Pictorial History of the United States Colored Troops in the Civil War

In March of 1862, Abraham Lincoln forbade Union officers from returning fugitive slaves. Later that year he signed the first Emancipation Proclamation. As news of these two orders began to infiltrate the south, refugees flocked to Union lines and Freedmen's camps in the border states.

Frederick Douglass traveled to northern refugee camps (including Freedmen's Village in Arlington, Virginia) delivering speeches to encourage residents to fight for their newfound freedom.

USCT soldiers served on many different battlefields. The 20^th USCT, pictured here, served as far south as Louisiana; a dangerous assignment for black soldiers. Capture for a USCT soldier meant suffering the punishment of a runaway slave.

In 1864, Sergeant James H. Harris of the 38^th USCT was cited for “Gallantry in the Assault” at Market Square, Virginia. In 1874, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions. He is buried in Section 27 of Arlington National Cemetery.

All images except the 20th USCT from the Library of Congress.

20th USCT image from the National Archives.