The Latest Happenings
posted by Joseph Certaine on January 30th, 2012 at 5:44 PM
Here we are in the second year of the Sesquicentennial Observance of the American Civil War. 150 years ago President Abraham Lincoln began to consider how to further destabilize the Confederacy and in doing so, maintain a sense of unity among the Federal States. By the end of 1862 he had drafted and presented The Emancipation Proclamation a document tha in conjunction with the Second Confiscation Act and the Militia Act of July 1862, lead directly to the establsiment of the Bureau of colored Troops less than a year later.
Read More ...
posted by Joseph Certaine on July 3rd, 2011 at 11:49 AM
As we continue with the observance of the Anniversary of the American Civil War during July, it is important that we remember things from our own historic perspective. As we think about Vicksburg, Port Hudson and Gettysburg, it is our responsibility to remember what was happening on our own home front.
Read More ...
posted by Joseph Certaine on May 28th, 2011 at 8:15 PM
I recently received a message from a prominent member of the United States Colored Troops Living History Association, extolling the wrong facts about the first Decoration Day (later Memorial Day). The message reinforces the need to seek primary sources for historical information and to utilize the information of those historians who do.
Read More ...
posted by Joseph Certaine on March 26th, 2011 at 7:25 PM
There twenty months until our celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and a little more than two years until the Sesquicentennial of the authorization of the Bureau of Colored Troops. Let's use the time wisely.
Read More ...
posted by Joseph Certaine on February 16th, 2011 at 3:54 PM
Black Americans who are advocates for historical inclusion in the narrative of American history, seem to have even more reason for being concerned about this commemoration of the American Civil War
Read More ...
posted by Joseph Certaine on January 23rd, 2011 at 3:57 PM
April, 2011 is the beginning of the 150th year since the start of the armed conflict of the American Civil War. Many government agencies are struggling with the cost of any formal observance and commemorative events. Without any real leadership form the Federal government, the states and independent organizations are left to determine how to commemorate an historic national event through the prism of each state's historical involvement.
Read More ...
posted by Joseph Certaine on December 17th, 2010 at 8:45 AM
Ready or not the beginning of the Civil War Sesquicentennial Observance will officially begin in 2011. The reenactors of the regiments of United States Colored Troops must take their places alongside civilian living historians who interpret the history of the Abolitionists and Anti-slavery heroes of the Civil War period. We must be ready to tell our story and educate this and future generations about the real history of our struggle for freedom and dignity. We've got to make it happen.
Read More ...
posted by Joseph Certaine on October 15th, 2010 at 12:38 PM
With the Civil War Sesquicentennial fast approaching, some of us are planning the battle scenarios that will highlight some of the significant engagements of the Union/USCT and the Confederate Armies. Now it is important to begin the all-important task of recruiting the men necessary to put men into the field as reenactors.
Read More ...
posted by Joseph Certaine on October 4th, 2010 at 4:28 PM
Well, we are getting closer to the opening of the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War. As we wrestle with issues related to the size and scope of the observance nationally (and for most of us, locally) we are also cognizant of the dilemma facing historians and those in charge of building the commemoration. "What do we do with those people who keep insisting the war was about slavery?"
Read More ...
posted by Joseph Certaine on September 4th, 2010 at 3:31 PM
2013 will mark the 150th Anniversary of the authorization of the establishment of the Bureau For Colored Troops. This year (2010), will determine how the existing units of USCT reenactors and living historians will carry on the legacy of their Civil War ancestors.
Read More ...
posted by Joseph Certaine on August 17th, 2010 at 11:56 AM
The upcoming Sesquicentennial Observance of the American Civil War presents an opportunity for those of us who are genuinely interested in preserving the proud history and legacy of the United States Colored Troops.
Read More ...
posted by Joseph Certaine on August 6th, 2010 at 11:41 AM
After a prolonged interruption, I have returned to this site with a renewed commitment to build support for the United States Colored Troops of the Union Army, during the American Civil War.
Read More ...
posted by Joseph Certaine on May 19th, 2010 at 12:34 PM
There has been quite a bit of interest about the Johnson Park debacle in Camden County N.J. Suprizingly none of it is from the the USCT contacts I reached out to when the story first broke
Read More ...
posted by Joseph Certaine on May 1st, 2010 at 1:46 PM
Every effort should be made during the Sesquicentennial Observance of the American Civil War to locate, identify and catalog the grave site of every soldier of the United States Colored Troops .
Read More ...
posted by Joseph Certaine on April 7th, 2010 at 8:29 PM
As we draw closer to the start of the sesquicentennial observance of the American Civil War, the age old struggle to combat revisionist history is once again going to manifest itself. The only way to ensure that the United States Colored Troops will receive the honor that they earned during the march to Jubilee, is to remain focused on and steadfast in our effort to grant them the thanks and recognition they deserve.
Read More ...
posted by Joseph Certaine on February 23rd, 2010 at 2:54 PM
The Sesquicentennial Observance of the American Civil War is drawing closer. Although the United States Colored Troops didn't tofficially come into being until 1863 (2013), it is important that planning begin now for USCT battles that will be presented during the Sesquicentennial.
Read More ...
posted by Joseph Certaine on January 25th, 2010 at 3:56 PM
The campaign to have the U.S. Congress recognize the United States Colored Troops, launched on Veterans Day 2009, is begginning to garner attention. Several members of Congress have contacted me to get more details.
Read More ...
posted by Joseph Certaine on December 22nd, 2009 at 11:50 AM
The coming New Year (2010) marks the beginning of the second decade of the twenty-first century. The first five years will include the only opportunity in one hundred fifty years for black Americans to commemorate the first phase of our people's ongoing struggle for human and civil rights in America. That phase of the struggle was fought and won by men who sacrificed all, in order to gain the dignity, respect and equality that is the dream of America.
Read More ...
posted by Joseph Certaine on December 1st, 2009 at 11:34 AM
It's a good thing that the USCT has a couple of more years before the 150th Anniversary of the establishment of the Bureau for Colored Troops.
Read More ...
posted by Joseph Certaine on November 17th, 2009 at 12:57 PM
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has committed to making sure that there is seamless inclusion of activities of PA's African American community during the period of the American Civil War in the upcoming Civil War Sesquicentennial Observance.
Read More ...
More entries...
