Photos: POP
The People’s Organization For Progress (POP) participated in a public ceremony honoring African American soldiers that fought in the Civil War on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11th in Washington DC.
It was held at the African American Civil War Memorial, a monument to Black Civil War soldiers, and was sponsored by the African American Civil War Memorial Museum. The highlight of the program was the reading of the names of Black soldiers that fought in the Civil War.
“African American soldiers played a crucial role in the Civil War. They were instrumental in turning the tide of the war and bringing about the victory of the Union over the Confederacy,” Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress stated.
“This critical role that Black soldiers played in the civil war is generally not well known throughout our society. They deserved to be honored. When I heard that this ceremony was going to be held I felt it was important for POP to be represented and pay tribute to them,” Hamm said.
The ceremony which took place in front of the monument included a number of speakers. Among them was Dr Frank Smith, founder and director of the museum; Kevin Green, the great-great-grandson of Frederick Douglass; and Ernestine Wyatt, great-great-great-grand niece of Harriet Tubman.
Douglass was an escaped slave who fought for the abolition of slavery during the 19th century. He was an orator, writer, editor, publisher, and organizer for the anti-slavery movement. Douglass was the founder of The North Star, an abolitionist newspaper.
He recruited Black troops for the Union Army and two of his sons fought in the Civil War. He was a statesman who held government posts after the war.
Harriet Tubman was an escaped slave was who was an abolitionist, suffragist, and humanitarian. She was a conductor on the Underground Railroad who led many runaway slaves to freedom.
Tubman served the Union Army as a scout, spy, cook, and nurse. She lead the Combahee River Raid, an armed expedition that led to the liberation of hundreds of slaves. Tubman was the first woman to lead troops into combat.
The reading of the names of the soldiers took place after the speakers. There were multiple lists containing approximately 209, 145 names. The lists were organized by state.
The lists were distributed to those who were willing to read. Approximately 100 people participated in the reading of the names. Hamm read about four hundred names.
“I was glad to participate in the reading of the names of those soldiers. I felt spiritually compelled do so. Through their efforts and sacrifice chattel slavery was abolished in the United States. This was the least I could do to honor them,” Hamm said.
“This was a wonderful ceremony. In addition, to the national ceremony in Washington I think we should have similar events at the state and local levels. POP will incorporate the reading of the names into our civil war event next year,” he said.
The Civil War began April 12, 1861 when Confederate troops fired on Union soldiers at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. It ended on April, 9, 1865 when General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia.
During the war tens of thousands of Black soldiers were wounded and more than 40,000 were killed.
“Ironically, while they were fighting against the Confederacy to end slavery they also had to fight against racial discrimination, inequality and injustice within the Union ranks,” he said.
Black soldiers had a significantly higher death rate than white soldiers. They received lower pay than whites. They were given inferior weapons, and endured worse conditions.
“And if that wasn’t enough many times Black Union soldiers couldn’t be buried in the same cemeteries as white Union soldiers because of racial segregation from the cradle to the grave,” Hamm said.
He said despite all of this they fought bravely and distinguished themselves on the battlefield when called upon to do so. Twenty-Six African Americans received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
For more information contact the People’s Organization For Progress call (973)801-0001 or contact the African American Civil War Memorial Museum (202) 667-2667 or afroamcivilwar.org.
