Grade Range: K-12Resource Type(s): Artifacts, Primary SourceDate Posted: 7/31/2008
During the American Civil War, General Benjamin Butler so appreciated the heroic actions of African American soldiers under his command at the 1864 battles of Fort Harrison and Fort Gilmer that he commissioned a special medal for them. Designed by Anthony C. Paquet and realized in silver by Tiffany, the U.S. Colored Troops medal had no official status. After General Butler was relieved of his command in 1865, the 300 U.S. Colored Troops who had received the medals were forbidden to wear them on their uniforms.
African American soldiers were allowed to enlist in the regular peacetime army of the United Stat...
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An emotional Civil War story about two soldiers who become friends.
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