“Emancipation Day in South Carolina” – the Color-Sergeant of the 1st South Carolina (Colored) addressing the regiment, after having been presented with the Stars and Stripes, at Smith’s plantation, Port Royal, January 1. Original image in the collection of the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/99614128/
I thought this news clip would prove interesting to note in this 150th anniversary year of the Emancipation Proclamation and the formal acceptance of armed Black soldiers in the United States Army. However, there were already regiments composed of men of African descent serving such as the 1st South Carolina Infantry (African Descent).
The clip can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH8EQy9E9aM
Interpretive Challenges 