The Gray Invincibles were a "colored unit" of the Pennsylvania Militia. The group of soldiers were organized by T. Morgan Jones[1] who escaped slavery in Virginia as a teen. He made it to Monongahela in 1855 and worked on steamships. The unit's service in the American Civil War was initially rejected by governor Andrew Curtin "who said they were not needed, nor would they be accepted." The group volunteered a second time after the Emancipation Proclamation and Battle of Gettysburg and served in Virginia and South Carolina.[2] Samuel Beecher Hart served as a captain with the Grays and went on to become a state legislator and proposed successful legislation for a monument commemorating the service of Pennsylvania's African American soldiers, the All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors.[3]
the Pennsylvania Militia was renamed the Pennsylvania National Guard in 1870. The unit was succeeded by the Keystone Guards and Company F, 10th Regiment, Eighth Division. It served as an honor guard at the 1876 U.S. centennial celebration in Philadelphia[4][5] and during the railroad strikes of 1877.[6] A plaque was presented to the Washington County, Pennsylvania commissioners in 2018 commemorating the unit's service.[6]
Mark Hilton served as its First Lieutenant before resigning. Second Lt. William H. Jones succeeded him and was promoted to first lieutenant. Sgt. Joseph R. Griffey, identified by a local historian as an ancestor of former Major League Baseball players Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr., was elected second lieutenant.[7] A. Oscar Jones commanded in 1876.[4] In 1889 Charles A. Hallstock captained the unit. It was described as "independent".[8] In 1896 Andrew F. Stevens Jr. was its commander.[9]
References edit
- ^ Mansfield, Karen (February 28, 2021). "'We will prove ourselves men': Black Civil War sergeant recognized". heraldstandard.com.
- ^ "Walter Seal is convinced of 'Invincible Grays' authenticity, place in history | Local News | observer-reporter.com". observer-reporter.com.
- ^ "A Victory for Heroes: The Battle Behind the All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors". Hidden City Philadelphia. August 12, 2020.
- ^ a b Latta, James William (October 30, 1912). "History of the First Regiment Infantry, National Guard of Pennsylvania (Grey Reserves) 1861-1911". J.B. Lippincott – via Google Books.
- ^ McCabe, James D. (October 30, 1874). "The Centennial History of the United States: From the Discovery of the American Continent to the Close of the First Century of American Independence". National publishing Company – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "Monongahela history buffs honor 'The Invincible Grays' and black veterans | Local News | observer-reporter.com". observer-reporter.com.
- ^ Miller, Barbara S. (February 12, 2020). "Seal's zeal unwavering when it comes to Invicible Grays". Observer-Reporter.
- ^ Office, Pennsylvania Adjutant-General's (October 30, 1889). "Report of the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania". State Printer. – via Google Books.
- ^ "Official Documents, Comprising the Department and Other Reports Made to the Governor, Senate and House of Representatives of Pennsylvania". October 30, 1899 – via Google Books.