Harrisburg leaders pay tribute to the African-American soldiers who fought and died in the Civil War
In May 1865 in Washington D.C., the United States held a 'Grand March' down Pennsylvania Avenue to welcome home the soldiers of the Civil War — exc...
In May 1865 in Washington D.C., the United States held a 'Grand March' down Pennsylvania Avenue to welcome home the soldiers of the Civil War — except for the 180,000 Black soldiers. They were denied access to participate in the military march.Some of those soldiers were from Harrisburg's Old Eighth Ward, according to Lenwood Sloan, who led a commemoration service for the troops in the Capitol Rotunda on Monday.Sloan credited African American women from Harrisburg's Old Eighth Ward with ensuring the contributions of what were then called the 'colored troops' would not be forgotten.