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 During the Civil War, some African American regiments were organized prior to 22 May 1863 when the Bureau of Colored Troops was formed. That Bureau was given the responsibility for recruiting, organizing, and maintaining records for the Colored Troops.
After that date, newly formed African American regiments carried the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) designation and were not part of any state organization.
But what about those regiments previously formed, such as the 2nd Missouri Colored Infantry? With a few exceptions, such as the 54th and 55th Massachusetts Infantry (Colored), those state organized regiments were redesignated or renamed as USCT regiments. For example, the 2nd Missouri Colored Infantry became the 65th Regiment, U.S. Colored Infantry.
The end result of redesignations is that a soldier may have enlisted in a regiment that went through two or more redesignations. It is important for the researcher to know each of the redesignations and when they occurred, especially when dealing with two references for a soldier with the same name, but in different regiments. Do they refer to two different soliders, or to one soldier whose regiment was redesignated?
Several sources provide information about redesignations, but at times, they provide different information—or even totally conflicting information.
To assist the researcher, Special Collections staff have created a reference chart that brings together information regarding USCT regiment organization and redesignations. When using the chart, keep in mind the following:
- Each prior designation is cross-referenced to its final designation.
- Only the final designation lists the information about the regiment's organization and any later redesignations.
- Source and page notations that support each entry indicate where the information was found.
- Entries form a time line of the naming and renaming of regiments.
- Chart does not seek to resolve conflicting information. That is left to the researcher.
Guide to U.S. Colored Troops Regimental Designations
Introduction • Artillery •
Cavalry • Infantry |
