The Last of Our Soldiers
July 23, 1898
Summary
The final African American soldiers from Richmond left to fight.
Transcription
The last of the colored companies of this city have been mustered into services. Co. C left Friday afternoon, 15th instant, for Camp Johnson at Popular Springs. Owing to a recent severe illness Capt. W. S. Cowan failed to pass the medical examination.
Lieut. Benjamin A. Graves was elected to the vacancy. The company left with 105 men. Recruits were brought in from Roanoke, Lynchburg and Frederickburg.
The examination of the Second Battalion is now taking place at Petersburg, Va.
One company reached camp this week. Major J. B. Johnson was to have been mustered in this week. He assumed charge of the camp.
B. F. Turner enlisted as commissary sergeant of Co. C, and George Stephens, Jr., as commissary sergeant of Co. B. Joseph Barnes, the father of Pokey Barnes, enlisted in Co. A.
S. J. Gilpin is second lieutenant of Co. B. He has been appointed acting adjutant of the battalion.
Lieut. Benjamin A. Graves was elected to the vacancy. The company left with 105 men. Recruits were brought in from Roanoke, Lynchburg and Frederickburg.
The examination of the Second Battalion is now taking place at Petersburg, Va.
One company reached camp this week. Major J. B. Johnson was to have been mustered in this week. He assumed charge of the camp.
B. F. Turner enlisted as commissary sergeant of Co. C, and George Stephens, Jr., as commissary sergeant of Co. B. Joseph Barnes, the father of Pokey Barnes, enlisted in Co. A.
S. J. Gilpin is second lieutenant of Co. B. He has been appointed acting adjutant of the battalion.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Right Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Cali Hughes
Citation
“The Last of Our Soldiers,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed January 20, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1455.