After issuing the Emancipation Proclamation in early 1863, President Abraham Lincoln called for the raising of a regiment of Black soldiers for the Union Army.
Mass. Governor John Andrew answered that call by forming one of the first Black regiments in the Civil War — and a dozen of the men who joined the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment were from Galesburg.
State Rep. Dan Swanson, R-Alpha, introduced a House Resolution honoring the contributions of the men from Galesburg who joined the effort. With support from Democrats and Republicans, Swanson presented it Tuesday afternoon on the House floor.
“It is right that we recognize the brave men from Galesburg who joined the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment to bring victory and ultimately the destruction of slavery throughout the country,” said Swanson, a veteran of the Illinois Army National Guard who served in Iraq. “Today we honor these 12 heroes and begin a campaign to recognize in Galesburg their sacrifices, service, and bravery.”
The Galesburg men who served in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment include:
- Sgt. Joseph Barquet
- Cpl. George Williams, who is buried in Galesburg's Hope Cemetery
- Cpl. Samuel Wells
- Pvt. Clay Welcome
- Pvt. Joseph White
- Pvt. Preston Williams
- Pvt. Reuben Caldwell
- Pvt. John Davis
- Pvt. John Dickinson
- Pvt. Hiram Garnet
- Pvt. George Hubbard
- Pvt. Henry Kirk
- Pvt. William Timms
Sgt. Barquet was the most prominent of the soldiers. He was a civil rights advocate who fought for the desegregation of schools and served as chair of the Convention of 1866 after the Civil War. Barquet delivered many speeches for equal rights, especially for Black veterans.
Pvt. Kirk and Pvt. Dickson were wounded and captured during the Second Battle of Fort Wager in South Carolina, and held captive until 1865.
In all, half of the 12 men from Galesburg were wounded or captured during the war, but only one — Pvt. Williams — died while serving in the Union Army.
According to the resolution, the 54th Massachusetts Regiment helped inspire the enlistment of more than 180,000 Black soldiers, which boosted morale and manpower that President Lincoln said was essential to the destruction of slavery.
Several Galesburg community leaders were on hand to hear the proclamation and see it pass, including Ward Four Council Member Dwight White, a Vietnam veteran, and Mayor Peter Schwartzman.
One of the co-sponsors of the House Resolution was State Rep. Norine Hammond, R-Macomb.
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