Black soldiers honored for helping to save the Union
As part of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry and just short of his 18th birthday, Thomas Edward Platner fought bravely in Florida and South Carolina during the Civil War.
He survived combat in Charleston, where 256 other soldiers found their end. After the war, the unmarried former laborer found roots in Rochester, served as one of Frederick Douglass' pallbearers and was instrumental in erecting a monument in Rochester to the civil rights pioneer.
Little else is known about Platner, who is buried in Riverside Cemetery, because extensive history was not often kept about African-American soldiers who lived and died in the Civil War era.
But local residents don't want the soldiers' accomplishments to fade away.
The Monroe County Freedom Trail Commission on Saturday held its sixth annual "On behalf of Those Who Lie in Yonder Hallowed Ground" event to celebrate the African-American soldiers who fought to help secure the Union Army's victory.
The ceremonies honored the 200,000 African-Americans overall who fought, including at least 14 local men buried at Riverside Cemetery, 2650 Lake Ave. and Mt. Hope Cemetery, 1133 Mt. Hope Ave.
Students from the Dr. Douglas Smith Learning Center and adults attended the graveside commemoration, reading the soldiers' accomplishments, placing yellow blossoms and American flags near their headstones and honoring their memories....
Read entire article at Democrat & Chronicle (NY)
He survived combat in Charleston, where 256 other soldiers found their end. After the war, the unmarried former laborer found roots in Rochester, served as one of Frederick Douglass' pallbearers and was instrumental in erecting a monument in Rochester to the civil rights pioneer.
Little else is known about Platner, who is buried in Riverside Cemetery, because extensive history was not often kept about African-American soldiers who lived and died in the Civil War era.
But local residents don't want the soldiers' accomplishments to fade away.
The Monroe County Freedom Trail Commission on Saturday held its sixth annual "On behalf of Those Who Lie in Yonder Hallowed Ground" event to celebrate the African-American soldiers who fought to help secure the Union Army's victory.
The ceremonies honored the 200,000 African-Americans overall who fought, including at least 14 local men buried at Riverside Cemetery, 2650 Lake Ave. and Mt. Hope Cemetery, 1133 Mt. Hope Ave.
Students from the Dr. Douglas Smith Learning Center and adults attended the graveside commemoration, reading the soldiers' accomplishments, placing yellow blossoms and American flags near their headstones and honoring their memories....