WHEREAS, the impact of the United States Colored Troops on the State of North Carolina is important to our understanding of North Carolina’s history and culture; and
WHEREAS, before the establishment of the National Bureau of Colored Troops, freedmen in New Bern, North Carolina formed their own militia and later became the base for Colonel Edward A. Wild’s proposed African Brigade First Regiment of North Carolina Colored Volunteers; and
WHEREAS, on January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the final Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all enslaved people in the rebellious states would be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and
WHEREAS, in addition to freeing enslaved people held in Confederate states, the Emancipation Proclamation allowed the participation of Black soldiers in the war; and
WHEREAS, many free and enslaved African Americans sought refuge within Union-occupied territory in northeastern North Carolina, providing valuable services as spies, pilots, messengers, guides and laborers, and served in the United States Navy and as recruits for the United States Colored Troops units; and
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Colored Troops was established by the United States War Department on May 22, 1863; approximately 6,000 United States Colored Troops from North Carolina served in the Civil War, including soldiers in the 35th U.S. Colored Infantry, the 36th U.S. Colored Infantry, the 37th U.S. Colored Infantry, and the 14th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery; and
WHEREAS, at the Cameron Art Museum, North Carolina artist Stephen Hayes commemorates these men through a sculpture named “Boundless,” a life-size work of art that will inspire generations to come; and
WHEREAS, we commemorate the boundless courage, strength, and resilience of these soldiers who fought for the abolishment of slavery and a better tomorrow;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim November 13, 2021, as “UNITED STATES COLORED TROOP REMEMBERANCE DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.