Friday, August 3, 2012
News Release
The Following is a proclamation signed by the Governor recognizing August 3rd – 5th as First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Weekend.
TO THE PEOPLE OF KANSAS, GREETINGS:
WHEREAS, in August, 1862, United States Senator James Lane began organizing a unit of African American soldiers in Kansas and August 2012 marks the 150th anniversary of the First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry; and
WHEREAS, the First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry was the first recruited in the northern states for service in the Civil War; and
WHEREAS, these soldiers were the first blacks to see battle at Island Mound, Missouri, on October 29, 1862 and the first African Americans to die in action; and
WHEREAS, five months passed before the First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry was accepted into federal service, but this did not deter the unit from training or seeing action, and
WHEREAS, the First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry distinguished itself throughout the Civil War. Most prominent were two battles in the Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma); and
WHEREAS, at Cabin Creek on July 1-2, 1863 blacks fought alongside whites for the first time in turning back Confederate troops; and
WHEREAS, on July 17, 1863 at Honey Springs the First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry had perhaps its best day of the war, fighting alongside white and American Indian troops, and holding the federal center against attack; and
WHEREAS, the First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry was the first African American unit to fight in the war, before the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry; and
WHEREAS, on August 3-5, 2012, the Kansas Fever Committee will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry at Cushinberry Park at 7 p.m. each day:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sam Brownback, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF KANSAS, do hereby proclaim August 3rd – 5th of 2012, as
FIRST KANSAS COLORED VOLUNTEER INFANTRY WEEKEND
in Kansas urge the citizens of Kansas to recognize the contributions of the regiment for its fighting spirit and dedication.
DONE: At the Capitol in Topeka
under the Great Seal of the
State this 16th day of
July, A.D. 2012
BY THE GOVERNOR: Sam Brownback
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