Monroe County Civil War Round Table

Monroe County and the 102nd United States Colored Troops (1st Michigan Colored Infantry)

  During the Civil War, the Wolverine state only recruited one Black regiment, the 1st Michigan Colored Infantry. Later designated the 102nd United States Colored Troops, they trained at Camp Ward in Detroit before being sent to South Carolina, a harsh and fierce environment. Fighting in several engagements, the 102nd proved to the nation that Michigan’s black men were prepared to pay the ultimate price for freedom. This presentation will cover Monroe County’s contributions, as well as a history of Michigan’s only black regiment.

Austin Ingall is a 16-year-old Junior at Bedford Senior High School. He is a member of the 2024-2025 American Battlefield Trust Youth Leadership Team, a group of 10 High School kids from around the nation who promote historical education, preservation, and interest in their local communities. He has had a life-long interest in the Civil War and hopes to pursue a career in history. He lives in Temperance, and always enjoys a good discussion about historical movies and figures.