After escaping from his slavemaster in Apton Valley, Kentucky, great-grandfather joined the 101st Regiment United States Colored Infantry, at 18 years of age. He served three years as a private in the Civil War. Action was seen at White's Ranch, Boyd's Station and Stevenson's Gap, and at Scottsborough and Larkinsville, Alabama. He was 21 years old and listed his occupation as a groom. His description included black eyes, black hair and a complexion listed as mulatto.
Fort Sill ca.
Remarkably, he never reported for sick call during the first two years and four months of service. He was again assigned to Company D of the Tenth U. S. Cavalry. This scenario prevailed during the Civil War. Some tribes fought for the South, such as the Cherokees and while others assisted the North like the Seminoles. Slaves and the black soldiers, who couldn't read or write, had no idea of the historical deprivations and the frequent genocidal intent of the U.S. government toward Native Americans.