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1		HOUSE RESOLUTION
2		WHEREAS, The 29th United States Colored Infantry Regiment,
3		formed on April 24, 1864, played a crucial role in the fight
4		for the Union during the American Civil War; and
5		WHEREAS, Comprised of 2,072 brave African American men
6		from Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin, the 29th U.S. Colored
7		Infantry Regiment stood as the largest Black Civil War
8		regiment; and
9		WHEREAS, The 29th U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment
10		demonstrated valor and dedication in significant battles,
11		including the Siege of Petersburg, the Battles of the Crater,
12		Globe Tavern, Poplar Grove Church, and Boydton Plank Road, and
13		the Appomattox Campaign; and
14		WHEREAS, The 29th U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment played a
15		pivotal role in the Juneteenth proclamation, which marked the
16		liberation of slaves in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, a
17		day now celebrated as Juneteenth; and
18		WHEREAS, The volunteerism and sacrifice of African
19		American soldiers such as Pvt. William H. Costley, who was the
20		first enslaved male freed with the assistance of Abraham
21		Lincoln, and others who joined the Union Army, exemplify the

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1		courage and determination in the fight to end slavery; and
2		WHEREAS, In April 1864, 12 African American men, some
3		formerly enslaved individuals, demonstrated their commitment
4		to freedom and justice by volunteering for the Union Army at
5		the Tazewell County Courthouse; the names and ranks of these
6		brave men are Sgt. Marshall Ashby, Cpl. William Henry Ashby,
7		Pvt. William Henry Costley, Pvt. George H. Hall, Pvt. Wilson
8		Price, Pvt. Thomas M. Tumbleson, Pvt. Nathan Ashby, Pvt.
9		William J. Ashby, Pvt. Morgan Day, Pvt. Edward J. Lewis, Pvt.
10		Thomas G. L. Shipman, and Pvt. George W. Ure; and
11		WHEREAS, The Illinois State Historical Society, Tazewell
12		County Board, and Tazewell County Clerk have sponsored efforts
13		to honor and remember the legacy of the 29th U.S. Colored
14		Infantry Regiment, and it is important to educate future
15		generations about the bravery and resilience of these men and
16		their legacy in the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice
17		for all; therefore, be it
18		RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
19		HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
20		we honor the memory and sacrifice of the 29th United States
21		Colored Infantry Regiment and all African American soldiers
22		who fought bravely for freedom during the Civil War; and be it
23		further

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