Topics Related to U.S. Colored Troops

William McBryar 1861-1941 (J-108)

Buffalo Soldier & officer. In 1890 awarded Medal of Honor. His long career exemplified struggles of black soldiers of the era. House stood here.

Parker Robbins 1834-1917 (D-112)

Civil War cavalryman. Among highest ranking North Carolinians in the United States Colored Troops. Legislator, 1868-70. Grave 1/2 mile west.

United States Colored Troops (D-111)

Black soldiers & white officers in Union army, 1863-1865. About 500 involved in Wilmington campaign buried here.

Battle of Forks Road (D-27)

Fought, Feb. 20-21, 1865, between U.S. Colored Troops and Confederates. Last engagement before the fall of Wilmington. Earthworks 300 yds. N.E.

First North Carolina Colored Volunteers (C-84)

State’s first regiment of black Union soldiers rallied here on July 24, 1863. In 1864, designated 35th U.S. Colored Troops.

Pea Island Lifesavers (B-66)

Only U.S. Lifesaving Station manned by black crew. Led by Richard Etheridge, 1880-1900. Operated near here.

Wild's Raid (A-93)

First major campaign in N.C. conducted by the U.S. Colored Troops, Dec. 1863. Freed thousands of enslaved in the area.

The Marines of Montford Point

On August 26, 1942, the first African American troops in the United States Marine Corps arrrived at Montford Point at Camp Lejeune.

Parker Robbins, U.S. Colored Troops Officer, Lawmaker and Inventor image from N.C. Museum of History.

On January 1, 1864, Parker Robbins of Bertie County, a free person of color of mixed African and Native American descent, enlisted in the 2nd United States Colored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Monroe, Va.

The Fall of Fort Fisher and the United States Colored Troops

From January 15 to February 22, 1865, Union army and naval forces engaged in the successful effort to capture Fort Fisher and take Wilmington, the South’s last significant blockade running port. Several regiments of United States Colored Troops (USCT) took part, and fought with conspicuous gallantry.