Colored Troops 1863-1865
Enlistment papers for Maine members of the United States Colored Troops that volunteered to serve with the Union in the American Civil War. President Lincoln did not authorize the use of colored troops in combat until 1863, after the Emancipation Proclamation. The Bureau of Colored Troops was established by the United States War Department in May 1863 and was responsible for recruiting African-American soldiers to fight. About 175 regiments composed of 178,000 African-American troops served the Union in the final two years of the Civil War.
Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.
