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Follow on Google News | North Carolina Highway Historical Marker Dedication Nov. 9 Honors State's First Black RegimentNorth Carolina's first regiment of African American soldiers was formed in New Bern six months after the Emancipation Proclamation allowed their enlistment in the U.S. Army. A highway historical marker honoring them will be dedicated Nov. 9.
By: North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources A flag based on descriptions of the unit's banner also will be presented. The troops were recruited under the command of James Beecher, half-brother of Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." The recruits cleared land for the camp on the "south bank of the Neuse River just outside of New Bern." Massachusetts Gov. John Andrew and Gen. Edward A. Wild initiated recruitment of the former slaves, and white soldiers from the 54th Massachusetts aided in training the new recruits. Although the top officers were white, company commanders chose promising enlisted men to serve as sergeants and corporals. After training, the regiment joined others in forming Gen. Wild's "African Brigade." During a farewell ceremony at the Green in New Bern in July 1863, the Colored Ladies Association of New Bern presented the regiment a silk flag. The units were soon ordered to Charleston, S.C. The regiment was described as "brave and reliable in battle" and was designated as the 35th U.S. Colored Troops in February 1864. It was deployed to Florida and fought in the Battle of Olustee. One report stated, "No regiment went into action more gallantly or did better execution" than the 35th. That battle represented a defeat for Federal forces but played an important role in changing white attitudes about the capabilities of black troops. Despite heavy losses, the 35th served for the duration of the war. The 35th regiment played an important role in demonstrating the importance of black soldiers for the Union's preservation. U.S. Colored Troops re-enactors will attend the event, along with a descendant of Mary Starkey, leader of the former Colored Ladies Association. The marker program will follow a reception at Tryon Palace (http://www.tryonpalace.org/ For information about the event, call Bernard George at (252) 349-6842. For information about the Highway Marker program, call (919) 807-7290. The Highway Marker program (http://www.ncmarkers.com/ About the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources (NCDCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state's cultural resources to build the social, cultural and economic future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary Susan Kluttz, NCDCR's mission is to enrich lives and communities by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history and libraries in North Carolina that will spark creativity, stimulate learning, preserve the state's history and promote the creative economy. NCDCR was the first state organization in the nation to include all agencies for arts and culture under one umbrella. Through arts efforts led by the N.C. Arts Council, the N.C. Symphony and the N.C. Museum of Art, NCDCR offers the opportunity for enriching arts education for young and old alike and spurring the economic stimulus engine for our state's communities. NCDCR's Divisions of Archives and Records, Historical Resources, State Historic Sites and State History Museums preserve, document and interpret North Carolina's rich cultural heritage to offer experiences of learning and reflection. NCDCR's State Library of North Carolina is the principal library of state government and builds the capacity of all libraries in our state to develop and to offer access to educational resources through traditional and online collections including genealogy and resources for the blind and physically handicapped. NCDCR annually serves more than 19 million people through its 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, the nation's first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the N.C. Arts Council and the State Archives. NCDCR champions our state's creative industry that accounts for more than 300,000 jobs and generates nearly $18.5 billion in revenues. For more information, please call (919) 807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov. End
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