“The sacred duty of honoring the memory of those who died in defense of our country, or who having survived the misfortunes of war have since fallen by the wayside, seems to devolve entirely upon the colored people of our town. At least they are the only ones who observe the day in Chestertown.”
So said the Kent County News exactly 120 years ago today, June 1, 1889, in reporting on Memorial Day activities here.
The reference was to the ceremonies sponsored by African-American veterans who fought for the Union in the Civil War – members of the Charles Sumner Post of the Grand Army of the Republic.
The doings of these local war heroes, more than 400 of whom from Kent County fought in the Civil War, has been largely forgotten by most in Chestertown in recent decades. That’s about to change somewhat.
Article Continues on Chestertown Spy
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