First Kansas Colored Volunteers: Contributions of Black Union Soldiers in the Trans-Mississippi West

Abstract

Over one hundred and eighty thousand black men fought for the Union during America's Civil War. From infantrymen, to artillerist and cavalry soldiers, these soldiers combined to form one hundred and sixty-six Union regiments. On 29 October 1862 at Island Mound, Missouri, the First Kansas Colored Volunteers, an infantry regiment comprised mainly of blacks from Kansas and Missouri, became the first black regiment to experience combat during the Civil War. Their courage and outstanding performance in battle, as recorded, are unquestioned. What have been omitted from research thus far are their contributions to overall Union successes in the Trans-Mississippi West. Their accomplishments are remarkable, for they came in the face of extreme obstacles of prejudice and hatred. No Quarter was ever given and No Quarter was asked of the regiment s black soldiers. The contributions of the First Kansas Colored Volunteers, in conjunction with those of the many regiments they served along side of, resulted in a resounding Union victory in the Trans-Mississippi West.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 17, 2004
Accession Number
ADA428662

Entities

People

  • Michael E. Carter

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • African Americans
  • Artillery
  • Civil War
  • Employment
  • Governments
  • Military History
  • Military Operations
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Personnel Management
  • Prisoners Of War
  • Terrorists
  • Test And Evaluation
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Military Science