History Daily The Battle of New Market Heights
8 snips
Sep 29, 2025 On September 29, 1864, during the Civil War, 14 African American soldiers displayed extraordinary bravery at the Battle of New Market Heights. Powhatan Beattie emerges as a key figure, heroically recovering his unit's flag under fire. The podcast delves into the early formation of Black military units, including the Cincinnati Black Brigade and the 54th Massachusetts, which challenged perceptions of Black soldiers. The awarding of Medals of Honor highlights their valor and lasting legacy in American history.
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Cincinnati Black Brigade Origin
- Powhatan Beattie was forced at gunpoint to dig defenses in Cincinnati before volunteering with 700 Black men as the Cincinnati Black Brigade.
- That unit became the first organized African-American military force used in the Civil War.
George Washington's Missouri Skirmish
- George Washington escaped slavery and joined the Kansas-colored volunteers to fight Confederate bushwhackers in Missouri.
- His unit faced a mounted ambush but repelled it, proving Black soldiers' combat effectiveness.
Black Troops Shifted The War's Balance
- The combat performance of early Black regiments convinced Lincoln to accept Black troops into the Federal Army.
- That integration added over 180,000 Black soldiers and shifted manpower advantage toward the Union.
