It was a perfect day to celebrate the unveiling of the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) Monument at Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center. Approximately 200 people gathered to participate in a ceremony filled with poignant speeches, music, poems, and dance, all to honor the history of the USCT in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Clarksville served as a recruitment location for escaped slaves in and outside of the area who joined the Union Army hoping to win their freedom. More than 20,000 Colored Troops from Tennessee served in the Civil War.
The ceremony opened with welcoming remarks by Mt. Olive Historical Preservation Society Board Member Tyler Nolting, an invocation by Larry Wells, and the National Anthem sung by Vietnam Veteran Nettie Thomas of the Women Veterans of America Chapter 47.
Nick Nicholson, president of Mount Olive Historical Preservation Society credited County Mayor Jim Durrett and City Mayor Joe Pitts for their assistance and the assistance of the people on their staff as well as all members of the Mount Olive Society. He also thanked the late Geneva Bell for her tenacious spirit in laying the groundwork for the Mount Olive Historical Preservation Society.
County Mayor Durrett thanked everyone involved and said that this type of work is exactly what they envisioned when they started the Montgomery County Public Art Ad Hoc Committee.
City Mayor Pitts also thanked everyone who had a hand in the project including the City Parks and Recreation Team and Dee Boaz who along with her late husband Sam Boaz, donated the land for Fort Defiance.
A reflection on the history of the USCT was delivered by City Councilman and CW4 (Ret) Joe Shakeenab followed by the formal unveiling of the monument.
Theater and dance performances were done by Lucas Blair and Albert Nolting, Lucas Blair, Mikhalia Fergeson, and Karlos Klegg.
Musician Michael Rix from Nashville sang “Fighting for Their Day” before closing remarks which were followed by background music by the Cumberland Winds.
To see the full video of this memorable event visit Mt. Olive Cemetery Historical Preservation Society
The monument project began just a little over a year ago when Nicholson was contacted by Phyllis Smith to see if they would be interested in having a monument of a USCT soldier. The mold for the soldier, which had been done in three other U.S. locations, was created by the same artist who created Tennie-Tennessee Triumph, in Clarksville’s Public Square. This is the final monument of the soldier to be made.
The call was made just in time because the caste was scheduled to be destroyed the next day, according to Ellen Kanervo.
Major donors for the monument include:
Montgomery County Public Art Ad Hoc Committee
LPCE Nicholson Leadership Foundation
Ms. Phyllis Smith
Clarksville Arts & Heritage Development Council
North Central Institute
Original source can be found here
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