Mackenzie Museum and Library

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The Mackenzie Museum and Library is a historic home in Howell Township, New Jersey that belonged to William Prickitt (1839–1929), an officer in the Union Army who led G Company of the 25th United States Colored Infantry Regiment of U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War. [1] [2]

His descendants gifted a photo album that included images of black soldiers with their names written on them. [3]

According to the Library of Congress, the 25th United States Colored Regiment was organized in 1864 at Camp William Penn in La Mott, Pennsylvania. It was tasked with the defence of New Orleans, Louisiana until July 1864. Most of its service was spent in garrison duty at Fort Barrancas and Fort Pickens in Pensacola, Florida. "In the Spring and Summer of 1865 scurvy ran rampant among the troops, killing about 150 men. This regiment never saw combat; it was mustered out December 6, 1865." [4]

About 200,000 black soldiers served in the Union Army. Their commanding officers were white. The soldiers of the 25th were a mix of formerly enslaved and free. Two of the men in Company G were enlisted by their slaveholders who could have earned $300 by enlisting the men. [5]

The photographs were in a 2 inch leather bound album. [6] The photos are tintypes. [7]

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References

  1. "United States Colored Troops During the Civil War". National Museum of African American History and Culture.
  2. Jerry Carino "Howell home owned by Civil War leader of Black soldiers could be saved for just $20K", Asbury Park Press , December 8, 2020. Accessed March 9, 2023. "Capt. William Prickitt wasn’t the inspiration for it, but the longtime Howell resident’s story is nearly as impressive. Prickitt was leading the 25th Regiment of the U.S. Colored Troops in defense of two Florida forts during the Civil War when he fell critically ill with dysentery.... Known as the MacKenzie House after its last citizen-owner, the two-and-a-half story Georgian edifice – a longtime museum destination for school trips and fans of historic homes – has been closed for the past few years because the chimney is deteriorating."
  3. Wills, Matthew (October 4, 2016). "Early Photographs of African American Soldiers at The National Museum of African American History and Culture". JSTOR Daily.
  4. Prickitt, Elizabeth Gilman Warner (January 3, 1864). "Prickitt family album of officers of the 25th United States Colored Troops". www.loc.gov.
  5. "Family Heirloom, National Treasure: Rare Photos Show Black Civil War Soldiers". Jefferson Public Radio. September 21, 2016.
  6. https://www.npr.org/2016/09/21/494734329/family-heirloom-national-treasure-rare-photos-show-black-civil-war-soldiers
  7. "An Album of Faces of the 25th USCT". Military Images. 32 (1): 16–18. 2014. JSTOR   24864311.

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