Bryan already ID'd Mr. Gantt but I wanted to add a detail that a mutual friend sent me about him.
"He's a member of Co B, 54th Mass. and the president of the 23rd USCT reenacting group. Mr. Gantt never wears rank but he is in fact a retired navy captain -- after first serving as an infantryman in Vietnam, then getting a degree at Howard and reentering service as a navy pilot. He flew off carriers and was a top-gun instructor, among other things. A pretty amazing guy, and he's local. (i.e. DC area)."
The reenactor is Ed Gantt, who is in my reenactment unit (54th Massachusetts). Ed is an excellent speaker, particularly on the 23rd United States Colored Infantry. He is a reenactor with that unit as well.
I had to work last weekend, so I was not able to make the event. But had I been there, the following would have been my answer to the question:
I worked for the National Archives for 16 years. For 8 of those, I worked directly with Civil War records. I encountered many people requesting individual military service records for Union and Confederate soldiers. These requests came from historians, people writing books, and people doing family research. We had many requests for USCT soldiers from all kinds of people, but not one time in the 8 years I was there did anyone ever ask for records for a Black soldier in the Confederate army.
We can't show Ed or anyone else any Black Confederate records because they don't exist.
Kevin, are you by chance planning to do a second edition to your book at some point? I’m guessing there could at the very least be interesting new prefaces and epilogues!
I attended one of these reenactments at Wilson’s Wharf a few years ago. I don’t recall there being a Q&A session but perhaps I missed it. The audience was predominantly white—yes. But after the reenactment you get to go around and talk to these guys and that was very cool. There’s a mix of older and younger guys and the older guys were really knowledgeable. It takes place on land owned by the grandson of President Tyler I believe.
The only other reenactment I have ever attended was when I happened to stumble upon one in Resaca while traveling in Georgia one May a few years prior. I’ve always had a bit of a weird feeling about them, especially after reading Tony Horwitz’s book. But I’m less judgy now, and the Wilson’s Wharf reenactment was pretty cool all in all. So was the Resaca one. There was an African American man with a booth at Resaca going on about the ‘reality’ of Black Confederates. No such thing at Wilson’s Wharf.
Bryan already ID'd Mr. Gantt but I wanted to add a detail that a mutual friend sent me about him.
"He's a member of Co B, 54th Mass. and the president of the 23rd USCT reenacting group. Mr. Gantt never wears rank but he is in fact a retired navy captain -- after first serving as an infantryman in Vietnam, then getting a degree at Howard and reentering service as a navy pilot. He flew off carriers and was a top-gun instructor, among other things. A pretty amazing guy, and he's local. (i.e. DC area)."
I've read a few things about Mr. Gantt as well since posting this. Clearly a remarkable man.
Thanks for posting the video - with the usual thoughtful written accompaniment.
Thanks so much for sharing this great video, Kevin. Spot on.
It’s been awhile since I’d been to Ft. Pocahontas. Here are my pics from that event.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/mojohand/11Ldv8kx34
I met Harrison Tyler several times after that event. It’s kinda sad that this property opens only once a year.
Thank for sharing, Joe.
Kevin,
The reenactor is Ed Gantt, who is in my reenactment unit (54th Massachusetts). Ed is an excellent speaker, particularly on the 23rd United States Colored Infantry. He is a reenactor with that unit as well.
I had to work last weekend, so I was not able to make the event. But had I been there, the following would have been my answer to the question:
I worked for the National Archives for 16 years. For 8 of those, I worked directly with Civil War records. I encountered many people requesting individual military service records for Union and Confederate soldiers. These requests came from historians, people writing books, and people doing family research. We had many requests for USCT soldiers from all kinds of people, but not one time in the 8 years I was there did anyone ever ask for records for a Black soldier in the Confederate army.
We can't show Ed or anyone else any Black Confederate records because they don't exist.
Wonderful. Do you have contact information for Mr. Gantt?
Yes, I will send you the info.
Thank you.
UPDATE: Here is the full video if you are interested. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0epAUwHOms
Kevin, are you by chance planning to do a second edition to your book at some point? I’m guessing there could at the very least be interesting new prefaces and epilogues!
That's really up to the publisher and I haven't heard anything. It definitely could be an opportunity to update it.
That was an outstanding response. The young man in uniform knows his stuff, and I join with others in thinking an interview would be a Very Good Idea.
Appreciate this post. Maybe you could interview the reenactor, I think he would have much to share.
That is a great idea. Thanks.
I attended one of these reenactments at Wilson’s Wharf a few years ago. I don’t recall there being a Q&A session but perhaps I missed it. The audience was predominantly white—yes. But after the reenactment you get to go around and talk to these guys and that was very cool. There’s a mix of older and younger guys and the older guys were really knowledgeable. It takes place on land owned by the grandson of President Tyler I believe.
The only other reenactment I have ever attended was when I happened to stumble upon one in Resaca while traveling in Georgia one May a few years prior. I’ve always had a bit of a weird feeling about them, especially after reading Tony Horwitz’s book. But I’m less judgy now, and the Wilson’s Wharf reenactment was pretty cool all in all. So was the Resaca one. There was an African American man with a booth at Resaca going on about the ‘reality’ of Black Confederates. No such thing at Wilson’s Wharf.
Hi Margaret,
Thanks for the additional information. I suspect that the man you are referring to is Gregory Newsome.
https://cwmemory.com/2019/01/09/gregory-newsons-black-confederate-world/
Hmm, I actually don’t think that is the same man. Is that possible?
It could also have been H.K. Edgerton.