Connecticut Men

The 29^th Connecticut Infantry was mustered into Union service March 8^th 1864.

Recruitment for the 29^th Connecticut Infantry, an African American unit, began on August 11^th 1863, and continued through to the end of the year.  Due to a lack of officers they weren’t mustered into Union service until March 8^th 1864.  The former Lieutenant Colonel of the 20^th Connecticut Infantry; Colonel William B Wooster was place in command of the 29^th.  The ladies of New Haven, Connecticut presented the men with a regimental flag just before they left for Annapolis, Maryland.

The men received their Springfield muskets on April 6^th 1864.  Three days later they were assigned to the IV Corps and sent to Hilton Head, South Carolina.  By August the men of the 29^th found themselves in the trenches in front of Petersburg, Virginia.  On September 29^th 1864 they were engaged in the taking of Fort Harrison about seven miles from Richmond.  They were holding the line at Fort Harrison on the afternoon of April 2^nd 1865 when they watched last Confederate dress parade.  The 29^th was among the first Union troops to enter Richmond after the Confederates evacuated the city.

On April 18^th 1865 the 29^th sailed to Point Lockout, Maryland, where they guarded Confederate prisoners of war until May 28^th 1865.  They then sailed  to Brazos de Santiago, Texas on July 3^rd 1865, marching to Brownsville, Texas where they served out their duty until ordered back to Connecticut for mustering out on October 14^th 1865.