Island Mound, Missouri.  It was little more than a skirmish, but it was a landmark moment in the Civil War.

Island Mound, Missouri.  It was little more than a skirmish, but it was a landmark moment in the Civil War.

Island Mound, Missouri.  It was little more than a skirmish, but it was a landmark moment in the Civil War.

1st Kansas Colored Infantry.  This historic unit, recruited by Senator James Henry Lane received its baptism of fire at Island Mound, Missouri in 1862, and went on to distinguish itself at the battles of Cabin Creek and Honey Springs in the Trans-Mississippi Theater.

1st Kansas Colored Infantry.  This historic unit, recruited by Senator James Henry Lane received its baptism of fire at Island Mound, Missouri in 1862, and went on to distinguish itself at the battles of Cabin Creek and Honey Springs in the Trans-Mississippi Theater.

1st Kansas Colored Infantry.  This historic unit, recruited by Senator James Henry Lane received its baptism of fire at Island Mound, Missouri in 1862, and went on to distinguish itself at the battles of Cabin Creek and Honey Springs in the Trans-Mississippi Theater.

25.  Although, for the most part, the recipients did not receive official recognition until long after the war had ended.

25.  Although, for the most part, the recipients did not receive official recognition until long after the war had ended.

25.  Although, for the most part, the recipients did not receive official recognition until long after the war had ended.

14. A tremendous figure for one, relatively small, battle.

14. A tremendous figure for one, relatively small, battle.

14. A tremendous figure for one, relatively small, battle.

William Carney.  He only received his medal May 23, 1900.  His citation read: "When the color sergeant was shot down, this soldier grasped the flag, led the way to the parapet, and planted the colors thereon. When the troops fell back he brought off the flag, under a fierce fire in which he was twice severely wounded"

William Carney.  He only received his medal May 23, 1900.  His citation read: "When the color sergeant was shot down, this soldier grasped the flag, led the way to the parapet, and planted the colors thereon. When the troops fell back he brought off the flag, under a fierce fire in which he was twice severely wounded"

William Carney.  He only received his medal May 23, 1900.  His citation read: "When the color sergeant was shot down, this soldier grasped the flag, led the way to the parapet, and planted the colors thereon. When the troops fell back he brought off the flag, under a fierce fire in which he was twice severely wounded"

Atlanta.  Sherman did not have any U.S.C.T. in his ranks as he marched across Georgia, though his men did free a tremendous number of slaves over the course of the campaign.

Atlanta.  Sherman did not have any U.S.C.T. in his ranks as he marched across Georgia, though his men did free a tremendous number of slaves over the course of the campaign.

Atlanta.  Sherman did not have any U.S.C.T. in his ranks as he marched across Georgia, though his men did free a tremendous number of slaves over the course of the campaign.

Cold Harbor.  No U.S.C.T. units took part in that battle, which Grant ranked among his biggest regrets of the war.

Cold Harbor.  No U.S.C.T. units took part in that battle, which Grant ranked among his biggest regrets of the war.

Cold Harbor.  No U.S.C.T. units took part in that battle, which Grant ranked among his biggest regrets of the war.

180,000. An incredible 85% of the population.  All 180,000 names can be seen at the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington D.C.

180,000. An incredible 85% of the population.  All 180,000 names can be seen at the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington D.C.

36,000. Roughly a quarter of the men who served, which is a higher ratio than the Union Army as a whole.

36,000. Roughly a quarter of the men who served, which is a higher ratio than the Union Army as a whole.

36,000. Roughly a quarter of the men who served, which is a higher ratio than the Union Army as a whole.

South Carolina.  The 'cradle of secession' was also where the first experiments in radical reconstruction took place

South Carolina.  The 'cradle of secession' was also where the first experiments in radical reconstruction took place

South Carolina.  The 'cradle of secession' was also where the first experiments in radical reconstruction took place

Patrick Cleburne.  Some scholars speculate that the principal reason that the otherwise outstanding Irish-born General did not receive promotion was his controversial suggestion.

Patrick Cleburne.  Some scholars speculate that the principal reason that the otherwise outstanding Irish-born General did not receive promotion was his controversial suggestion.

Patrick Cleburne.  Some scholars speculate that the principal reason that the otherwise outstanding Irish-born General did not receive promotion was his controversial suggestion.

Benjamin Butler. The 'Beast' of New Orleans, who nominated Jefferson Davis for President in 1860, was the one who formulated the first legal justification for protecting escaped slaves.

Benjamin Butler. The 'Beast' of New Orleans, who nominated Jefferson Davis for President in 1860, was the one who formulated the first legal justification for protecting escaped slaves.

Benjamin Butler. The 'Beast' of New Orleans, who nominated Jefferson Davis for President in 1860, was the one who formulated the first legal justification for protecting escaped slaves.

James Island, South Carolina.  Their attack on Fort Wagner, which made them heroes, came later.

James Island, South Carolina.  Their attack on Fort Wagner, which made them heroes, came later.

James Island, South Carolina.  Their attack on Fort Wagner, which made them heroes, came later.

Petersburg.  The battle was one of Grant's numerous attempts to probe and penetrate the Confederate defenses around Virginia's second-largest city.

Petersburg.  The battle was one of Grant's numerous attempts to probe and penetrate the Confederate defenses around Virginia's second-largest city.

Petersburg.  The battle was one of Grant's numerous attempts to probe and penetrate the Confederate defenses around Virginia's second-largest city.

Fort Wagner.  The 54th failed in their attempt to overrun the fort, but so did every other unit that ever tried.  The fort was never taken during the war.

Fort Wagner.  The 54th failed in their attempt to overrun the fort, but so did every other unit that ever tried.  The fort was never taken during the war.

Ulysses S. Grant put the blame for the failure of the attack on the U.S.C.T.  No such allegation was ever made

Ulysses S. Grant put the blame for the failure of the attack on the U.S.C.T.  No such allegation was ever made

Ulysses S. Grant put the blame for the failure of the attack on the U.S.C.T.  No such allegation was ever made