African American Civil War Veterans

Lincoln Cemetery, Penbrook, Dauphin County

• Adams, Horace /"Co ? 45 U.S. Col. Troops / Died July ? 1874 / Aged 46 Years"
  Unit: 45th USCT, Company G
  Notes: Born circa 1828, according to age at death. NPS records show company G. Film no. M589 roll 1.
• Anderson, Abraham
  Service:  Company A, 8th USCT
  Notes:  Died indigent, see obituary below. Additional notes from Find-a-grave researcher Dennis Brandt: Born 1835 enslaved in Washington, County, Maryland, enslaved by George Lefever from whom he escaped with several other men when war broke out in 1861. Brandt notes that Anderson "was federally drafted at the stated age of twenty-eight July 27, 1863, and mustered into federal service at Carlisle August 14 as a private with Co. A, 8th U.S. Colored Troops." Find-a-Grave page: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/239076058/abraham-anderson

  Died Before Reaching the Almshouse
  Abraham Anderson, a colored old soldier, was attacked by paralysis at the place he is working, near the Hicks Hotel, on the Jonestown Road, about five miles from this city, Thursday, and not having any known relatives in these parts, it was decided to remove him to the county almshouse for treatment. But before he reached the institution yesterday another stroke came, and with it came death. The body was taken in charge by Stevens Post, G.A.R., of this city, which gave it a soldier's burial in Lincoln cemetery this afternoon. (Harrisburg Telegraph, 6 November 1897)

• Auter, James M.
  Service:  Landsman, USS State of Georgia; landsman, USS Bermuda
  Notes:  NPS records show Auter was born in Petersburg, Virginia, age 17 at enlistment, occupation: barber; complexion: mulatto; height: 5'8".  He enlisted on November 27, 1863 in Philadelphia for a single term.  Auter served from December 7, 1863 on the State of Georgia, and on July 27, 1865 was transferred to the Bermuda. 
  Born circa 1846, Auter, according to historian Calobe Jackson, Jr., "later married Jane Chester's daughter and played Santa Claus at Governor's office. He was commander of GAR Post 527 for many years. He led post in parade at Verbeke's funeral. His house at 154 Balm was recently restored and may be listed on register of historic places." (email, Calobe Jackson, Jr. to Afrolumens Project, March 27, 2005).

• Barton, John Henry / Maryland / Pvt 7 U.S. Col. Inf. / Andrews / July 17, 1942
  Unit: 7th USCT
• Bennet, Horace B.  Calobe Jackson notes "M/Sgt Horace Bennett, 54th Mass, fought at Ft. Wagner and was wounded at Millikins Bend." (email, Calobe Jackson, Jr. to Afrolumens Project, March 27, 2005).  Bennett's tombstone shows a date of death as January 4, 1905, aged 68 years.  This would make his year of birth 1836 or 1837.  His reported age at enlistment suggests that his year of birth was 1837 or 1838.
  Notes:  NPS records show Horace B. Bennett, rank in, private; rank out, sergeant; Company F.  Microfilm M589, roll 6.  According to muster records, when mustered in, Bennett reported his residence as Middletown, Pennsylvania.  He enlisted at age 25 on April 8, 1863. (Thomas L. Doughton, Afroyankees, "Pennsylvania Men in Massachusetts Colored Infantry Units--Enlistees Arranged by Pennsylvania Town Residence," 1999, url: http://www.geocities.com/afroyankees/Military/penn1.html)
  The men from Middletown were some of the first to arrive in Boston to enlist in the newly forming 54th Massachusetts.  On April 13, 1863, a Harrisburg newspaper, The Pennsylvania Daily Telegraph, ran a story that it copied from the April 9th edition of the Boston Journal, reporting on the appearance of the Middletown men in Boston:

  Recruits for the Fifty-fourth Regiment—A party of nineteen colored men just arrived from Middletown, Pa, for the purpose of joining the 54th regiment, were at the State House yesterday, and attracted considerable attention. Many of them were fine looking fellows, and appeared to possess genuine fighting pluck. They had a guitar and violin, with which to while away the leisure hours of life in camp. (Pennsylvania Daily Telegraph, April 13, 1863)

• Booth, Robert /"My Beloved Husband / Of My Lord / Died in Harrisburg / April 22, 1887 / He Was a member of the / 1st Reg. U. S. Col. Cavly / Gone but not forgotten"
  Unit: 1st U.S. Colored Cavalry
  Notes:
• Burris, William /"Died May 1, 1909 / Aged 74 years / 123 Reg. Conn. Col. Inf."
  Unit: Not positively identified. See notes.
  Notes: Could be 29th Connecticut Colored Infantry, or 123rd USCT. NPS records show a Private William Burris in Company B of the 29th Connecticut Colored Infantry. There was no 123rd Connecticut Colored Infantry. According to his age at death, Burris would have been born circa 1835.
• Carney, Wilkin, a.k.a. W. Cary. Circa 1834-03 August 1866.
  Unit: Obituary attributes service to 43rd USCT, Company K. See notes.
  Notes: Could not locate this individual on NPS rosters, nor in Bates' records, for this regiment. Possibly served under a different name, which was not uncommon. Obituary (two articles):

  SOLDIER'S FUNERAL. The funeral of Wilkin Carney took place yesterday afternoon, from his late residence, on Third street, near Mulberry. The Delaney Guards and colored drum corps were present, besides a very large crowd of citizens, both white and colored. The usual military honors were performed at the grave, in the Ridge Road cemetery. The deceased was a brave soldier, and participated in numerous hard-fought engagements. (Harrisburg Telegraph, 6 August 1866)
  
  DEATH OF A SOLDIER. W. Cary, of this city, died yesterday, aged 32 years. Deceased was a colored soldier, having enlisted May 19, 1864, in Co. K, 43d Reg., 9th Army Corps, and participated in numerous engagements, always exhibiting good fighting qualities. His funeral will take place at 3 o'clock to-morrow afternoon. Interment at the old cemetery on Ridge Road. (Harrisburg Telegraph, 4 August 1866)

• Craig, William / "P. Co. H, 32 Reg. Vol. Col. Inf. / 1843 - 1927"
  Unit: 32nd USCT, Company H
• Cumpton, Jacob T. / Died / Sep. 6, 1905 / Aged 69 Y. / Co. D. 24 Reg. / U.S.C.T.
  Unit:  24th USCT, Company D / Also (as "Compton") Independent (Colored) Co. I, Militia, 1864 (record 5-133, Pennsylvania State Archives)
  Notes:  Cumpton is said to have been the carriage driver who drove Abraham Lincoln in secrecy from his hotel in Harrisburg to a waiting train in Lochiel, south of town.  The ruse was part of a plan to get the president-elect safely to Washington in the wake of a plot to assassinate him as he passed through Baltimore.  Cumpton was working as a driver for stagecoach line owner Alexander Calder.
  NPS records show Cumpton's rank in as private, and rank out as sergeant. (Film M589, roll 21)
• Dent, James E. / "Co C 127 Regt. Vol Inf. / Died Apr. 19, 1913"
  Unit: 127th USCT
• Downey, Samuel /'1839 - 1923 / Pvt. Co. D. 24^th Reg. Inf."
  Unit: 24th USCT, Company D
• Edwards, James W. / "Co. A 39 [unreadable] / Born March 1, 1818 / Died Jan 2, 1885 / I have [unreadable] at last"
  Unit: 39th USCT (unconfirmed), Company A
  Notes: Possibly 39th USCT, but not yet confirmed.
• Flowers, Harry R. / "Sargt. Co. F. 2 Regt / Feb. 23, 1846 / July 7, 1928"
  Unit: 2nd USCT
  Notes: Obituary: "Harry Flowers died Saturday at his home in Boiling Springs. He is survived by eight children: Chauncey S., John C., of New York; Rachel H., Theodore W., Gladys C., Mrs. George Conway, of Philadelphia, and Hilda, of Boiling Springs. Two grandchildren also survive him.
  Funeral services will be held at 2:30 at the Wesley A.M.E. Church, this city. The Rev. Rufus Hawkins will officiate. Burial will be in Lincoln Cemetery. (Harrisburg Telegraph, 9 July 1928)
• Gordan, Isaac E. /"1848 GAR 1877 / Co. D. 24^th Reg. U.S. Colored Inf."
  Unit: 24th USCT, Company D
  Notes: NPS records show surname as Gordon; rank in, private; rank out, private. Film no. M589, roll 33.
• Hopkins, Nathan / "P. Co. A, 127, Reg. PA Inf. / Died 1929"
  Unit: 127th USCT, Company A
  Notes: NPS records show company AB; rank in, private; rank out, private; alternate name, Nathaniel Hopkins. Film no. M589, roll 42.
• Johnson, J. W. / "Co. D / 45 Reg U.S.C.T. / Died / June 22, 1909 / Aged / 72 years"
  Unit: 45th U.S.C.T., Company D
  Notes: Age at death indicates he was born circa 1837. Husband of Betty B. Johnson, 1848 - 1910 (stone next to his)
• Jones, Samuel /"Co F 30 Reg. U.S. Colored / Troops / Died July 10, 1880 / Aged 44 Years 2 Months & 3 Days"
  Unit: 30th USCT, Company F
  Notes: Age at death indicates a birthdate of May 7, 1836.
• Jones, William /"Co. D. 32^nd Reg. / U.S. Col. Troops / Died Dec. 30, 1890 / In his 49^th year / GAR / 1861 / 1865"
  Unit: 32nd USCT, Company D
  Notes: Husband of Laura L. Jones, 1850 - 1895 (stone next to his)
• Lee, George J. /"24^th U.S. Colored Vol. / Died March 16, 1898 / Aged / 57 Years 7 Months & 15 / Days"
  Unit: 24th USCT, Company C
  Notes: Born August 1, 1841. NPS records show Company C. Film no. M589, roll 53.
• Lee, William T. / "Co. D. 55 Mass"
  Unit: 55th Massachusetts, Company D
  Notes: Also listed as being in company H. Born May 20, 1840, died 1898.
• Logan, William a.k.a. "Fishback."
  Unit: Undetermined
  Notes: Died 11 May 1887, aged 45. Born circa 1842. News items burial notice:

  Died on the Street.
  William Logan, a colored man, who has been in the employ of Mrs. Espey, Front street, became ill from hemorrhage last evening and died in a few minutes. Deceased was in company with members of Post 520, G.A.R., who were in route from the depot to the rooms of Post 116, Broad street. When near Third and Forster streets Logan took sick and sat down. He died in about ten minutes. Coroner Shindler held an inquest. The remains were taken in charge by Undertaker Neely and will be buried under the indigent soldiers' act. (Harrisburg Daily Independent, 12 May 1887)
  
  DIES ON THE STREET.
  A Veteran Falls Out of Ranks and Bleeds to Death.
  William Logan, alias Fishback, was in the ranks of Stevens Post, G.A.R., last evening when it marched up Third street to the hall of Post 116. At Third and Forster streets he became ill and dropped out of the line. Sitting down on a stoop near by he began to bleed from the mouth and in a short time was dead. Coroner Shindler held an inquest, and the jury rendered a verdict of death from hemorrhage of the lungs. Logan was aged about forty-five years, and was employed by Mrs. Espy, on Front street. His wife lives in Pittsburg. Undertaker Neely took charge of the remains, which will be buried under the indigent soldiers' act. (Harrisburg Telegraph, 12 May 1887)
  
  Burial of a Soldier.
  Wm. Logan, the colored veteran who died several days since, was buried yesterday afternoon at the Lincoln cemetery. The interment was conducted by Post 520, G.A.R. Special services were held in the Mission church, Colder street. (Harrisburg Daily Independent, 16 May 1887)

• Miller, Thomas J. /"Died Oct. 14, 1912 / Aged 69 years / Pr. Co. G. 5 Reg. Mass. Vol."
  Unit: 5th Massachusetts Colored Cavalry, Co. C
  Notes: For more information on Thomas J. Miller, see our page in the Lincoln Cemetery section.
• Montgomery, David /"Co. C. / 24 Regt. / U.S.C.T. Inf. / Died / August 24, 1908 / Aged 65 Years"
  Unit: 24th USCT, Company C (or G)
  Notes: Born circa 1843, according to age at death. NPS records show company G. Film no. M589, roll 61.
• Scott, George R.
  Unit:  54th Massachusetts, Company D
  Notes:  Great grandfather of John Weldon Scott.  NPS records show rank in and out as Private. (Film no. M589, roll 77).  Muster records show that Scott enlisted on March 25, 1863, reporting his residence as Harrisburg and his occupation as laborer.  He reported his age as 20 years old.  Son of George Scott of Harrisburg.
• Sigler, Henry S. / "1848 - 1916 / Prv. Co. C. 22 Reg. / U.S. Colored Inf."
  Unit: 22nd USCT, Company C
  Notes: Husband of Mary E. Sigler, 1851 - 1936 (stone next to his)
• Slaughter, Ephraim / "1846 - 1943"
  Unit: 37th USCI, Company B
  Notes: Escaping from slavery in North Carolina in 1863, Slaughter joined Company B of the 3rd N.C. Colored Infantry, which became the 37th U.S.C.T. infantry regiment. He moved to Harrisburg well after the war and joined the local African American G.A.R., David Stevens Post 520. He died on February 17, 1943. Harrisburg American Legion Post 733 is named in his honor.
• Spotwood, Thomas H. (last name also spelled Spottwood)
  Unit: 127th USCI, Company F
  Notes: Born in Carlisle c1824, died in Harrisburg 31 May 1890. Text of newspaper obituary:

  Death of Thomas H. Spotwood.
  Thomas H. Spotwood, residing at the corner of Margaretta and Calder streets, was one of the best known colored men of this city, and his many acquaintances will regret to learn of his death, which took place at 5:10 this morning. Mr. Spotwood was in his 66th year and was born in Carlisle. He has made Harrisburg his home for 40 years, and for thirty years lived where he died. He was a member of the 127th regiment (colored volunteers of Pennsylvania), and served with distinction in numerous engagements. His war experience was quite extended, and thus he was one of the most entertaining members of David R. Stevens Post, No. 520, which he joined soon after its organization. Everywhere respected for the simplicity of his character, his loss will be keenly felt by all who knew him. He was a devout member of the West Harrisburg A.M.E. Zion church. His wife died seventeen months ago. Three sons and two daughters survive him. Funeral at 2 P.M. Tuesday from West Harrisburg A.M.E. Zion church. Interment at Lincoln cemetery.

  Additional notes: "He enlisted at the stated age of forty-five, mustered into federal service at Harrisburg August 27, 1864, as a private with Co. F, 127th U.S. Colored Troops, and assigned as company cook. Sometime in April 1865, he fell ill from an unspecified illness and ultimately was hospitalized at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, never to return to the regiment. He honorably discharged at term's end August 31, 1865." (Thomas H. Spottwood file, https://www.usct.org/database-archive/). Sources: Harrisbug Telegraph, 31 May 1890; NPS records, Film no. M589, roll 82; United States Colored Troops, Camp William Penn Headquarters, usct.org.
• Stevens, David,
  Unit: 36th United States Colored Infantry, Regimental Chaplain
  Notes: Text of newspaper death notice:

  FUNERAL SERVICES HELD FOR DAVID STEVENS
  Funeral services for David Stevens who died Saturday, were held this afternoon at 2 o'clock at Harris A.M.E. Church. The Rev. R. Nelson, pastor, officiated. Burial was made in Lincoln Cemetery. Members of David R. Stevens Post No. 520, G.A.R. attended and assisted in the burial ceremonies.
  
  "Davy" Stevens, as he was known throughout the city was one of Harrisburg's popular colored citizens. He was a life long resident here. After the Civil War he was employed by the late William T. Hildrup, Sr., who was president of the Harrisburg Car Manufacturing Company. Later he was employed by the C. E. Freisford Company, and subsequently Swift and Company. He was one of the organizers of the local G.A.R. Post for colored veterans.

  Source: The Telegraph (Harrisburg, PA), 05 November 1917.; NPS records, M589, Roll 83, Film number C-51.
• Stocks, James / "1841 - 1923 / Pvt. Co. D, 45^th Reg. / U.S. Vol. Inf."
  Unit: 45th USCT, Company D
  Notes: Not in NPS records.
• White, William /"1841 - 1920 / Corp. Co. 8? Reg. / U.S.C.T."
  Unit: Not positively identified, see notes.
  Notes: NPS records show 72 men named William White who served in USCT regiments.

Page Notes:

Sources

Pennsylvania African Americans in the Civil War -- Main Page  | Lincoln Cemetery History and Listings

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