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Black soldier answered Lincoln’s Civil War invite By Terri Wilson President • Avon Historical Society
IN HONOR OF Black History Month, allow me to introduce you to an Avon resident who, as a common man, took an uncommon role in our American Civil War. Pvt. Leverett Holden was one of over 900 African-American men in Connecticut who answered the call of President Abraham Lincoln and joined the Connecticut 29th Regiment Volunteer Infantry (Colored). He was a resident of Avon at the time of his enlistment and returned to live out his life here. The Civil War ran from April 1861 to April 1865. Fresh Union troops were always needed, but most in Congress were reluctant to enlist African-American soldiers. Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. Congress finally approved it in 1864. By then, Connecticut had about 40,000 white men serving in 28 regiments. The Connecticut 29th and a smaller 30th Black regiment formed in December 1863 and departed from New Haven in January 1864 after hearing a rousing speech by famed abolitionist (and escaped slave) Frederick Douglass, who encouraged them by saying, “You are the pioneers of the liberty of your race.” The 29th took an active role in many Civil War battles, mostly in the South. They mustered out in October 1865 from Brownsville, Texas, and were honorably discharged in New continued on page 16
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FEBRUARY 2021 – www.TodayPublishing.net – TODAY MAGAZINE
Union headstone of Pvt. Leverett Holden East Avon Cemetery, Avon