The results was the organization and reorganization of regiments of colored troops from all states of the nation. These soldiers made up what became known as the United States Colored Troops, or USCT.

The history of the USCT was brief yet illustrative, with little more than two years of service before the War ended in 1865. By the time the War ran its course, some 175 regiments comprising more than 178,000 freedmen and former slaves had enlisted and served in USCT regiments. Of the War's battlefield casualties 1,715 were USCT members.

During the War, USCT regiments developed their own histories and idiosyncrasies. They were proud colored men with a variety of backgrounds, interests and agendas.

The conditions of many USCT soldiers were not the best, although several regiments fought in brave and heroic battles and won some of the country's highest honors for their valor and service. Because of the War's harsh conditions and their low place on the totem pole, many USCT soldiers suffered !!times!!! suffered from disease such as measels, smallpox and rheumatism in greater numbers than thier fellow Union soldiers.

Adding to the lore of the USCT was the presence of prominent historical figures in African American culture. Martin Robison Delany, the abolitionist, black nationalist, and compatriot of Frederick Douglass was the highest ranking black staff officer to serve in the federal Army during the Civil War. And Douglass' own sons served in a USCT regiment.

The story of the USCT did not end with the conclusion of the War. When the War ended, the federal government moved quickly to disband the colored regiments. Many soldiers, particularly former slaves, found themselves virtually abandoned by the federal government and scorned by their former slavemasters.

For more than 20 years after the end of the War, colored soldiers were scarcely afforded any of the benefits due them as War veterans as their white counterparts. It was not until 1890 that black Civil War veterans were able to receive equitable pension and disability payments when Congress changed the law. Many of these veterans were in their 60's and 70's by the early 1900s when they received their first benefits.

Compounding the post-War dilemma of these colored soldiers was that records of their participation in the War were largely nonexistent. In most cases, these soldiers enlisted under the surnames of their former masters. But in the years after the War many had changed their surnames, so documentation of their service in the War was scarce.

During the pre-Civil War period of slavery, slaves were not afforded documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses and death certificates, which all can assist in documentation and were typical documents recorded for whites. Seldom had slaves ever taken photographs. Many never fully knew their date of birth. In many cases, family bibles that recorded birth and deaths were destroyed during the War.