UNITED STATES COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN DESCENT WHO SERVED DURING THE CIVIL WAR

MILITARY ORDER OF THE LOYAL LEGION OF THE UNITED STATES

UNITED STATES COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN DESCENT
WHO SERVED DURING THE CIVIL WAR

Currently, it is known that there were at least 120 commissioned officers in the Union Army who were African-Americans. The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS), was founded in 1865 and had as its original members the commissioned officers of the Union Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. There are upwards of 75,000 to 100,000 descendants of these officers today. The MOLLUS is desirous that the service and contribution of African-American Commissioned Officers be recognized particularly beyond what has been simply recorded in regimental and general military histories.

The MOLLUS was organized in 1865 and was composed of officers who served in the Union Army, Navy, or Marine Corps during the Civil War. Today, the MOLLUS is composed of direct male descendants of the age of 18 years or more of a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, Navy or Marines who served during the Civil War, or male descendants of a brother or sister of any such officer (Junior membership - under the age of 18 - also are available). The MOLLUS would be honored to have among its membership, descendants of African-American Union officers. Individuals interested in membership with the MOLLUS should provide and submit the information requested on the membership information request page. Upon presentation of evidence of an ancestor's military service, assistance will be provided to any applicant needing help proving their descent from that ancestor.

Presented below is a list of the known African-American Commissioned Union Officers together with their rank and unit. The list of was compiled by Past Commander-in-Chief, Dr. Robert Girard Carroon and has been edited by Past Commander-in-Chief Douglas Reed Niermeyer. In the event that there have been some officers who have been overlooked, please contact Past Commander-in-Chief Douglas Reed Niermeyer at: momollus@sbcglobal.net. As additional individuals are identified, this list will be updated accordingly. A related resource to the service of United States Colored Troops (USCT) may be found by going to: Index to the Civil War in Missouri Links and Resources .

ALPHABETICAL BY UNIT

Independent Battery, USC Light Artllery (formerly the Kansas US Colored Light Artillery)
Douglas, Capt. H. Ford, Ft. Leavenworth, KS
Matthews, Lt. William D., Ft. Leavenworth, KS

lst Lt. William D. Matthews, the first US African American policeman, who should have been the first African American commissioned officer more than a year earlier, was mustered in with the Independent Battery, Kansas US Colored Light Artillery as 2nd Lt. with the duty of a recruiting officer on July 7, 1864. He was promoted to 1st Lt. on February 27, 1865, the date the unit entered federal active service. When CPT H. Ford Douglas became ill, 1st Lt. Matthews assumed command of the Independent Battery. The combat assignments of the battery is not known. Matthews was mustered out of the service on July 15, 1865. Veteran LT Matthews applied for a pension on October 6, 1891, due to head wounds received during the Civil War in the rebel GEN Price's raid in Missouri in October, 1864. According to US Pension Agency, Topeka, KS, veteran ex-lieutenant Matthews was last paid $12.00 per month on February 4, 1906 due to death.
Source:"BLACK ARMED FORCES OFFICERS 1736-1971" by LTC Jesse J. Johnson U.S. Army retired.
Contributed by Mississippi State University

Minor, Lt. Patrick H., Ft. Leavenworth, KS

1st USCT
Turner, Chaplain Henry M.

4th USCT
Ellis, Surgeon William B., Pt. Lookout, MD
Hunter, Chaplain William H., Baltimore, MD

6th Louisiana Militia
Fleury, Lt. Alphonso, Jr., New Orleans, LA
Gaignard, Lt. Charles
Charles Gaignard (free man of color) was a Lieutenant in the 6th Louisiana Infantry, Company K. He was also a brother-in-law of Lt. Joseph Montieu listed in the 73rd USCT. Both were originally enlisted in the CSA's Native Guards. AKA:NARA Film #M589 Roll 30. He is also listed on Plaque E-149 of the African American Civil War Memorial.
Contributed by Judy Gaignard Vinson

Lessassier, Lt. Valdes, New Orleans, LA

7th Louisiana Militia
Parker, Lt. Joseph, New Orleans, LA

7th USCT
Augusta, Bvt. Lt. Col. & Surgeon Alexander T.

14th USC Heavy Artillery
Welch, Lt. Frank M., New Bern, NC (see also 54th MASS, Moorehead City, NC)

20th USCT
LeVere, Chaplain George W., New York, NY

26th USCT
Randolph, Chaplain Benjamin F., New York, NY

28th USCT
White, Chaplain Garlalnd H., Indianapolis, IN

35th USCT (formerly the First North Carolina Colored Infantry)
DeGrasse, Surgeon John T. , New Bern, NC
Reed, Lieutenant Colonel William N.

Lieutenant Colonel William N. Reed was the highest ranking african american line officer in the U.S Army during the civil war. He was commissioned from civilian life on June 1, 1863, commanded the First North Carolina Colored Infantry Regiment which became the 35th USCT, and died on February 26, 1864 from gunshot wounds received on February 20, 1864 in the Battle of Olustie, Florida.
Source:"BLACK ARMED FORCES OFFICERS 1736-1971" by LTC Jesse J. Johnson U.S. Army retired.
Contributed by Marcus Justice

Singleton, Colonel William H.

Colonel William H. Singleton served during the Civil War. In March 1863, he enlisted in the First North Carolina Colored Infantry Regiment which ws later designated the 35th Regiment, US Colored Troops. In 1862-1863, he recruited a thousand Negro volunteers "...and they appointed me their Colonel and I drilled them with cornstalks for guns." He became a "Colonel" by election of his men and not by official orders. Many commissions were awarded during the Civil War to men who trained volunteers. He was born a slave on August 10, 1835 at New Bern, NC, wrote his experiences in 1922 in "Recollections of Slavery Dayss". In May 1863, after the Emancipation Proclamation, Singleton's ex-slave volunteers, who had drilled with cornstalks, were accepted into the US Army. Singleton was enrolled as First Sergeant of "G" Company 35th US Colored Infantry of North Carolina. His regiment experienced active combat service and occupation duty in South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia. He was wounded in the right leg in the battle of Olustie, Florida, one of the biggest battles during the War. After the War, the unit did guard duty in South Carolina and Singleton was mustered out of the service on June 1, 1866 with his unit.
Source:"BLACK ARMED FORCES OFFICERS 1736-1971" by LTC Jesse J. Johnson U.S. Army retired.
Contributed by Mississippi State University

36th USCT
Stevens, Chaplain David, Portsmouth, VA

38th USCT
Harding, Lt. William, Virginia

39th USCT
Underdue, Chaplain James, Baltimore, MD

54th Massachusetts
Harrison, Chaplain Samuel , Boston, MA
Stephens, 2nd Lt. George E.
Swails, 2nd Lt. Stephen A.
Thompson, 2nd Lt. Albert D.
Vogelsang, Lt. Peter RQM, Boston, MA
Welch, Lt. Frank M., Moorehead City, NC (see also 14th USC Hevy Artillery)

55th Massachusetts
Becker, 2nd Lt. Martin F.
Bowles, Chaplain John L., Boston, MA
Dupree, Lt. William H., Boston, MA
Jackson, Chaplain William
Jones, 2nd Lt. Armstad M.
Michell, 2nd Lt. Charles L.
Shadd, 2nd Lt. Abram W.
Shorter, Lt. John F., Boston, MA
Trotter, Lt. James M. Boston, MA
White, 2nd Lt. Richard W.

58th USCT
Hunter, Capt Willlam H,. Natchez, MS

73rd USCT
Bourgeau. Capt. Alfred, New Orleans, LA
Butler, Lt. Charles, New Orleans, LA
Callioux, Capt. Andre, New Orleans, LA
Carter, Capt. Edward, New Orleans, LA
Converse, Lt. Chester W., New Orleans, LA
Crowder, Lt. John, New Orleans, LA
Davis, Capt. Edgar C., New Orleans, LA
DePass, Capt. John, New Orleans, LA
Detiege, Lt Emile, New Orleans, LA
Dumas, Maj. Francis E., New Orleans, LA
Follin, Capt. Joseph, New Orleans, LA
Ingraham Capt James H., New Orleans, LA
Lan(r)ien, Lt. Louis D., New Orleans, LA
Lavigne, Lt. Victor, New Orleans, LA
Lewis, Capt. Alcide, New Orleans, LA
Lewis, Capt. James, New Orleans, LA
Mallet, Lt. James, Ft. Pike, LA
Miller, Capt Greenleaf B, Covington, KY
Montieu, Lt Joseph L., New Orleans, LA

Joseph Montieu was a brother in law of Lt. Charles Gaignard listed in the 6th Louisiana Infantry, Company K. Both were originally enlisted in the CSA's Native Guards. AKA:NARA Film #M589 Roll 30.
Contributed by Judy Gaignard Vinson

Morris, Lt Morris W., New Orleans, LA
Moss, Lt Ehurd, New Olreans, LA
Nash Lt. E.T., New Orleans, LA
Rapp, Lt. Eugene, New Orleans, LA
Rey, Lt. Henry Louis, New Orleans, LA
Rey, Capt. Henry L., New Orleans, LA
Snaer, Capt. Louis A., New Orleans, LA (see also 96h USCT)
Talmon, Lt. G. W., New Orleans, LA
Wartleid, Lt. Charles, New Orleans, LA

74th USCT
Annis, Lt. Alfred, Jr., New Orleans, LA
Barrett, Capt. Willlam B., New Orleans, LA
Belley, Capt. William, New Orleans, LA
Bertonneau, Capt. Arnold, New Orleans, LA
Carter, Capt. Hannibal, New Orleans, LA
Chase, Capt. Edward P., New Orleans, LA
De Gray, Lt. Louis, New Orleans, LA
Depremond, Lt. Peter 0., New Orleans, LA
Glover, Lt. Calvin B., New Orleans, LA
Hay(e)s, Lt. Solomon, New Orleans, LA
Holland, Capt. John C., New Orleans, LA
Hubeau, Lt. Ernest, New Orleans, LA
Isabelle, Capt. Robert H., New Orleans, LA
Jones, Lt. Joseph, New Orleans, LA
Latting, Lt. John W., New Orleans, LA
Lawrence, Capt. Samuel, New Orleans, LA
Martin, Lt. Theodore P., New Orleans, LA
Morphy, Lt. Ernest, New Orleans, LA
Orillion, Lt. Oscar, New Orleans, LA
Pinchba(e)ck, Capt. P.B.S., New Orleans, LA
Rey, Lt. Octave, New Orleans, LA
Ringgold, Capt. Samuel W., New Orleans, LA
Thompson, Lt. Jasper, New Orleans, LA
Trask, Lt. Frank, New Orleans, LA
Villeverde, Capt. Joseph, New Orleans, LA
Watson, Lt. George F., New Orleans, LA
Wellington, Lt. Joseph , New Orleans, LA
Wilkinson, Capt. Samuel J., New Orleans, LA

75th USCT
Forstall, Capt. Leon G., New Orleans, LA
Gard(i)ner, Capt. Peter A., New Orleans, LA
Gla, Capt. Jacques A., New Orleans, LA
Hardin, Lt. William, New Orleans, LA
Longpre, Lt. Ernest Jr., New Orleans, LA
Petit, Lt. Louis, New Orleans, LA
Ray, Lt. Hypolite, New Orleans, LA
Schermerhorn, Lt. Charles, New Orleans, LA
St. Louis, Lt. Hyppolite, New Orleans, LA
Thibaut, Lt. Louis, New Orleans, LA

78th USCT
Jackson, Chaplain (Lt) William, Port Hudson, LA

91st USCT
Annis, Capt. Charles, New Orleans, LA

96th USCT
Snaer, Capt. & Brevit Maj. Louis A., New Orleans, LA (see also 73rd USCT)

102nd USCT (also known as the 1st Michigan Colored Infantry)
War(r)ing, Chaplain William, Detroit, MI

104th USCT
Delany, Maj. Martin R., Beaufort, SC
Wall, Capt O.S.B., Beaufort, SC

109th USCT
Chaplain Francis A Boyd, Louisville, KY

127th USCT
Powell, Surgeon William, Philadelphia, PA

13Oth USCT
Dupree, Lt. Joseph W. T., Atlanta, GA

Officers whose units have not been Identified:
Abbott, Surgeon Anderson R.
Beldier, Lt. Edwin
Leonard, Chaplain Chauncy B.
Lewis, Lt. Jules P.
Oliver, Capt. Joseph B.

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