It had been a devastating four years. Over 620,000 soldiers had been killed – 10% of all Northern males aged 20-45 years and 30% of all Southern males aged 18-40 years. President Abraham Lincoln almost saw the un-uniting of the United States of America. Helping his Union cause was Bellefonte’s own Andrew Gregg Curtin, now Governor of Pennsylvania, who not only advised Lincoln, but also provided a large portion of trained Union soldiers....
Being thankful for the war’s end, the Federal army held a “Grand Review” of its troops in Washington, DC. In celebrating its victory over the Confederacy, the U.S. War Department did not invite the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) to participate. Two hundred thousand African-American soldiers were ignored. These black soldiers were established by General Order 143 on May 22, 1863 and over 10,000 (11 regiments) of them were trained at Camp William Penn near Philadelphia in Chelten Hills. About 18,000 African-Americans served in the U.S. Navy as well. This meant that 10% of Union forces were colored soldiers and 15% of the Navy were as well. What an insult not to have invited these patriots to the “Grand Review.” These USCT soldiers were also gypped out of their pay as they received only $10.00 a month, plus a clothing allowance of $3.50. It wasn’t until June 15, 1864 that Congress would grant pay for all black soldiers equal to their white counterparts. In fact, many did not receive service and disability pensions until the early 1900s.
Sixteen African-American soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor and General James Blunt, leading the battle against the Confederate forces under General Douglas Cooper, said after the July 17, 1863 battle: “I never saw such fighting as was done by the Negro regiment...The question that Negroes will fight is settled; besides they make better solders in every respect than any troops I have ever had under my command.” On September 29, 1864, the 6th USCT were fighting in
the Battle of Chapin’s Farm near Petersburg, VA where 367 entered the battle and 210 were killed or missing. One third of the USCT lost their lives in fighting for the Union. Now the remaining USCT’s were not invited to the Nation’s Capital for the “Grand Review.”This was just too much for the citizens and leading blacks of Harrisburg. They would stage their own “Grand Review” and it would consist only of USCT veterans. Thus, on Tuesday, November 14, 1865 nearly 7,000 blacks from 25 states marched before the State Capital in Harrisburg and in front of former Secretary of War Senator Simon Cameron’s house. Senator Cameron spoke: “I cannot let this opportunity pass without thanking the African soldiers for the compliment they have paid me, but more than all to thank them for the great service which they have been to their country in the terrible rebellion. Like all other men, you have your destinies in your own hands, and if you continue to conduct yourselves hereafter as your have in the struggle, you will have all the rights you ask for, all the rights that belong to human beings.” After hearing orator William Howard Day and prayers by Rev. John Walker Jackson, Harrisburg’s “Grand Review” ended with a grand ball honoring these USCT veterans.
Conservation to find, repair and restore the grave sites of USCT soldiers is underway and was commemorated at a "Grand Review" on November 14, 2010. In Bellefonte’s Union Cemetery are buried approximately nine USCT members: William Green, Moses Jackson, Franklin Johnson, Moses Johnston/Johnson, Edward Mills, Lewis Mills, Thomas Taylor, Jacob Williams, and Wilson Williams.
However, only five of these graves are marked. Franklin Johnson's is not among them -- Penn State's research was necessary to identifying his final location.
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