FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Franklin County Visitors Bureau
717-709-7204
Mercersburg Showcases Muster Rolls of U.S. Colored Troops from the Civil War
Two U.S. Colored Troops muster rolls from the Civil War will be showcased as part of Mercersburg’s Live & Learn Weekend on November 7. The U.S. Colored Troops were African American soldiers who volunteered to serve in the U.S. armed forces beginning in 1863. Pennsylvania mustered more USCT troops (8,000 men) than any other state, including Massachusetts, a state most strongly identified with the USCT. Among the many names of Pennsylvania volunteers, two Mercersburg men are listed on the documents to be displayed: John Christy of 45th USCT Co. H, and Robert Stoner of the 22 USCT Co. H.
The Pennsylvania State Archives maintains 97 original muster out rolls of these men, representing the 3rd, 6th, 8th, 22nd, 25th, 41st, 43rd, 45th, and 127th USCT regiments that were raised in the Commonwealth during the Civil War. The “muster out” rolls are the official government records created about these men at the point of discharge from service. They hold valuable information about what happened to each soldier during the War, whether they were honorably discharged, died, or wounded. Time has taken its toll on the original documents over the course of the last 145 years. Many are dirty, torn, and in pieces. The State Archives is working to clean and repair these important records and is planning to scan the documents for public access on its website. Each roll measures roughly 31 by 35 inches and costs around $500 each to conserve. Donations to the project can be made via the Pennsylvania Heritage Society. For more information, contact Linda Ries at lries@state.pa.us or call her at 717-787-3023.
The muster rolls will be on display for participants in Mercersburg’s Live & Learn Weekend taking place November 6-7. To register for the Weekend and to find out more about the U.S. Colored troops, the Underground Railroad and more, contact the Franklin County Visitors Bureau at (866)646-8060, (717)709-7204, or visit www.ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com .
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