The Sons of Union Veterans invites the community to a memorial service honoring the legacy of eighteen African American soldiers from the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT), who are interred at St. Stephens Church cemetery in Unionville, MD. The service is scheduled for May 19th, 2024, at 12 PM.
These valiant men, some of whom were former slaves and others free, volunteered to fight for the Union during the Civil War. Their bravery and sacrifices are a vital part of our history, and we aim to honor their contributions through this event.
For additional details about the event or any media inquiries, please contact Dan Cowgill Phone: 302-545-6362 or George Balog at gbalog@hotmail.com
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Thanks for this information, I believe there are numerous other former USCT troops buried in Easton at the cemetery on Bay Street off The Easton Bypass.
I think this is a good opportunnity to point out the not to be forgotten sacrifices made by these men who volunteered to defend the Union and fight for their freedom and civil rights despite the brutality of Confederate soldiers who often refused to allow them to surrender along with white Union soldiers and murdered them because they were black.
Yet when these men returned home after their sacrifices made to defend the Union, they were systematically denied the rights to public education, higher education in public universities, owning businesses, owning property and equal protection under the (Jim Crow) Law. Yet, when Confederte troops returned home after serving the cause that sought to break up the Union and permanently to create slavery in its constitution, those men returned to heroes’ welcomes from their families and friends in political control of Maryland society. They were even given the tribute of a statue on the Easton Court House grounds for their service to that enterprise which the majority in this state never sought to join.
If there was ever a downfall and failure of democracy in Talbot County and the state of Maryland, this was it. These USCT and their families deserve our sincere gratitude.
Agree with your comments. The Unionville 18 worked with my ancestors (Quakers) to create the town of Unionville – with a school and church. I am proud of the legacy, both the men and the Cowgills who didn’t seem to see color like most. Those were absolutely tough times for African Americans. There will be a speaker at the event who studied and wrote about the history of the area and the soldiers / Unionville. I am looking forward to leading the event. We will move into the church for the service if the weather is not agreeable.