During the Civil War, African Americans — both enslaved and free — answered the call to preserve the Union, end slavery and fight for their own freedom and dignity. Following the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the war became explicitly about liberation, and nearly 185,000 Black men enlisted in the Union Army as part of the United States Colored Troops (USCT). Many historians believe their service was decisive in securing Union victory.

Yet the records of these soldiers are often incomplete, scattered or missing entirely. Documentation of African-American service is especially limited, making it difficult to trace their stories or honor their sacrifices. The Sgt. Alfred B. Hilton Memorial Foundation — a Harford County-based nonprofit — was recently awarded a grant from the Dresher Foundation to research and identify USCT soldiers with ties to Harford County. To date, the foundation has identified 305 men who served. Of these, 67 (22%) were lost — killed in action, or died from wounds, disease, drowning or imprisonment. Thirty-eight of the fallen have no known burial, likely interred in mass graves with little or no identification. Due to racial prejudice and limited wartime documentation, many African-American soldiers were not properly identified when reinterred in newly established National Cemeteries.

Among the survivors, the foundation has located burial sites for about half. This is due to a lack of headstones — often the result of financial hardship or systemic neglect — and the difficulty of accessing undigitized or fragmented historical records. So far, 49 burials have been confirmed in Harford County, but only 26 have headstones. The cemetery is known, but the exact burial location within it remains uncertain for 23 men.

To restore dignity and visibility to these forgotten heroes, the foundation is undertaking a headstone restoration initiative. Many existing markers require cleaning, repair or replacement. In addition, the foundation has placed small signs beside each USCT grave to ensure these veterans are recognized — especially during Memorial Day and Veterans Day, when many do not receive flags due to the absence of military designations on their headstones.

One of the headstones that needs repair and cleaning belongs to Second Sergeant George W. Barrett at Asbury Cemetery in Churchville. He served in Company A of the 39th U.S. Colored Infantry. His headstone is on the ground, disconnected from its base. There is no designation on his stone identifying him as a veteran of the Civil War. Another headstone at Green Springs United Methodist Church Cemetery, Darlington, is believed to be that of Private Richard J. Turner, of Company F in the 4th U.S. Colored Infantry. The headstone is leaning to the left and requires cleaning before we can fully confirm it is Turner’s.

Research is ongoing, and with increased public awareness, the foundation hopes more burial sites and service records will come to light. Detailed biographies and service summaries for each of the 305 soldiers have been shared with the Historical Society of Harford County and will also be posted on the foundation’s website. Looking ahead, the foundation plans to install signage at each of the 18 Harford County cemeteries where USCT soldiers are buried, listing their names so that all are remembered — whether they have a headstone or not.

The mission of the Sgt. Alfred B. Hilton Memorial Foundation is to preserve his memory, establish a memorial in his honor, educate the public about Harford County’s only native Medal of Honor recipient, and highlight the impact of the nearly 185,000 United States Colored Troops who valiantly fought for the Union during the Civil War

Sue Nappi is a board member of the Sgt. Alfred B. Hilton Memorial Foundation.