Military Service

African Americans have served in the United States Military through this nation's history. Below you will find documents related to the military service of African Americans in the Civil War and World War I. The New York State Archives holds military service records for New Yorkers and many are available through Ancestry. 

Muster Roll #1230 for Jasper Yowns, Civil War, 1865

369th Regiment Harlem Hellfighters Unit Biography

James C. Spry, U.S. Colored Troops

Muster Roll #1269 for Abram Vroman, Civil War, c. 1864

Charles Freeman in World War I

National Guard Muster Roll Abstract for Henry Johnson, 1917-1919

Clinton J. Peterson World War I Biography

Learn More with New York Archives Magazine

"On Patrol in No Man’s Land"

by Aaron Noble

“Are you ready? Steady! Very Good Eddy, Over the top—let’s go…”

Summer 2017, Volume 17, Number 1