Welcome to the 135th United States Colored Troop website. 

  A look at the 135th USCT:

     The inspiration of telling the story of the 135th United States Colored Troop came from years of research and studying the Pension Records, of the Veterans of the 135th USCT. The Regiment was formed in Goldsboro, North Carolina, on March 27th, 1865, from men, who previously served in the Pioneer Corps, and were part of General William T. Sherman’s Army.
     Prior to their taking the oath of service in Goldsboro, they had been recruited into the Pioneer Corp during Sherman’s march through Georgia and the Carolina’s. Once they were formed into the 135th USCT, they were commanded by Colonel John E. Gurley, who served as commander of the 135th USCT, until the end of the war. 
     The Pioneer Corps worked tirelessly, through the winter of 1864 and spring of 1865, to move General Sherman’s Army, corduroyed roads, to get them through the swamps and building bridges, to cross the rivers of Georgia and South and North Carolina. They had to work day and night to make sure that the, over 2,500 wagons and the 60,000-man Army of General Sherman were able to rapidly advance in an effort to help bring the Civil War to an end.
     Once enlisted at Goldsboro, the men of the 135th USCT, were given their United States Army Blue Uniforms, with the famous brass buttons. Their jackets with the brass buttons had the freedom eagle on the face. We find from the pension records, the men of the 135th USCT, were extremely proud of the fact that they were their families original freedom seeker, and that they were privileged to serve their country.
       Upon leaving Goldsboro the 135th USCT marched as part of General Sherman’s Army, (leaving their picks and shovels behind), and marched to Raleigh, NC and then up to Petersburg, VA, Richmond, VA and continued up to Fredericksburg, VA and To Alexandria, VA.
       We discovered that one of their proudest moments was when the 135th United States Colored Troop Regiment, marched with General William T. Sherman’s Army, in the Grand Review at Washington DC, on May 24th, 1865. They tell the story in their pension records that they not only marched in the Grand review but marched passed the President of the United States under their own Regimental Flag.
       Following a brief time in Washington, DC, and performing Guard Duty at Fort Kearney, in the defense of Washington, the 135th USCT was transported by train and then by boat to Louisville Kentucky. Here at Louisville they performed more guard duty until they were mustered out of service on October 23rd, 1865.
       We have found numerous descendants of the men of the 135th United States Colored Troop who have shown great interest in their ancestor soldier. We look to telling their stories in hopes of educating and finding more descendants.

 


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Wayne County Museum Black History Exhibit 2021

The Wayne County History Museum had the pleasure of interviewing Deborah Jones for our 2021 Black History Exhibit, “Fighting for Freedom: the 135th USCT, Black Soldiers of the Civil War”. The exhibit explored one of the United States Colored Troop infantry divisions that was organized in Goldsboro, North Carolina on March 27, 1865. In this interview with Deborah Jones, a 135th descendant, she talks about her ancestor and how she learned about him and his service in the 135th USCT. Enjoy this wonderful interview! Thank you to Deborah Jones for making this interview possible. Click here for that interview.

 

Jennifer interviewed Elizabeth Meggett for the 2021 Black History Exhibit, “Fighting for Freedom: the 135th USCT, Black Soldiers of the Civil War”.  In this interview with Elizabeth Meggett, a 135th descendant, she talks about her great grandfather and the history she was told growing up about his life and his service in the 135th USCT. Enjoy this wonderful interview! Thank you to Elizabeth Meggett for making this interview possible. Click here for that interview.

 

The filming of the 135th USCT reenactment soldiers by the 135th USCT Research Team for the 2021 Black History exhibit, “Fighting for Freedom: the 135th USCT, Black Soldiers of the Civil War”.  Enjoy this wonderful reenactment! Thank you to the 135th USCT Research Team for making this reenactment possible. Click here for that interview.

 

There was a filming of the 135th USCT Widows reenactment by the 135th USCT Research Team for the Museums 2021 Black History exhibit, “Fighting for Freedom: the 135th USCT, Black Soldiers of the Civil War”.  Enjoy this wonderful reenactment! Thank you to the 135th USCT Research Team for making this reenactment possible. Click here for the filming.

 

 

Our First Book: 

WHERE EAGLES COME FROM

 

View the Solomon Gardner Pop-up museum video.©

See also Black Civil War Soldiers

 

 

Visit the African American Civil War Museum in Washington DC.

 

This day in History.

 

Please also like our 135th USCT facebook page. 135th USCT Facebook

                          

     

Wayne Community College Presentation, Black History Month, February 16, 2023

Make the most of your visit by experiencing the wonderful shopping, dining and creative culture that Downtown Goldsboro has to offer. Learn more:  www.visitgoldsboronc.com  also  www.downtowngoldsboro.com

The 135th USCT Research Team, Inc. Sponsored the Living History Week in Goldsboro, NC the 6th through the 9th of April 2018.  The event Honored the 135th United States Colored Troop of 1865 that served honorably in General W.T. Sherman’s forces in the United States Army.

We thank the supporters of the 135th USCT:

We would also like to thank our Sponsors as they have helped make this important event happen.

Goldsboro, Wayne County Travel and Tourism                   

 

Thanks for the support of the NCCFCU

City of Goldsboro, NC

 

Deacon Jones Ford, Kia, Honda and Nissan – https://www.deaconjonesfordlm.com/

https://www.deaconjoneskia.com/  – https://www.deaconjoneshonda.com/ – https://www.deaconjonesnissan.com/

Goldsboro NC Housing Authority                    

 

 Accucopy of Goldsboro – printing services

 

David & Emily Weil

 

 

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