USCTMississippi

6th United States Colored Heavy Artillery

United States Colored Troops · Formed 1863-10-01 · Mustered out 1866-02-28
Raised From
Mississippi (Natchez)
Initial Strength
1,882
Formed
1863-10-01
Mustered Out
1866-02-28

Service Summary

The 6th United States Colored Heavy Artillery was a United States Colored Troops regiment raised in Mississippi during the American Civil War. The regiment was recruited from Mississippi (Natchez). It mustered into service with an initial strength of approximately 1,882 soldiers. The regiment was formed on October 1, 1863. It was mustered out on February 28, 1866.

Key Engagements

Battles and campaigns in which the 6th United States Colored Heavy Artillery served. Linked entries open the engagement's full record.

1863Port Hudson
1863 · MississippiPort Gibson
1863 · MississippiSiege of VicksburgView record ›

Distinctive Record

Raised at Natchez - one of the largest United States Colored Troops artillery regiments of the war. Formerly enslaved men from the Natchez district formed the nucleus of this regiment, garrisoning the city and the lower Mississippi.

Civil War context

The American Civil War (1861–1865) was the deadliest conflict in American history, killing an estimated 620,000 to 750,000 soldiers and an unknown number of civilians. The Confederate States of America, formed by eleven seceding Southern states, faced the Union in four years of warfare across 23 states and territories. Major engagements included First and Second Bull Run, Antietam (the bloodiest single day in American history, September 17, 1862), Chancellorsville, Gettysburg (July 1–3, 1863), Vicksburg (surrendered July 4, 1863), and Sherman's March through Georgia and the Carolinas (1864–1865). President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, transforming the war's stated purpose to include the abolition of slavery and enabling the enlistment of approximately 180,000 Black men in the United States Colored Troops. Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. The war resolved the question of secession and ended American slavery, though Reconstruction would face sustained resistance in its attempt to secure civil rights for formerly enslaved people.

Source

Regimental data from the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, National Park Service (public domain). Reference: National Park Service.

Questions about this regiment

What was the 6th United States Colored Heavy Artillery?
The 6th United States Colored Heavy Artillery was a United States Colored Troops regiment raised in Mississippi during the American Civil War. It was formed on October 1, 1863.
Where was the 6th United States Colored Heavy Artillery raised?
The regiment was raised in Mississippi (Natchez).
What battles did the 6th United States Colored Heavy Artillery fight in?
The 6th United States Colored Heavy Artillery saw action at Port Hudson (1863), Port Gibson (1863), Siege of Vicksburg (1863).
How large was the 6th United States Colored Heavy Artillery?
The regiment mustered in with an initial strength of approximately 1,882 soldiers.
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