Info on Thomas Morris Chester?

[JeffBrooks]

Does anyone happen to know where one might find more information about the black newspaper correspondent Thomas Morris Chester, who wrote for the The Philadelphia Press in 1864 and 1865? He seems like an interesting character and I'd like to know more about him.

 

[luinrina]

There's a Wikipedia entry on him. It's a good starting point as there are sources and (sometimes) further readings suggested. There's a book on him and his correspondence from the Virginia front.

And here's an article about him: https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/08/a-black-correspondent-at-the-front/

 

[Deleted User CS]

Jeff. Check with the Historical Society of Dauphin County as well as the Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Both of these research facilities have a plethora of information on Thomas Morris Chester. David.

 

[luinrina]

I just stumbled over this little passage:

Thomas Morris Chester, a black reporter for the Philadelphia Press, filed an October 5 dispatch from 'a mere 5 1/2 miles from Richmond.' In it, he declared that Paine's division 'had covered itself with glory, and wiped out effectively the imputation against the fighting qualities of colored troops.' He amplified his conviction two weeks later: 'One thing is certain, that the colored troops who compose this division…convinced the most skeptical that Negroes will not only fight, but do it desperately….'​

Source: Battle of New Market Heights: USCT Soldiers Proved Their Heroism