Approximately 179,000 African Americans served
in the Union Army during the Civil War, making up ten percent of the total
army, yet little documentation of their service exists. This muster roll gives
a history of the 46th Regiment of the United States Colored Infantry, Company
D, and lists all of the soldiers who made up its ranks. The unit, made up of
African Americans from Helena, Arkansas, was formed in 1863 as the 1st Regiment
Arkansas Infantry (African Descent) and later renamed the 46th Regiment. This
regiment was one of the first African American regiments formed in the
Mississippi Delta. The unit spent much of 1863 in Louisiana before moving to
Mississippi and then to Memphis. After the war, the unit was stationed in
southern Texas, where it guarded the United States/Mexico border, preventing
Confederates from avoiding surrender by fleeing into Mexico. The unit was
disbanded in 1866.
This collection holds one 1865 muster roll for
the Forty-Sixth Regiment of the United States Colored Infantry, Company D.
- Muster Roll
