Ceremony to salute black Union soldiers

The United States Colored Troops Descendants will hold its eighth annual Veterans Day salute 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8.

This salute is one of the few of its kind in Virginia and the region that annually celebrates the valor and sacrifices made by the more than 200,000 black Union soldiers and sailors who volunteered to fight in the Civil War.

The program has been organized to celebrate Veterans Day and to commemorate the 145th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Wagner, Morris Island in July, 1863, when the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, one of the first major American military units made up of black soldiers, led the Union charge.

The open-to-the-public ceremony and program will begin at the Cuffeytown Historic Cemetery at Cuffee Road, near Long Ridge Road.

The National Standard and the Composite National Standard Regimental Colors will be hoisted by cadets with the Oscar Smith High School JROTC. Also present will be a contingent of members in Chapters 4, 26, 27 and 41 of Disabled American Veterans, and members of the U.S. Colored Troops Descendants, a division of the non-profit Bells Mill Historical Research and Restoration Society.

Young descendants of the Cuffeytown 13, a group of Afro-Union Civil War soldiers interred at the cemetery, will place flags at the site's historic graves.

At noon, the program continues at the Gabriel Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, 2216 Long Ridge Road, with a "Salute to the Gilmore Medal Recipients," those members of the 54th Massachusetts who were honored for their bravery during the Battle of Ft. Wagner, Morris Island, which included Norfolk County native Sgt. William Carney.

There wil be a panel presentation by descendents of privates Israel Phillips, Abraham Smith, Dallas Holley and Benjamin Holley and Landsman T.A. Paige, along with a roll call presentation of the Cuffeytown veterans.

During the program's reception, Bells Mill Society curator E. Curtis Alexander will sign copies of his book, "Africans in the Civil War: Essays on the Struggles, Defeats and Victories of Afro-Union Patriot Heroes."

 For more details about Saturday's free program or the activities of the U.S. Colored Troops Descendants or the Bells Mill Historical Research and Restoration Society, call 547-5542.

Eric Feber, 222-5203,

eric.feber@pilotonline.com