PORT GIBSON — As Port Gibson resident Helen McComb watched the depiction of African-American soldiers who fought for freedom during the Civil War, she was intrigued by their testimony.
“Once I started hearing the stories of the people who fought in the battle, the role that they played in the battle really amazed me,” said McComb.
McComb was one of about 100 spectators gathered Friday on the lawn of Port Gibson City Hall for the commemoration of the service of U.S. Colored Troops and the Battle at Coleman’s Crossroads Plantation.
The battle was fought July 4, 1864 near the present-day intersection of Mississippi 552 and U.S. 61 near Alcorn State University.
The program was designed by Ser Seshsh Ab Heter-CM Boxley, coordinator of Friends of the Forks of the Roads Society’s Annual Black and Blue Civil War Living History Events.
“I felt that I had to tell the public the story of what our enslaved ancestors did because the story of African-Americans has been hidden, especially here in Mississippi. So I feel that it is my mission to become an advocate for our ancestors and the institutions in African that has been covered up and destroyed,” said Boxley, whose name represents his African roots and the plantation on which his ancestors were enslaved.
Boxley helped organize the event and bring it to Port Gibson.
Port Gibson Mayor Fred Reeves, whose great-grandfather along side other troops of African descent fought and died at Milliken’s Bend said he was elated to have the program in the city.
“I am glad that they decided to bring this to Port Gibson. This program is very educational that every citizen of Mississippi should experience,” said Reeves said.
The path to lasting freedom for Claiborne County’s African-Americans and those throughout the South and the destruction of chattel slavery began with the issuance of Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863.
As word of the Proclamation spread and Union armies advanced, enslaved and non-enslaved African descendants self-emancipated by abandoning their places of enslavement and oppression and flocking to Union lines.
They became soldiers, sailors, cavalrymen, nurses, teamsters, fortification builders, cooks, spies, seamstress and washers during the war.
A Union army led by Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant arrived in Port Gibson on May 1, 1863, after being shown by a Port Gibson former slave — termed an “intelligent contraband” — where to cross the Mississippi River at Hard Time Landing, La., to Bruinsburg.
Boxley portrayed the man noted in history as “The Intelligent Contraband” during the ceremony.
As Grant’s army fought through Port Gibson and Grand Gulf on their march to Vicksburg, enslaved people fled to freedom behind Union lines. Many Claiborne County able-bodied men who had been formerly held in slavery volunteered to be Union soldiers. Claiborne County men fought and showed distinction at Milliken’s Bend, La., and Coleman’s Crossroads Plantation.
David Williams and his wife, Barbara Williams, portrayed Gilbert Stokes and Ann Bradford Stokes during the program. Ann Bradford Stokes was the first African American to join the U.S. Navy as a nurse, and William Stokes served as a soldier and fought for his freedom.
“History is always important, especially for black people. All of us should know exactly what went on back then. I think the reason why today’s youth go astray is because they don’t understand where they came from and what we went through to reach where they are today. The younger black kids really need to see this,” said David Williams.
“I love this. I feel good about being this character and I am grateful for the opportunity,” said Barbara Williams.
Anthony Robinson, a Jackson State University student from Natchez, who played a Union sailor, felt humbled by his experience.
“This is a great role. It shows me what black people had to go through during slavery. I really appreciate what they did for us,” said Robinson.
Melvin Anderson, the CEO of the Southern Dreams mentoring program geared toward reshaping the minds Mississippi’s youth said he was proud to play the part of Isaiah T. Montgomery, a former slave sailor on aboard the ship of U.S. Admiral David Dixon Porter.
“It is a blessing to learn different parts of our history that we’ve never heard about. I never knew that African-Americans played a part in the Navy,” said Williams.