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A ceremony is set for Saturday in Monroe as Union County prepares to honor 10 black men, nine of whom were slaves, who served in the Confederate Army and much later received small state pensions.
A marker commemorating their service will be dedicated at 2 p.m. at the Old County Courthouse off North Main Street. The public is invited to attend the event, which will include Civil War re-enactors and descendants of some of the men.
Union County commissioners have proclaimed the day as “Confederate Pensioners of Color Day” in the county. An amateur historian and Sons of Confederate Veterans member spearheaded the drive to recognize the men.
The keynote speaker is Earl Ijames, with the N.C. Museum of History. Another scheduled speaker is N.C. Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco. Adam Bell
