1. MY 10th BOOK, "AFRICAN AMERICANS FROM BALTIMORE COUNTY WHO SERVED IN THE CIVIL WAR: Maryland's Six Regiments of Slaves" HAS BEEN PUBLISHED AND CAN NOW BE PURCHASED

The cover of the book

       This 10th book on the history of African American history in Baltimore County has upgraded significantly this history by the research of slaves and former slaves who proved their loyalty to the country that held them in bondage for generations, yet proved through their volunteering in the Union Army and made a significant difference in the Union's victory during the country's Civil War.

     The right side of this blog reveals much history on these individuals as well as the USCT Regiments they served in.

       The author would like thank the sponsors of this book for making this segment of history of African Americans in Baltimore County available to the general public, especially the students and youth of this county today and in the future, about the sacrifices made by many of their ancestors.  These sponsors are Baltimore County government, the Board of Director's of the Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival and the National Pipe Band Foundation.

      The cost of the book is $35 including the 6% MD State tax; however, the book will be mailed to you postage free.

      Please contact Louis Diggs for any additional information about the book, or for purchases at louisdiggs2@verizon.net.

Sergeant Major Christian Abraham Fleetwood was born a free man in 1840, probably in Baltimore, Maryland. He served as the Chief Agent for a prosperous sugar refinery in Liberia.  Upon his return to American he graduated (valedictorian in 1860) from the Ashman Institute in Pennsylvania.  He enlisted in the 4^th USCT Regiment in 1863 and within two weeks became the Regimental Sergeant Major. He was awarded the Medal of Honor, and was discharged in 1866.  He died on September 28, 1914.  A daughter survived him.  His wife was Sara Christian. 

Info and photo courtesy of Ronald S. Coddington, from his book “African American Faces of The Civil War: An Album.”

"The Constitution," one of the ships that African Americans served on during

the Civil War.

Copy of information on an African American Soldier from Baltimore County (Ellicott Mills) who was captured during the Battle of Chapin Farm.

To view a video on my thoughts of African Americans from Baltimore County, please click on this URL:  http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/videogallery then click on "Black History Month."

My Thoughts

     Have you ever wondered why slaves would fight for their country when they were kept in bondage all of their lives? I certainly have, and since this is the 82nd year I have been in this world, my curiousity has never been stronger.

     I live in Baltimore County, Maryland, but was born in Baltimore City; since full retirement from the work world, I have taken up researching and publishing books on African American life in Baltimore County. After nine books, I'm now begining to find the answer to my longtime curiosity, and am in the process of researching and, hopefully, publishing my tenth book on Baltimore County's Civil War Regiments of Slaves, and guess what?:  I have already discovered several of my own ancestors from this county who served in the Civil War.
     One of the reasons I have put this blog together is to see if there is anyone out there who may be doing research on their family and have discovered where their ancestors who might have served in the Union Army during the Civil War, and who would consider sharing their information with me.  I would be more than happy to share my findings with you.  To give you some ideas as to the types of information I have been able to secure for my books, please check on the icons on the right of these comments.
     In 1863, Maryland had six regiments of United States Colored Troops (USCT) organized: the 4th, 7th, 9th, 19th, 30th and 39th USCT Regiments.  Thus far, I have already discovered almost 400 slaves and formal slaves from Balimore County who joined these regiments.
     Remember that Baltimore County was much larger back in history.  Parts of Harford, Cecil, Howard, Carroll, Frederick were cut out of Baltimore County.