2nd Missouri Colored Infantry Regiment explained
The 2nd Missouri Colored Infantry Regiment was an African-American infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Redesignated as the 65th U.S. Colored Troops Regiment on March 11, 1864.
Service
It was attached to:
- the Department of the Missouri to June 1864
- Provisional Brigade, District of Morganza, Louisiana, Department of the Gulf, to September 1864
- 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, United States Colored Troops, District of Morganza, Department of the Gulf, to February 1865
- 1st Brigade, 1st Division, United States Colored Troops, District of Morganza, Louisiana, Department of the Gulf, to May 1865, on garrison duty at Morganza
- Northern District of Louisiana and Department of the Gulf to January 1867; it was ordered to Port Hudson, Louisiana, for garrison duty there and at Baton Rouge and in the Northern District of Louisiana
It mustered out on January 8, 1867.
Founding of Lincoln University
One of the soldiers' most important achievements came at the end of the war. Between duties, and after the termination of hostilities, soldiers of the 62nd and 65th U.S. Colored Troops had been learning to read and write. The troops of the two regiments agreed that they wished to continue their studies as civilians. The soldiers and their officers signed resolutions pledging to work to establish a school "for the special benefit of free blacks". Troops of the 65th U.S.C.T. were energetic in working towards this goal, raising $1,300 to support the establishment of the planned educational institution.[1] This effort eventually led to the opening of the Lincoln Institute (now Lincoln University) in Jefferson City, Missouri, on September 16, 1866. and http://adamarenson.com/the-great-heart-of-the-republic/errata/
Total strength and casualties
Regiment lost during service 6 Officers and 49 Enlisted men by disease.
The last surviving member of the regiment, and the last surviving black veteran of the Civil War, was the former drummer boy, Private Joseph Clovese. He died in Detroit on July 13, 1951.[2] "Joseph Clovese was the last black member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He had been born a slave, ran away, becoming a drummer boy for Company C, 65th US Colored Infantry. After the war, he spent 20 years trying to locate his mother. He cared for her until she died at age 90. He lived until he was 105."[3]
See also
References
- Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion (Des Moines, IA: Dyer Pub. Co.), 1908.
- Web site discussing the organization of Missouri "Colored Infantry", including discussions of conditions at Benton Barracks during the winter of 1863-1864. http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/county/stlouis/ct.htm
- Web side discussing participation of veterans of the 65th U.S. Colored Troops (originally the 2nd Missouri Regiment of Colored Infantry) in the founding of Lincoln University. http://www.buffalosoldier.net/62nd65thRegimentsU.S.ColoredInfantry.htm
- Lincoln University web site discussing the role of members of the 65th U.S. Colored Troops (2nd Missouri Regt of Colored Infantry) in the establishment of the University. http://www.lincolnu.edu/web/about-lincoln/our-history
- Link to waymarking site for the Soldier-Founder's Memorial at Lincoln University. http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM5QWY
Notes and References
- Arenson, Adam, The Great Heart of the West: St. Louis and the Cultural Civil War, (Cambridge, Harvard University Press, 2011) pp169-170
- "LAST G.A.R. NEGRO DIES AT AGE OF 107; Joseph Clovese, Drummer Boy and Infantryman in Civil War, Left Plantation to Serve Worked on River Boats." New York Times. JULY 14, 1951. Page 13.
- Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. The Banner (Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War). Dwight, Illinois: Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1897. Volume 125, Number 4, Summer 2019. Page 23.
