Although this date precedes the U.S. Civil War (1861–1865), it’s often cited in historical summaries to highlight the eventual scale of Black participation in the conflict. By the end of the Civil War, approximately 185,000 African Americans served in the Union Army, forming 166 all-Black regiments:
145 Infantry
7 Cavalry
12 Heavy Artillery
1 Light Artillery
1 Engineer Regiment
The largest contributions came from:
Louisiana – 24,052 soldiers
Kentucky – 23,703 soldiers
Tennessee – 20,133 soldiers
These men, serving under the banner of the United States Colored Troops (USCT), played a critical role in Union victory and helped to reshape the nation’s view on citizenship, freedom, and equality.
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