1863 Jan 31, The 1st South Carolina Volunteers, later called the 33rd U.S. Colored Troops was officially recognized. Components of the regiment had been in training since early 1862.
Courtesy U.S. Library of Congress
The First South Carolina Volunteer Infantry was the first officially recognized black unit of the Union Army during the Civil War. It was quietly authorized by President Abraham Lincoln and organized in August of 1862. The regiment reached its full complement of 1,000 men and was mustered in during November of that year. The First South Carolina Volunteers were deployed almost two months before the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863 (and before the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment was organized). On January 1, they were issued regimental colors and “officially” accepted into the Union Army. In February 1864 they became officially the 33rd United States Colored Troops Regiment. CLICK HERE for more.
1865 Jan 31, The House of Representatives approved a constitutional amendment (121-24) abolishing slavery. It would become the 13th amendment to the US Constitution. It was ratified on December 6. CLICK HERE for more
