Free concert and program on black infantry today

September 26, 2008 02:35 pm

— The Black Heritage Committee of the Oklahoma Historical Society is presenting a free concert and informational program at 6:30 p.m. today at Muskogee Civic Center.
The concert will feature the All Funk Radio Show Band from Dallas. Speaking at the program will be National Park Service expert William Gwaltney, who will explain the role of black soldiers who fought valiantly in the Civil War.
The program will include reenactors from the First Kansas Colored Infantry, a unit composed of freedmen and escaped slaves from the Indian Territory who traveled north to Kansas and organized their own combat unit to fight for the Union.
The unit distinguished themselves in the Battle of Honey Springs and were cited by Gen. James Blunt, the Union commander, for their bravery under fire.
“We want people to know this important story, know about the black soldiers who fought so gallantly to preserve the union in the Civil War,” said Bruce Fisher, curator of African-American history for the Oklahoma Historical Society. “We are calling this special evening in Muskogee the Support Our Troops Concert and Battle.”
This program is being presented on Friday before the reenactment of the Battle of Honey Springs in Rentiesville on Saturday and Sunday. Reenactments will be at 1:30 p.m. Camps open at 9 a.m. Admission is $5 per person, children 12 and under are free.