The 20th United States Colored Infantry was an
infantry regiment that served in the
Union Army during the
American Civil War. The regiment was composed of
African American enlisted men commanded by white officers and was authorized by the
Bureau of Colored Troops
The Bureau of Colored Troops was created by the United States War Department on May 22, 1863, under General Order No. 143, during the American Civil War, Civil War, to handle "all matters relating to the organization of colored troops." Major Char ...
which was created by the
United States War Department on May 22, 1863.
Service
The 20th U.S. Colored Infantry was organized at
Rikers Island
Rikers Island is a island in the East River between Queens and the Bronx that contains New York City's main jail complex. Named after Abraham Rycken, who took possession of the island in 1664, the island was originally under in size, but has ...
,
New York
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* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
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Film and television
* '' ...
February 9, 1864 for three-year service and mustered under the command of
Colonel Nelson B. Bartrum.
The regiment was attached to
Department of the East to March 1864. Defenses of New Orleans, Louisiana,
Department of the Gulf, to December 1864. District of West Florida and Southern Alabama, Department of the Gulf, to February 1865. Defenses of New Orleans to June 1865. District of La Fourche, Department of the Gulf, to October 1865.
The 20th U.S. Colored Infantry mustered out of service October 7, 1865.
Detailed service
Ordered to the Department of the Gulf March 1864, arriving at New Orleans March 20. Moved to Port Hudson, La., March 21 and to Pass Cavallo, Texas, April 21. In District of Carrollton, La., June. At Plaquemine July. At Camp Parapet and Chalmette August, 1864. At Camp Parapet and in District of Carrollton until December. Ordered to West Pascagoula, Fla., December 26. Return to New Orleans February 1865, and duty there until June. At Nashville, Tenn., August.
Casualties
The regiment lost a total of 285 men during service; 2 officers and 283 enlisted men died of disease.
Commanders
* Colonel Nelson B. Bartrum
See also
*
List of United States Colored Troops Civil War Units
*
United States Colored Troops
The United States Colored Troops (USCT) were regiments in the United States Army composed primarily of African-American (colored) soldiers, although members of other minority groups also served within the units. They were first recruited during ...
References
* Dyer, Frederick H. ''A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion'' (Des Moines, IA: Dyer Pub. Co.), 1908.
;Attribution
*
{{Maryland in the Civil War
United States Colored Troops Civil War units and formations
Military units and formations established in 1864
Military units and formations disestablished in 1865