African American Civil War Veterans organize in York
I will be presenting at the February meeting of the York Civil War Round Table. The title of my talk is: Examining a Unique African American G.A.R. Post as the Grand Army of the Republic Celebrates 150 Years. The York Civil War Round Table is free to attend. The Wednesday February 17, 2016, meeting begins at 7:00 PM and is held at the York County Heritage Trust, 250 East Market Street, York, PA. If you are reading this on the Ydr.com site, click on this LINK for a Full View of the illustrations in this post on the original YorkBlog site; since the ydr.com site will occasionally cut off important details in the cropping of illustrations.
The Grand Army of the Republic became the most successful of the various veteran organizations, which formed following for Civil War. During 2016, the G.A.R. celebrates 150-years since it was founded on April 6, 1866. The G.A.R. became a powerful political force. They were responsible for officially establishing May 30th as Decoration Day (now Memorial Day) and in lobbying Congress to establish regular veterans’ pensions. Learn more about this nationwide veterans organization through the examination of a unique African American G.A.R. Post; the David E. Small Post, No. 369, from York, Pennsylvania.
York County had 13 G.A.R. posts. The oldest post was the General John Sedgwick Post, No. 37, in York and the youngest post was the General Sherman Post, No. 602, in Felton. Two of the York County posts were comprised of African American Veterans; the David E. Small Post, No. 369, in York, and the Major James McConkey Post, No. 412, in Peach Bottom.
I authored the article “After Civil War, Veterans Organize in York County; Black Veterans and the David E. Small Post, No. 369, G.A.R.;” published by the York County Heritage Trust in the 2015 Journal of York County Heritage; pages 14-33. This York Civil War Round Table presentation will draw upon that article plus provide further research and additional details.
Related posts include:
- Civil War Veterans organize throughout York County
- York Hosts son of John Brown from Harper’s Ferry fame
- Civil War veteran Rev. John H. Hector
- DC Cherry Blossoms and Civil War Graves
- Battle Flag for York African American Civil War Soldiers
