On August 15, 1864, the 14th United States Colored Troops (USCT), mostly former slaves, fought off a Confederate cavalry attack near Dalton. It was the first time African American soldiers fought in the Civil War in Georgia. The USCT fought with valor in every major Union Army military battle during the last two years of the Civil War. Atlanta History Center is home to one of the nation’s most comprehensive collections of Civil War memorabilia, including a growing number of rare objects identifi

The United States Colored Troops (USCT) were regiments in the United States Army composed primarily of African-American (colored) soldiers. Other people of color who were not of African descent, such as Native Americans[1] Pacific Islanders, and Asian Americans also fought under USCT regiments.[2] They were first recruited during the American Civil War, and by the end of that war in April, 1865, the 175 USCT regiments constituted about one-tenth of the manpower of the Union Army. At the height o

Together with our sponsors at Ancestry, we're proud to tell the stories of African American families connecting to ancestors as far back as the Civil War and beyond. To learn more about these important connections visit https://www.history.com/playlists/lincolns-legacy-uncovering-the-stories-of-african-american-ancestors, and to see more stories like these be sure to check out our 3-night documentary event Abraham Lincoln on Feb 20th at 8/7c. | HISTORY