Written by Genealogical volunteer, Beth Mitchell, for the Wilmington News Journal.

Abraham Lincoln was assassinated 160 years ago. There had been four years of terrible conflagration and the loss of thousands of lives. I have chosen to honor Black History Month by featuring two of the black volunteers who served from Clinton County. All of the black troops for whom we have information will be featured in the Clinton County History Center display opening in March.

We must recognize those who, at the time, were not recognized as full citizens. They were seen only as residents. There were black troops from Clinton County who signed up as soon as they were allowed and went to fight for the preservation of the Union. In the 1915 Clinton County History book, 27 names are given. I am sure we do not have the names of all black Civil War veterans buried in Clinton County, but we should put forth our best effort to recognize those for whom we have names.

The enlistment of black recruits came as a result of the fact that some states could not meet the pledged quota of men from their state. Massachusetts was one of the first states to accept black recruits and some Clinton Countians were in Massachusetts units.

David Wood, a.k.a. David Woods, was a private in the 27th Regiment, USCI (United States Colored Infantry), Company I, and is shown as 32 years of age. He was born in Virginia and enlisted May 18, 1864. His enlistment occurred in Hillsboro, Ohio. He was discharged Sept. 21, 1865. According to the official roster of the units from Ohio, this unit saw action in Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina. One of the longest and most intense battles of the war occurred at Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 9 – 30, 1864.

Several other units from Clinton County were also at that site. In our Clinton County marriage records, we show that one David Woods married one Martha Rollins on March 3, 1864. In the 1870 census for Clinton County, we find one David Woods, age 41, and wife Martha living on Grant Street in Wilmington. They have a son Frank aged 6 years, a son James aged 3 years, and a daughter Anna aged 1 year.

The next soldier I wish to feature is William Hargrave. He became a sergeant in the 55th MVI (Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry), Company C. It was extremely unusual for a black soldier to obtain a rank above private. He was born in Wilmington, Ohio and his age is shown as 22 years. He enlisted May 21, 1863 at Readville, Massachusetts and was discharged Aug. 29, 1865. Information for this soldier was found in our book of black soldiers serving from Ohio and is also on the National Park Service Soldiers and Sailors of the Civil War site. On the government site he is shown in as private and out as sergeant. On Sept. 12, 1867, William Hargrave married Virginia Ricks. He is shown on the Veteran’s Schedule of 1890. In the 1850 census he is shown in the household of Jorden and Elizabeth Hargrave. In the 1870 census he is shown as residing with wife Virginia.

There are several places to look for possible answers. Do you have a Civil War soldier? Would you like to have them recognized? Check with the researchers at our library. We may be able to help.