A SKETCH

OF THE

29th REGIMENT

OF

CONNECTICUT COLORED TROOPS.

BY I. J. Hill,

GIVING

A Full Account of its Formation; of all the Battles through
which it passed, and its final Disbandment.

BALTIMORE:

Printed by Daugherty, Maguire & Co.

1867.

PREFACE.

The author of this has for a long time been greatly concerned forthis land and nation, and for the human family in general, but moreparticularly for the unfortunate African, both in this and every otherpart of the world. I was born in Selings Grove, Union County, Pa., inthe year 1826, the 2nd day of June, and was the youngest son of fourbrothers. My father's name was Isaac, and my mother's, Rachel. Thefamily consisted of thirteen in number. My father being a poor man, Iwas put out to a gentleman of Louisville, Kentucky, at the age of sixyears; I was brought up with a limited education, not being permittedto go to school, for it was against the laws of the State for a whiteperson to teach a colored child; but having kind friends to live withand being beloved by white boys, I gained some information in spelling,and with diligent study I learned to read and write. I never had theopportunity of going to school a day in my life, when it became knownto the citizens that I could not write, I was sent home to Pennsylvaniain the year 1840, then 17 years of age. I embraced religion in the year1846.

I was called to the ministry in the year 1852, in which position Istudied; when the war broke out in 1861, I went out with the 3rdPennsylvania Cavalry, under Col. Emory, I was in the charge at FallsChurch, Va., and Fairfax Court House. When the rumor reached me thatthe Government was enlisting colored men, I then left the Regimentand went home, and in 1863 enlisted in the 29th Connecticut Regiment,January the 7th, 1863.

The author's desire and prayer is, that tranquility, peace andhappiness may cover the earth, as the waters cover the great deep.Forasmuch as there has been a great deal of confusion in relation tomy afflicted nation, and different parties holding opposite opinionshave come forward with a desire to alleviate their condition; theirgood[Pg 4] intentions have taught us: First, that it is necessary to becomechristians, to love and fear God and keep his commandments, to havepatience and faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, then we shallbe delivered in due time. Secondly, the reader is referred to the pagesof this work; please read it impartially and carefully, and you willsee plainly that the author's sole aim is to promote the happiness ofthe human family, here and hereafter; therefore, I pray that those whowill read this book may be forever blessed in this world, and receiveendless happiness in the world to come.

I. J. HILL.

Woodbury, New Jersey, 1866.

[Pg 6]

THE

PRINCIPAL BATTLES

OF THE

TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT,

U. STATES COLORED TROOPS