The U.S. Colored Troops at Andersonville Prison
Historians traditionally have said there were just 776 US Colored Troops held in Confederate prisons. Would you be surprised to learn that the real number exceeds 2,642? Come to our January 17, 2024 meeting, and here Bob O’Connor describes how he took three years to painstakingly go through 209,000 USCT records, to determine that number. Bob says,”I have their names, regiments, ranks, where they were captured, where they were held, and what happened to them! He started looking at Andersonville and expanded out from there. Now his research includes the records of the USCT casualties at many of the major battles, including at Fort Wagner, Olustee, Fort Pillow, and at Petersburg; and, he is still working on Vicksburg. This is a little- known story, and you will not want to miss this meeting.

January Presenter
Bob O'Connor, hailing from the heart of Illinois and a proud alumnus of Northern Illinois University, has been a prolific author in the realm of Civil War literature since 2006. With an impressive catalog boasting over two dozen titles dedicated to the Civil War, Bob's passion for this era is evident. His dedication extends beyond the written word; Bob has delivered over 1,000 presentations, spanning 29 states (though, intriguingly, California remains uncharted territory for his talks). Notably, he brings history to life through authentic historical interpretations, embodying the little-known character Ward Hill Lamon, who served as Abraham Lincoln's bodyguard. Bob's contributions to the field have not gone unnoticed, as he has earned finalist honors four times in national book competitions. Moreover, he is widely recognized as one of the foremost authorities on the United States Colored Troops (USCT), conducting extensive research, particularly in the area of USCT Prisoners of War. Currently residing in Charles Town, West Virginia, Bob O'Connor's website, www.boboconnorbooks.com, serves as a treasure trove of resources. It houses 90 podcasts, covering various captivating Civil War topics, available for free listening, offering a rich and immersive experience for history enthusiasts.