The 80th United States Colored Infantry Regiment was an African-American unit of the United States Colored Troops during the American Civil War. It was organized from the 8th Corps d'Afrique Infantry and attached to the Port Hudson garrison in Louisiana. The 80th Colored Infantry Regiment operated throughout Louisiana until 1866, when the troops scouted in Texas until the men mustered out in March 1867. [1]
On February 12, 1863, Cyrus Hamlin was appointed colonel of the yet-to-be organized 80th U.S. Colored Infantry. In the meantime, the Siege of Port Hudson occurred in July 1863, bringing down the fall of the garrison. It was then used to house colored troops commanded by Hamlin. [2]
First called the 80th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry, it was raised on September 1, 1863 and attached to Daniel Ullman's Brigade of the Corps d'Afrique, Department of the Gulf until December 1863. It was then with the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division of the Corp d'Afrique until March 1864, when it was at the garrison at Port Hudson. On April 4, 1864, the regiment was designated the 80th United States Colored Infantry Regiment. [3]
Two white soldiers from Alexandria were arrested after they tried to convince a Corporal of the 80th Colored Infantry to work in their fields. The regimental commander gave "them a good lecture on the altered condition of affairs, and the absurdity of attempting to treat colored soldiers as slaves." [4]
The United States Colored Troops (USCT) were regiments in the United States Army composed primarily of African-American (colored) soldiers, although members of other minority groups also served within the units. They were first recruited during the American Civil War, and by the end of the war in 1865, the 175 USCT regiments constituted about one-tenth of the manpower of the Union Army. About 20% of USCT soldiers died, a rate about 35% higher than that of white Union troops. Despite heavy casualties, many fought with distinction, 16 USCT soldiers receiving the Medal of Honor and numerous others receiving other honors.
Franklin Kitchell Gardner was a Confederate major general in the American Civil War, noted for his service at the Siege of Port Hudson on the Mississippi River. Gardner built extensive fortifications at this important garrison, 16,000 strong at its peak. At the mercy of conflicting orders, he found himself besieged and greatly outnumbered. His achievement at holding out for 47 days and inflicting severe losses on the enemy before surrendering has been praised by military historians.
George Leonard Andrews was an American professor, civil engineer, and soldier. He was a Brigadier General in the Union Army during the American Civil War and was awarded the honorary grade of brevet Major General.
Cyrus Hamlin was an attorney, politician, and a general from Bangor, Maine, who served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
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Henry Demas (1848–1900) was an African American slave who became a constable, state senator, civil rights activist, and Southern University organizer in Louisiana during the Reconstruction era.