29th United States Colored Troops

10/08/2026

This column consists of an exhortation delivered during a Civil War re-enactors’ event, during the Sunday morning service, attended by both union and confederate re-enactors. This is the third year the Manitowoc Historical Society invited Company F, 29th U.S. Colored Infantry, to organize the service, with volunteers from a number of other units present.

This Sunday morning gathering is the only time during a Civil War weekend when men in blue uniforms and grey uniforms, and the ladies who accompany them -- or who put on the uniform themselves -- get together in one room, for what we hope is a common purpose.

It seemed like a good occasion to explore the endless arguments, did Lincoln free the slaves, or not, did the Emancipation Proclamation actually free any slaves, was the war even about slavery? There are "black" and "white" arguments that answer yes or no to any of these questions. Click on the link for the full exhortation, but I can summarize with one line I came up with too late to include: The United States of America did have to win the war. That was part of God's plan. But, it took two years of using the confederate army as an instrument to hone and shape the union army and the federal government before either was an instrument God could really make use of. After all, if George Brinton "We're not here to take your property" McClellan had marched into Richmond in 1862, the union would have been restored status quot ante...

Expanding on the “profound theological content” of Lincoln’s 2nd inaugural address

09/27/2026

Manitowoc Historical Society hosted a Civil War week-end at Pinecrest Village again this year. Company F continues to rely on its emerging younger generations, and for the third year was asked to organize the Sunday morning service for those re-enactors inclined to attend. Bryant is a veteran of many battles now, Autumn made her first appearance, Ben is an experienced captain, Charlie the Chaplain manages to balance having both blue and grey in the service, relying heavily on Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address and some passages from Isaiah. Our younger ones were afforded an opportunity to assist with caring for the wounded. We need some new recruits in their 20s, 30s and 40s, so if you like this page, please consider stepping forward for the next event.

08/16/2026

Company F, 29th US Colored Infantry re-enactment group was invited to to a closing ceremony with flag and banner for the Antique Boat Show at Pewaukee Lake August 15. Following Posting of Colors by Co F, the National Anthem was sung by Pewaukee High school senior Maddie McCormick, Co F Command Sergeant Major Ricky Townsell recited "Toast to the Flag," and following the Pledge of Allegiance, taps was played by David Grace, Milwaukee Festival Brass. A flyover was concluded by the Commemorative Air Force, Crites Field. Our unit historian was not in a good position to cover the ceremony from the front, so a final picture was stage immediately afterward.

07/29/2026

A quick note to our increasing number of viewers: We need you in uniform with the Company F re-enactment group. Especially younger people able to handle a rigorous day on the battlefield, setting up and taking down tents. Also, we'd like to turn out 20-30 people for the next Juneteenth parade, not 8-12. Please check out our web site, or leave a note here to be contacts.

06/19/2026

Milwaukee's Juneteenth parade, one of the oldest outside of Texas, kicked off with Company F, 29th US Colored Infantry leading the way. The 29th was one of several regiments in the US Army's XXV Corps to arrive in Galveston, Texas on June 18, 1865. The sight of deep brown skinned men in US Army uniforms coming off the boat carrying Springfield rifled muskets, probably precipitated the timing of General Gordon Granger's general order beginning enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation. The previous April, the 29th, 116th and 31st US Colored Infantry had been about half of the line of battle which forced Robert E. Lee to seek surrender terms from General Grant.

06/19/2026

And here is the TMJ4 coverage of the Juneteenth flag raising in Shorewood, WI:

The village of Shorewood marked Juneteenth with a community flag raising at Village Hall, where organizers say the goal is to ensure the stories and sacrifices behind the holiday are passed to the next generation.

06/18/2026

As is tradition, Company F, 29th US Colored Infantry re-enactment group, and C.K. Pier Badger Camp #1, Sons of Union Veterans, met at Shorewood (WI) village hall for the annual Juneteenth flag-raising, with village clerk Toya Harrell. June 18 is an appropriate date, because on June 18, the 29th USCI and other USCT regiments came off military transports in Galveston, Texas. The state had remained under confederate occupation for weeks after Robert E. Lee's surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. The sight of several regiments of men with a deep brown complexion wearing US Army uniforms, carrying Springfield rifled muskets, in military formation, caused everyone to do a double take. Slave and slave owners, rich and poor, Anglo or Mexican, nobody knew quite what to make of it. The next day, General Gordon Granger formally announced the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation.

05/25/2026

Company F, 29th US Colored Infantry re-enactment group joined the Sons of Union Veterans for the annual Memorial Day observance at Milwaukee's Calvary Cemetery. Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, Colonel Maria Garcia, currently assigned to the Wisconsin National Guard delivered the keynote address. Next up: Juneteenth. We had some reinforcement for Memorial Day, but we need more for Juneteenth. Then in July, come back to actually shoot some confederates at Civil War Days located at Old Falls Village. (Using blanks -- we want them to show up for the next battle so we can shoot them again.)

04/11/2026

Sometimes the regiments that fought in the Civil War can become a bit of a historical abstraction, but yesterday, I attended the homegoing service of a direct descendant. Betty Lee Bacon, 97 years old, was the great-grand-daughter of Pvt. Edward Matthew Green, Company D, 29th US Colored Infantry. Like the soldiers of Company F, he fought at the Battle of the Crater, was on duty in the line of battle that stared down Robert E. Lee and forced him to surrender at Appomattox Court House, and was shipped out to Galveston, Texas, arriving June 18, 1865.

04/06/2026

We are in the midst of a ten day or so anniversary offering hope and salvation to humanity. I am not referring to Easter, nor Resurrection Sunday; those just happened too, but I'm referring to the fall of Richmond and the final Appommatox Campaign at the close of our Civil War. The glorious consummation is April 9, what I like to call VC Day. No, not Viet Cong, Victory over the Confederacy. At the end of World War II we have VE Day when N**i Germany surrendered, VJ Day when the Empire of Japan surrendered. We need to celebrate VC Day too.

Some years ago I ran across a death certificate for the southern confederacy, "conceived in sin, born in iniquity, nurtured by tyranny, died of a chronic attack of punch." Abraham Lincoln was listed as attending physician, U.S. Grant undertaker, and Jeff Davis, chief mourner.

The certificate has a moving poetic eulogy:

We are in the midst of a ten day or so anniversary offering hope and salvation to humanity.