'They chose to serve': United States Colored Troops members honored at City Cemetery
Feb. 28—WILKES-BARRE — City Cemetery was the site of a wreath-laying ceremony on Thursday afternoon, during which local United States Colored Troops (USCT) members were honored for their service and sacrifices during the Civil War era. The ceremony was one of two events held in the city on Thursday in recognition of Black History Month.
"They were not drafted. They did not have to serve. They chose to serve," Bill Lewis, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, said of the Black Civil War veterans buried in City Cemetery. "They all intentionally said, 'I want to join the U.S. Army' and with that, in many cases, they signed up for what could have been, or what was, a death sentence."
Among those who were mentioned during the ceremony were Henry Brown, a conductor on the Underground Railroad, and Moses Morris, who served in the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, an all-Black regiment in the Union Army. The 54th Massachusetts is notably portrayed in the 1989 film "Glory."
Lewis pointed out the intrigue behind a 54th Massachusetts veteran being recruited from Wilkes-Barre.
"Why would they come to Wilkes-Barre — a little town in the 1860s — to find soldiers? Well, they found them."
Will Conyngham, president of the Luzerne County Historical Society, pointed out that the unit recruited servicemen from as far away as Canada and speculated that this widened search for soldiers may have likewise extended to Wilkes-Barre.
Tim Hodge, a living historian dressed in full period costume, placed a wreath at Morris' gravesite.
An estimated 196 Civil War veterans are buried in City Cemetery, and veterans of other wars rest there as well. Lewis described the Civil War soldiers who are buried there as "true heroes and true patriots" before extending his gratitude to all departed service members.
"This is truly a field of glory for all the veterans and all the folks who are buried here, but most especially for the Civil War soldiers who contributed so much."
The USCT veterans remained the main focus of Thursday's ceremony. Lewis suggested that someone from the public should identify each Civil War veteran buried in City Cemetery and compile their stories. In the case of the USCT members, that story includes volunteering to fight and remaining in danger even after the war had ended. Conyngham acknowledged the added stakes of the Civil War for USCT members, considering the war was essentially fought over the abolition of slavery.
"Many of these veterans, they were fighting to preserve the union. These guys were fighting to save their lives, not just on the battlefield," Conyngham asserted.
On Thursday evening, an event was held at the Westmoreland Club Grand Hall. There, Hodge remained in costume while portraying Captain Robert Smalls, a historical figure who was born into slavery but later freed himself through his efforts during the Civil War.
Entertainment was provided at the evening event by the Soulful Springs Gospel Choir.
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