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[8] pp. Printed form filled out in ink. 25x19.7 cm. (10x7¾").

Listing of clothing and other equipment issued to the troops of the 29th Connecticut (Colored) Volunteer Infantry Regiment, comprised of African American troops led by white officers. The document was filled out by the quartermaster, 1st Lieut. Gordon W. Stewart, second in command of Co. H, under Captain A. Washburn. The earliest recruit for this regiment was enlisted August 11, 1863, but most of the men came to the regiment at its rendezvous in Fair Haven during the last three months of the year. The full number and more was attained in January, 1864. Late in March, 1865, the regiment was moved into Fort Harrison, which was supposed to be undermined and the most probable point of rebel attack. Here they witnessed the last rebel dress-parade on the afternoon of Sunday, April 2d. Early the next morning explosions of rebel gunboats in the James, and of magazines in Fort Darling and in the direction of Richmond, and the coming in of deserters began to announce the rebel evacuation. The heavy firing of the two days before on the distant left across the James, and the order for extreme watchfulness, had prepared the whole division along this, the nearest part of the line to Richmond, for this result. The 29th C.V.I. was one of four regiments of African American troops considered Regular units, rather than auxiliaries. Their veteran status allowed them to get valuable federal government jobs after the war, from which African Americans had usually been excluded in earlier years. However, the men received no formal recognition for combat honors and awards until the turn of the 20th century.