Illinois museum expands exhibit on black soldiers

SPRINGFIELD— The Illinois State Military Museum has expanded its exhibit on the history of African American soldiers in the Illinois National Guard.

The exhibit at the Springfield museum now includes a display on Illinois’ only regiment of African-American soldiers to serve in the Civil War.

Illinois National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Howard Robinson said Thursday the exhibit was a good way to mark African American history month.

The 29th U.S. Colored Infantry was one of 175 black regiments during the Civil War. By the end of the war, African American soldiers numbered 179,000, or about 10 percent of the Union Army.

The 29th was stationed at one point to defend the White House and later fought in the series of battles around Petersburg, Va., known as the Siege of Petersburg.