ST. LOUIS — More than 150 years after an infantry regiment was nearly wiped out, the soldiers were remembered in a ceremony at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery Friday.
Members of the 56th United States Colored Infantry Regiment were just about to muster out, or be released from duty, in 1866. The 56th USCT soldiers were from Arkansas and saw battle with the Union in the Civil War.
Just before they were released, cholera swept through the regiment and killed dozens of men.
The 175 soldiers were denied burial at Jefferson Barracks, so they were buried in a mass grave. In the 1930s, Black community members worked to rectify this wrong. The remains of the soldiers were moved to Jefferson Barracks and a monument to the soldiers was placed in 1939.
In 2014, Sarah Cato, an educator in African-American History, worked to list the names of the soldiers at the monument.
Every year, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War gathers to honor the regiment.
Retired Army Major General Byron Bagby spoke for the 2023 event. Bagby is a descendant of a 56th USCT soldier.
The regiment's monument is located at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery Section 57, Lot 15009.