Committee for Colored Troops marches on
Published in the Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, issue of The Natchez Democrat
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Committee for Colored Troops memorial marches on
By Robert Pernell
I’m happy to announce the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops
Monument Committee continues to move forward in its effort to erect a monument
– a permanent memorial – that will honor the lives and contributions of the
more than 8,000 U.S. Colored Troops who served at Fort McPherson, right here in
Natchez.
When we began this journey over two years ago, we
announced that in addition to the memorial, we wanted to capture the interest
of the community and assist anyone interested in tracing their roots to see if
they are descendants of the Colored Troops.
As I look back, I can see that our work has generated
interest in Civil War history, African American history, as well as genealogy.
Thanks to our local and regional press coverage, including our social media
platforms, people from Natchez and places throughout the United States are now
supporting our efforts.
That said, I want to take a moment to provide an overview
of what we’ve done so far. Our work includes the following:
* Community input: We held two community meetings through
which we received public input on the memorial. Through the second community
meeting, which was held in 2022, we collected public input for the design of
the memorial. We also asked for input and shared news reports through Facebook
and other social media platforms.
* A great location: The memorial will be located on The
Natchez Bluff, at the corner of Madison and Broadway streets.
* An excellent sculptor/designer: Rolling Forks native
Thomas J. Warren of Warren Sculpture Studios Inc., in Rogue River, Oregon, is
leading the design phase of the project.
* A great design: The memorial will consist, among other
things, of three bronze statues, nine to 10 feet tall, standing on a pedestal.
These figures will include a U.S. Navy sailor who faces the Mississippi River,
an infantryman, and a heavy artillery soldier.
* A cost estimate: The approximate cost for the project
is $1.9 million.
One of the other things we’re excited about is the number
of names that will be recognized. As we noted in press reports, the memorial
will honor and bear the names of more than 8,000 African American men who
served with six regiments at Fort McPherson in Natchez. The list of names will
include those who served in the Navy who were born in Natchez. These names,
which are based on the Muster Rolls of the USCT Regiments stationed at Fort
McPherson, were provided by Dr. Frank Smith and the African American Civil War
Museum, where he serves as founding director.
I also want to comment on an important change we made
earlier this year, and that’s the name of the project. Instead of calling it
the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument, our committee chose the new name, The
Natchez African American Civil War Memorial. This new name, we believe, is more
inclusive. It also better reflects our mission.
Today, we are making a push to raise funds. We need the
community’s help to get this project across the finish line. For this reason,
we’re seeking contributions by businesses, institutions, churches, and
individuals. We’re also submitting grant applications. As I’ve said before,
this is not a one-man show driven by ego; instead, it is a community project,
something that will benefit the City of Natchez and our visitors for
generations to come. Please join us and help us to make this important,
historic dream a proud reality.
For more information, please visit our website at
natchezusctmonument.com. Please share this link with friends and family
members.
———————–
ROBERT PERNELL is the chairman of the Natchez U.S.
Colored Troops Monument Committee.
Monument Committee continues to move forward in its effort to erect a monument
– a permanent memorial – that will honor the lives and contributions of the
more than 8,000 U.S. Colored Troops who served at Fort McPherson, right here in
Natchez.
When we began this journey over two years ago, we
announced that in addition to the memorial, we wanted to capture the interest
of the community and assist anyone interested in tracing their roots to see if
they are descendants of the Colored Troops.
As I look back, I can see that our work has generated
interest in Civil War history, African American history, as well as genealogy.
Thanks to our local and regional press coverage, including our social media
platforms, people from Natchez and places throughout the United States are now
supporting our efforts.
That said, I want to take a moment to provide an overview
of what we’ve done so far. Our work includes the following:
* Community input: We held two community meetings through
which we received public input on the memorial. Through the second community
meeting, which was held in 2022, we collected public input for the design of
the memorial. We also asked for input and shared news reports through Facebook
and other social media platforms.
* A great location: The memorial will be located on The
Natchez Bluff, at the corner of Madison and Broadway streets.
* An excellent sculptor/designer: Rolling Forks native
Thomas J. Warren of Warren Sculpture Studios Inc., in Rogue River, Oregon, is
leading the design phase of the project.
* A great design: The memorial will consist, among other
things, of three bronze statues, nine to 10 feet tall, standing on a pedestal.
These figures will include a U.S. Navy sailor who faces the Mississippi River,
an infantryman, and a heavy artillery soldier.
* A cost estimate: The approximate cost for the project
is $1.9 million.
One of the other things we’re excited about is the number
of names that will be recognized. As we noted in press reports, the memorial
will honor and bear the names of more than 8,000 African American men who
served with six regiments at Fort McPherson in Natchez. The list of names will
include those who served in the Navy who were born in Natchez. These names,
which are based on the Muster Rolls of the USCT Regiments stationed at Fort
McPherson, were provided by Dr. Frank Smith and the African American Civil War
Museum, where he serves as founding director.
I also want to comment on an important change we made
earlier this year, and that’s the name of the project. Instead of calling it
the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument, our committee chose the new name, The
Natchez African American Civil War Memorial. This new name, we believe, is more
inclusive. It also better reflects our mission.
Today, we are making a push to raise funds. We need the
community’s help to get this project across the finish line. For this reason,
we’re seeking contributions by businesses, institutions, churches, and
individuals. We’re also submitting grant applications. As I’ve said before,
this is not a one-man show driven by ego; instead, it is a community project,
something that will benefit the City of Natchez and our visitors for
generations to come. Please join us and help us to make this important,
historic dream a proud reality.
For more information, please visit our website at
natchezusctmonument.com. Please share this link with friends and family
members.
———————–
ROBERT PERNELL is the chairman of the Natchez U.S.
Colored Troops Monument Committee.
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