One of my favorite speeches was Ain’t
I A Woman found in the 1992 issue of The Guardian.
Last but not least Fannie: Love Letter Straight From My Heart, keep us so near while apart
Theophilus and Harriet Person Perry lived
in Harrison County Texas. When the civil
war came Theophilus took Norfleet, a bondsman of his father Levin with him as
his man servant. Fannie was also enslaved by Levin Perry and was Norfleet’s
companion. Harriett went to stay at Spring Hill, Levin Perry’s Plantation.
As we know, the enslaved more than likely did not pen this letter however someone wrote it for her with the intention of it getting to Norfleet, the love of Fannie's life.
Here is what the letter stated dated
December 28, 1862
The original letter is located in the
Person Family papers housed at the Manuscript Division at Duke University in
the William R Perkins Library
The Men: Texas State Legislators: Reconstruction Era
These are a few of the brave men who served in the Texas Legislator during reconstruction.
A. B. Houston Bassett served in Grimes County and lived near my grandparents James Penn and Gertrude Sims Daviss.
David Abner Sr, served in Harrison County Marshall Texas the home of my maternal ancestors.
Ed Patton served in San Jacinto County and was once married to Easter Thornton in my Williams line.
A Song for the seasons past: Oh
Freedom sung by Shirley Verrett
11 comments:
Thank you for reminding us that when men go off to war, women are left longing for their return.
Good read...
Wonderful blog, you will find them!
So brave, they all were!!
You were "inspired" ... and it is wonderful.
So true Terry,real talk!
Thanks kathleen, I appreciate your comments.
Thanks Much Selma!
Ms. Vicky....I love it. All the women on Standing by. The letters. I am still looking and hoping I have a USCT! Thanks for the Many Rivers Prospective.
Thanks True! My fingers are crossed for that USCT you are wanting.
We tend to forget the sacrifices women make during war times. Thank you for sharing their stories.
I don't have any USCT in my direct line either. I remember Sojourner Truth's speech so well because my daughter once gave it for a 4-H project. Appreciate you sharing about the women.
Hopefully Kristin someone will call their name for us.
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