John J. Wright

Educational & Cultural Center Museum

7565 Courthouse Rd * Spotsylvania, VA  22551-2706

(540) 582-7583, ext 5545 * (540) 582-3945 (fax)

 

Open Thursday - Saturday, 10am-3pm
 

MISSION

The 23rd Regiment USCT promotes a greater awareness and understanding of African American military service and sacrifice during the Civil War, their lasting contribution to freedom, and continued legacy and relevance to freedom and democracy.  Through a variety of venues and programs, we will commemorate the role of the 23rd USCT and other USCT regiments in the Civil War and their continued importance in today's America.

23rd Infantry Regiment

U. S. Colored Troops

 

"I have the honor to report that at 12.30pm this day the Second Ohio Cavalry, stationed at Piney Branch Church, were compelled to fall back, being attacked by superior forces, consisting of one brigade of cavalry, with two pieces of artillery.  I immediately ordered the Fourth Division in readiness, and marched the Twenty-third U. S. Colored Troops to support the cavalry.  On arriving at Alrich's, on the Plank Road, I found the Second Ohio driven across the road, and the enemy occupying the crossroads.  I ordered the colored regiment to advance on the enemy in line of battle, which they did, and drove the enemy in perfect rout."

 

                                                       Report of Brig. General Edward Ferrero

                                                                          discussing a skirmish during the

                                                                          Wilderness Campaign in May, 1864
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Above are scenes from the March 31, 2012 reenactment of the end of the Civil War -- the surrender of General Robert E. Lee to General Ulysses S. Grant.  The event wa held in Appomattox, Virginia in conjunction with the opening of the new Museum of the Confederacy.  Members of the 23rd Infantry Regiment and the 54th Massachusetts, U. S. Colored Troops (public historians) participated proudly in the festivities.  They led the procession for General Robert E. Lee's surrender and helped educate the crowd about the role of black soldiers and their regiment leaders during the Civil War.

MEMBERS

email:  23usct@jjwmuseum.org

 

James Anderson

Roger C. Braxton, Jr.

John Cummings

Steward Henderson

Horace McCaskill

James Price

Rev. Hashmel Turner

Kevin R. Williams, Sr.


Click HERE for photographs and biographies of each infantryman.

What is the 23rd?

     The 23rd Infantry Regiment, U. S. Colored Troops, was one of nine in the IX Corps, an independent corps that joined both the Army of the Potomac and the Army of the James.


     Other regiments of the IX Corps were the 19th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st, 39th and 43rd.  They were under the direction of Generals Edward Ferrero and Ambrose Burnside.  Click HERE for more information.