Res 0027-2014

By Council Members Williams, Levin, Lancman, King, Chin, Koslowitz, Rose, Cohen, Greenfield, Espinal, Dromm, Gibson and Van Bramer Whereas, The United States Colored Troops ("USCT") were regiments of the United States Army during the American Civil War that were composed of African-American ("colored") soldiers; and Whereas, According to the National Park Service, approximately 200,000 free African-Americans enlisted in the USCT, which comprised 175 regiments from various states across the country, including New York, where 4,125 men served in the 20th, 26th and 31st regiments; and Whereas, On July 17, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln authorized the use of African-Americans in federal service by issuing the Second Confiscation and Militia Act; and Whereas, Black men, however, could not serve in combat until after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863; and Whereas, On December 3, 1863, the United States Department of War authorized the Union League Club of New York to establish three colored troop units to fight in the American Civil War, which were the 20th, 26th and 31st Regiments; and Whereas, The 20th Regiment and 26th Regiment were organized on Rikers Island, New York Harbor, on February 9 and February 27, 1864, respectively, and the 31st Regiment was organized on Hart Island on April 29, 1864; and Whereas, This year marks the 150th anniversary of the New York Regiment United States Colored Troops; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York designates the month of February as "New York Regiment United States Colored Troops Month". LS #409 1/27/14 5:30 p.m. TC 2