The unknown civilian of Culp's Hill

[gary]

Here's something that caught me by surprise. I found it on page 134 of Richard Baumgartner's book, "Buckeye Blood: Ohio at Gettysburg." Most of us have heard about civilian John Burns who walked up to the Iron Brigade and asked to fight in their ranks. Burns was a veteran of earlier wars and age did not diminish his fighting spirit. Injured several times, he was hailed as the Hero of Gettysburg. This however is about another civilian who joins the Yankees in fighting the Confederates at Gettysburg. He is unknown to us today but was seen by 5th Ohio Sergeant Peter A. Cozine who was fighting atop of Culp's Hill:

"On the left of our regiment an American citizen of African descent had taken position, and with a gun and a cartridge box, which he took from one of our dead men, was more than piling hot lead into the Graybacks. His coolness and bravery was noticed and commented upon by all who saw him. If the negro regiments fight lik ehe did, I don't wonder that the Rebs and Copperheads hate them so."

Whoever he is, his name is lost in history-unless one of you'uns is smarter that I (which is probably common anyhow) and knows more about him? Anybody? I double-dog dare you to reveal his name.

[johan_steele]

Another interesting bit gary. I'd not heard this one.

[ole]

A double-dog dare? Guess I'll have to lick that flagpole.

[samgrant]

From assorted readings, I see that the Confederates took several 'colored' local civiliams and marched them to God knows where. I suppose this unknown fellow had good reason to pitch into it.

(Born at the Battlefield of Gettysburg: An African-American Family Saga , The War Was You and Me: Civilians in the American Civil War, The Gettysburg Campaign: A Study in Command, Gettysburg: A Testing of Courage, The Colors of Courage: Gettysburg's Hidden History, Witness to Gettysburg, When the Smoke Cleared at Gettysburg: The Tragic Aftermath of the Bloodiest Battle of the Civil War)

It astounds me that these people would carry off these free black civilains, as so many cattle, to be sold into slavery. I guess the mentality was that it was the equivalent of the North's refusing to return escaped slaves. ???

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[ole]

There wasn't a whole bunch of fun for the black guy or gal then, Sam. Even the free ones got incidentally snatched, now and then. Not a good idea to be living anywhere near the borders. Shoot! (Euphemism), Even in New England, the freedman could get himself confiscated. It was not everyday and always, but it did happen. Regrettably, more than once or twice. It was, and is, an egregious sin to be someone of color.

ole