John J. Wright

Educational & Cultural Center Museum

Home of the 23rd Regiment U. S. Colored Infantry
7565 Courthouse Rd * Spotsylvania, VA  22551-2706

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

 
 

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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Another Informative Program

Above are scenes from the February 9, 2013 forum, From Civil War to Civil Rights.  Cosponsored by Germanna College, the forum explored the development, destruction and rebuilding of civil rights throughout American history. 

 

Master of Ceremonies:  Jesse Johnson, member of the 23rd Regiment, U. S. Colored Troops

 

Introduction and Welcoming of Guests:  James L. Price, Germanna College and member of the 23rd Regiment, U. S. Colored Infantry

 

Forum Presenters: 

     -  "Auldie Mathews" as played by Terry Miller to tell the story of 17th century rights and their removal

 

     - John Hennessy, National Park Service discussed rights before and after the Civil War

 

     - Col. (Retired) Horace McCaskill and famed artist Johnny P. Johnson gave first-person accounts of how they gradually attained full civil rights through the turbulence of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s

 

 

MEMBERS

email:  23usct@jjwmuseum.org

 

James Anderson

Yvette Blake

Roger C. Braxton, Jr.

Lou Carter

John Cummings

Rev. Gilbert Garcia

Steward Henderson

Jesse Johnson

Horace McCaskill

James Price

Jerry L. Richards, Sr.

Rev. Hashmel Turner

Kevin R. Williams, Sr.

Robert Wright


Click HERE for photographs and biographies of each infantryman.

Next Meeting

Saturday, Feb 9th, 10:15 a.m.

John J. Wright Educational & Cultural Center

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.