The 61st U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment June 1862, was recognized when a marker was unveiled at the Madison County Courthouse, Friday.
Originally known as the 2nd U.S. Infantry Volunteers (African Descent), in December 1863, at the Battle of Moscow, Tennessee, the 61st was one of the first Tennessee USCT units to see combat in the Civil War. Its men saw service in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.
During its service the regiment lost one officer; 37 men were killed and mortally wounded; and two officers and 316 enlisted men succumbed to disease. The 61st mustered out of active duty on December 26, 1865, after which some became a part of the regular U.S. Army.
