Taneytown’s African American Civil War Soldiers
David Buie
(2/2024) On February 15, 2020, the Mayor and City Council members of Taneytown placed wreaths honoring five of the seven African American Civil War Soldiers buried at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Cemetery. The five men: John Coats, John Wesley Cook, Randolph Frealing, C. David Hill, and Caleb Johnson. The inaugural event was the passion project of Carroll Yesteryear contributors David Buie and Mimi Ashcraft. William E. Bivens, buried at Trinity Lutheran Church and James A. Coats (Sergeant, 2nd U.S. Colored Cavalry) killed outside Petersburg, Virginia, also served in the U.S. Colored Troops from Taneytown.
During the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, Taneytown did not have a Black church; thus, there was no associated cemetery. It appears members of the local Black population probably attended White churches and were buried in the church's ground, particularly St. Joseph Roman Catholic Cemetery on Frederick Street. A school for Black children operated after hours in rooms of the church at one point.
According to the census of 1860, there appears to be a relatively significant free Black population in the Taneytown Election District. As might be expected, many of the Black families intermarried aiding researchers in identifying and following veterans from this period.
The Miller Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Post only existed for no more than five years and was exclusive to White veterans. If Black veterans from the Taneytown area wanted to participate in post-war activities or receive aid, they likely joined the Thaddeus Stevens G.A.R. Post located in New Windsor.
The following are brief biographies of the five Black soldiers honored on February 15, 2020, at the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Cemetery (The information is derived from several sources including the 1890 Veterans Census and articles published in the Carroll Record, a Taneytown newspaper):
Private John L. Coats, 2nd U.S. Colored Cavalry: In the 1860 census appears that John L. is still living at home with his father John (age 47), his mother Henrietta, and his brother James A. (age 21). In the 1850 consensus, John L. appears as being age nine. By the 1860 census, John L. would have been approximately nineteen. There is no other information regarding John L. additional than he returned home and died probably around 1890.
Private John Wesley Cook, Co. D, 2nd U.S. Colored Cavalry: John Cook was born in Taneytown in 1820. He enlisted in the Union Army on March 17, 1865, for one year. He mustered out at Brazos, Santiago, Texas, on February 12, 1866. His obituary appeared in the Carroll Record on April 19, 1902.
Private Randolph Frealing, Co. C., 30th United States Colored Troops (U.S.C.T.): Randolph Frealing was born in Taneytown about 1832. There appears to be confusion in his military record in recording his name. According to the History and Roster of Maryland Volunteers, Randolph "Tailing" enlisted May 27, 1864 and mustered out December 10, 1865. In the Carroll Record on May 19, 1906, Randolph's death is reported as having occurred two days prior. It was not until Randolph's wife's obituary on November 23, 1923, that conformation is made when her obituary states that she was predeceased by her husband Randolph, who served in the 30th U.S.C.T. during the Civil War.
Private C. David Hill, Co. D, 2nd U.S. Colored Cavalry: C. David Hill enlisted March 17, 1865, for one year at age 26. He was mustered out at Brazos, Santiago, Texas.
Private Caleb Johnson, Co. D, 2nd U.S. Colored Cavalry: Born in Howard County, Maryland, Caleb Johnson enlisted on March 17, 1865, at age 23 to serve for one year. He was discharged for medical reasons from the Corps d'Afrique U.S.A. General Hospital in New Orleans because he was incapable of performing the duties of a soldier. From 1865 onward, Caleb suffered from health issues suffering from scurvy and rheumatism (inflammation of the left knee). In 1873, he died from consumption/tuberculosis while residing in Taneytown.
Two other Black soldiers from Taneytown fought in the Civil War:
Sargent James A. Coats/Coates, 2nd U.S. Colored Cavalry: The only Black soldier from Taneytown to be killed in action during the Civil War. He was the brother of Private John L. Coats/Coates.
Private William E. Bivens/Bivans, Co. H, 39th U.S.C.T: William E. Bivens enlisted on March 1, 1864, at age 24. He mustered out on December 4, 1865, in Wilmington, North Carolina. William E. Bivens born in Baltimore, Md, and spent most of his time in Baltimore as a "sailor" with his wife, Henrietta, and two sons. However, in the 1880 census, he appears in the Taneytown as being age 38, with his wife (Henrietta) and four children. 1900, lists him as a widower, his wife dying in 1899. Around 1902, he married his housekeeper, Miss Coats, but again appears in the 1910 census as a widower. Although the exact date of his death is not known, he is known to be alive in 1911. He is buried at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Taneytown.
It should be noted that a large contingent of African Americans served in the American Civil War. It is believed that 186,097 Black men joined the Union Army, which consisted of 7,122 officers, and 178,975 enlisted soldiers. Approximately 20,000 black sailors served in the Union Navy and made up a large portion of many of the ships' crews. Later in the War, many regiments were recruited and organized as the United States Colored Troops, which reinforced the Northern side during the last two years. Both Northern free blacks and Southern runaway slaves joined the fight. Throughout the Civil War, Black soldiers served in forty major battles and hundreds of minor skirmishes; sixteen African Americans received the Medal of Honor.
