WELCOME TO THE WEB PAGE OF COMPANY D, OF THE 38TH REGIMENT OF UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS
The 38th Regiment of United States Colored Troops (U.S.C.T.), Company D, is an reenactment/living history: organization which seeks to accurately portray the life of the black soldiers & civilians during the American Civil War of 1861-1865. We are based in the Richmond & Central Virginia area, & also Northeastern North Carolina. Our unit has been in existance since March, 2001, & our goal is to have no less than 10 active members in the field by March, 2002! We are currently seeking interested men & women who wish to experience a most important part of black history on a first hand basis.
UNIT HISTORY: The 38th U.S.C.T. Regiment was officially mustered into Federal service in Norfolk, Virginia, in January, 1864, composed of freedmen & former slaves from Virginia & North Carolina. The regiment served as part of the 3rd Division, 18th Corps, of the Army of the James. The majority of the members of Company D claimed Richmond City, Henrico, or Chesterfield Counties as their homes.
The Regiment took part in numerous engagements around Richmond & Petersburg, & was part of the forces which occupied Richmond in April, 1865. The regiment remained based in Virginia, until May, 1865, at which time it then became part of the 25th Corps, & was transferred to the Department of Texas. The regiment continued to serve along the Rio Grande, & throughout the eastern coastal area of the Gulf of Mexico. The regiment was officially mustered out of Federal service on 25 January, 1867.
SERVICE RECORD & ENGAGEMENTS 1864-1865
Operations around Petersburg & Richmond
June, 1864 - April, 1865
Duty in trenches North of James River
November, 1864 - April, 1865
Occupation of Richmond 03 April, 1865
Battles of Chaffin's Farm & New Market Heights
29-30 September, 1864
Battle of Deep Bottom 01 October, 1864
Battle of Fair Oaks 27-28 October, 1864
During it's course of service the regiment lost 1 officer & 42 enlisted men killed & mortally wounded; 2 officers & 192 enlisted men to disease; for a total of 237 fatalities.
The regiment also boasts within it's ranks 3 soldiers awarded the Medal of Honor, all decorated for their valorous conduct during the Battle of New Market Heights.It was during the course of this battle that these 3 members of the Regiment were credited in the Official Records as being the first Federal soldiers to enter the Confederate earthworks.
First Sergeant Edward Ratcliff was cited for "conspicuous gallantry in taking command of his unit, when all of it's Officers were either killed or wounded, & unable to continue."
Sergeant James Harris was cited for "conspicuous gallantry in being the first soldier to enter the enemy works, & using his bayonet to prevent an enemy Officer from rallying his troops."
Private William Barnes was cited for "extreme gallantry in the face of enemy fire, continuing to assault the enemy works despite serious wounds, & being one of the first three soldiers to carry the enemy works".
THE PRESENT-DAY UNIT: As members of the modern day 38th U.S.C.T., we are all historians seekiing to preserve a much ignored part of American history. Too often has the part of the gallant Colored Troops been shoved into the forgotten pages of the history books. We seek to bring the lives of these American heroes to the attention of the public,so that their legacy & sacrifices will never be forgotten by future generations.
We are a family oriented organization & we welcome not just soldiers, but also wives, girl friends & children, to portray the civilian life of the period. Our main goal is to educate the public, while at the same time, being able to enjoy what we are doing. We are also concerned with the accuracy of our impressions, so that the public does not get a false impression ... but we do not take our unit standards to the extreme. Reenacting can be an expensive hobby, & it is our desire that all of our members are able to remain in the hobby. We do not expect anyone to purchase all of their clothing & equipment at one time, so a 12 month period is allowed in order to equip one's self. We also have "loaner" equipment for new members until they can be fully equipped. (See Related Following Page)
Though it is expected that all members meet the unit's standards, we still remain well aware that this is a hobby. Unit & individual safety will always be our primary concern, to ensure that everyone remains healthy & safe. All soldiers will undergo controlled training before they are allowed to carry a weapon. Only the officers will be allowed to carry sidearms, & ALL weapons will be inspected prior to, & during the course of events attended by the unit. Civilian members will also be expected to practice safety procedures within the confines of the camp area. When we all work together, we can all go home in one piece on Sunday after the event.
Above all, we want to make many new friends, meet old friends again, & take advantage of one of the fastest growing & most popular hobbies in the world! We are ooking for individuals & families who want to experience a part of Black history ... AS THEY HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE!! There is no better way to learn about history, than to experience it personally, & we can offer you that opportunity!! If you have a strong interest in Black history, or even a desire to learn what life was like in the mid-1800's, then we have a place for you in The 38th Regiment of United
States Colored Troops, Company D.
For information, & to receive a recruiting packet in the Richmond/Central Virginia area, please contact:
First Sergeant Kenneth Brown
(804) 358-5655
brownkl@mail1.vcu.edu
Lieutenant Timothy G. Fredrikson
(804) 672-2726
yankeefred1@webtv.net
For Northeastern North Carolina & The Outer Banks, please contact:
Major Sean O'dea
Chief QM Officer, XVIII Army Corps
damnirishyankee@msn.com
*Please note that this web page will remain "under construction". It will be updated as I have time, or as new items, events, etc ... come into play. If you have any questions,comments, or criticisms, or if you have any information which you would like to have added to this page, please don't hesitate to contact us!!*
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Unidentified Sergeant, 35th U.S.C.T.
Authorized by the Federal Government, the Freedmens' Bureau is seeking out all Brave, True, & Strong-Hearted Men of Color, to throw away their shackles, & don the proud uniform of our National Army. The 38th Regiment, of United States Colored Troops, Company D, needs volunteers to take up arms in the cause of Freedom and Justice!! Join NOW & do your part to end the tyranny of slavery, & bring this Great Nation together once again!!!!