Black History Month in February provides the opportunity to recall events that connected Black Americans to flags. One story is horrible; the other, inspiring. LYNCHING After the end of the Civil War Flags and the emancipation of slaves, many angry Southerners avenged their defeat by persecuting Blacks, denying their rights and lynching them for supposed… continue
On March 5, 1864, eight months after Northern victories in Gettysburg and Vicksburg, members of the newly-formed Twentieth United States Colored Troops assembled in New York City for a send-off ceremony that featured flags and ovations from tens of thousands of white people. The New York Times described the ceremony as “a thousand men, with… continue
Whether it was in battles at Antietam or Vicksburg, Gettysburg or Shiloh, flag-bearers were a main target of enemy fire during the Civil War. Killing one of them spread confusion and panic in troops because they had lost their guide into battle – and their route to retreat. February, Black History Month, is good time… continue
The week that marks the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. and the upcoming observance of Black History Month in February are appropriate times to recall the heroism of Sgt. William H. Carney, a remarkable protector of the U.S. flag during the Civil War. Born into slavery in Virginia, Carney grew up to travel the… continue