The number of monuments dedicated to United States Colored Troops (USCT) grew by one this week when a new monument was erected in Ferncliff Cemetery in Springfield, Ohio. The monument was supposed to be dedicated this weekend, but its formal unveiling will be held at a later, and hopefully safer, date. The monument lists the names of the 139 African American men buried in the cemetery who fought in the Union ranks.
According to the Springfield News & Sun:
The monument stands 5½ feet tall, weighs nearly 8,000 pounds and is made of Blue Ridge Granite. It contains each veteran’s name, the regiment, company and unit he served in.
A tablet on the top explains the monument’s significance. There are several other historical connections.
At least two of the soldiers served in the regiment famously depicted in the Oscar-winning film “Glory.” Several others, including Samuel Bryant, were at the Confederate surrenders in April 1865 that ended the war, which is acknowledged on the monument.
Another is Addison White, a runway slave who came to Mechanicsburg and later served in the Army. The Gammon House has artifacts of White’s life.
“Can you imagine the stories of the guys resting out here,” Henry said.
Charles Gammon, one of the sons of the Gammon family that owned the historic Springfield property, also died in the Civil War, although he is buried in South Carolina….
“These men fought in the war that changed our country. They deserve this,” Henry said. “This is another community treasure.”
On Sept. 19, the Gammon House will dedicate a plaque from the national Underground Railroad organization, tying into the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation on Sept. 22.
For more information on the Gammon House, go to gammonhouseoh.org. To volunteer to help with headstone cleaning, contact Henry at 937-244-2754.
I’m an African-American Journalist in St. Paul, Mn. I make documentaries and my next one is “The Fight for Freedom;Black Union Soldiers in the Civil War.” I will be coming to the Dayton area to interview Bennie McRae Jr. We don’t have a set date because of the Pandemic. If you let us film the ceremony we’ll come there!