Ypsilanti Black Civil War monument

In June 2022, during a Federal Juneteenth Holiday, the city of Ypsilanti revealed the Ypsilanti Black Civil War Monument in Highland Cemetery, Michigan, at 943 N River St.[1] The monument depicts three United States Colored soldiers[2] and is meant to honor the state of Michigan's fallen colored troops and veterans who fought in the Civil War (1861–1865).[3]

History

Ypsilanti Black Civil War Monument, sculpted by John Pappas, depicts three USCT soldiers.

The Ypsilanti Highland Cemetery contains nearly 40 Black Civil War casualties or veterans. Cemetery records indicate that there are 19 marked gravesites of Black Civil War Soldiers, and an additional 19 may be buried near the grounds of Highland Cemetery.[4]

The Ypsilanti Black Civil War monument was first initiated when Matt Siegfried, a historian, writer, and researcher located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, noticed the headstone of Pvt. Elias Rouse,[5] a Civil War veteran from the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, within Ypsilanti's Highland Cemetery.[6] This discovery triggered Siegfried to research African American soldiers who fought in the Civil War and who were buried in the cemetery. This research ultimately acted as a catalyst in erecting the memorial honoring Black Civil War veterans.[1]

During his research, Siegfried was able to find two living descendants of Elias Rouse who still lived in Ypsilanti, Cheryl Garnett and Omer Winborn. Through Garnett and Winborn's family research, Siegfried found that Rouse was one of the first men of color to join the Union Army, recruited by Frederick Douglass to fight in the war.[7] On July 18, 1863, during the battle of Fort Wagner,[8] Rouse's regiment gained notability; however, once discharged in 1865,[5] it took until 1890 for him to receive his pension,[1] revealing the racial discrimination against colored veterans after the Civil War ended.[9]

Description

John Pappas, a sculptor based in Ypsilanti, created the Ypsilanti Black Civil War Monument.[4] It features three United States Colored Troops (USCT) soldiers at the top, inspired by historical photos, with three eagles beneath symbolizing war. Pappas purposely excluded the depiction of weaponry within the monument, instead focusing on their faces, trying to capture the contemplation and questioning colored soldiers made when making the life-altering decision to enlist and fight for their freedom.[4]

The memorial also honored several soldiers, including Elias Rouse from the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, James H. Falls and Dudley H. Fox from Co. F, 2nd Michigan Cavalry, and Lonrezo Thompson from Co. E, 11th USCHA, 14th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery.[1]

Funding

According to Michigan Live, the erection of the monument was assisted by State Representative Ronnie Peterson, who helped grant funding for the project, garnering a total of 60,000 dollars.[1] Funding included 5,000 dollars from the Michigan Enhancement Grant, another 5,000 dollars from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, and a donation of 30,000 dollars from Destination Ann Arbor/Ypsi Real.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Williams, Jalen (27 June 2022). "Black Civil War veteran honored with new memorial at Ypsilanti cemetery". Michigan Live. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Young, Patrick (21 June 2022). "New Monument to USCT Dedicated in Ypsilanti On Juneteenth Holiday". The Reconstruction Era. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "African Americans in the Civil War". Michiganology. Archives of Michigan Staff. 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d Rigg, Sarah. "New memorial in Ypsilanti's Highland Cemetery honors Black Civil War veteran". concentrate. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c "Rouse, Elias S." African Americans of the Kentucky Borderlands. Boone County Public Library.
  6. ^ a b "1889-9 Polk Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Washtenaw County Directory". Ann Arbor District Library. R. L. Polk & Co. 1888.
  7. ^ a b "House Resolution No.23". Michigan Legislature. 2025.
  8. ^ a b Jackson, Colin. "Lawmakers honor Black Civil War veterans with memorial unveiling in Ypsilanti". Michigan Public. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  9. ^ a b Wilson, Sven E. (2010). "Prejudice & Policy Racial Discrimination in the Union Army Disability Pension System, 1865-1906". American Journal of Public Health. 100 (Suppl 1). American Public health Association: S56 – S65. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2009.172759. PMC 2837429. PMID 20147675.
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