47th US Colored Infantry

The 47th USCI was organized from the 8th Louisiana Infantry (African Descent) in March 1864. Commanded by Colonel Hiram Scofield, it fought in Mississippi and Florida, including at the Battle of Fort Blakely in April 1865. 

Organized March 11, 1864, from 8th Louisiana Infantry, African Descent. Attached to 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, U. S. Colored Troops, District of Vicksburg, Miss., to October, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 16th Corps, to November, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, U.S. Colored Troops, District of Vicksburg, Miss., to February, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, U. S. Colored Troops, Military Division West Mississippi, to June, 1865. Dept. of the Gulf to January, 1866.

SERVICE: Post and garrison duty at Vicksburg, Miss., till October, 1864. Expedition from Haines Bluff up Yazoo River April 19-23. Near Mechanicsburg April 20. Lake Providence May 27. Moved to mouth of White River, Ark., October 15. Duty there and at Vicksburg, Miss., till February, 1865. Ordered to Algiers, La., February 26 thence to Barrancas, Fla. March from Pensacola, Fla., to Blakely, Ala., March 20-April 1. Siege of Fort Blakely April 1-9. Assault and capture of Fort Blakely April 9. Occupation of Mobile April 12. March to Montgomery April 13-25. Return to Mobile and duty there till June. Moved to New Orleans, La., thence to Texas, and duty on the Rio Grande and at various points in Texas, till January, 1866. Mustered out January 5, 1866.

Regiment lost during service 1 Officer and 30 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 398 Enlisted men by disease. Total 432.

Predecessor unit: LOUISIANA VOLUNTEERS. 8th REGIMENT INFANTRY (AFRICAN DESCENT). Organized at Lake Providence, La., May 5, 1863. Attached to African Brigade, District of Northeast Louisiana. to July, 1863. Post of Vicksburg, District of Vicksburg, Miss., to March, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, United States Colored Troops, District of Vicksburg, March, 1864.

SERVICE: Duty at Lake Providence, La., till July, 1863. Post duty at Vicksburg, Miss., till March, 1864. Expedition up Yazoo River February 1-March 8, 1864. Liverpool Heights February 4. Capture of Yazoo City February 4. Satartia February 7. Occupation of Yazoo City February 9-March 6. Skirmish Yazoo City March 5. Designation of Regiment changed to 47th U. S. Colored Troops March 11, 1864.

Two men from Williamson County served in the 47th USCI. Both men enlisted in Company K on February 24, 1864 in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Neither man survived to muster out.

• Pvt. Abram Dougherty was born in Williamson County in 1832. He was described as a 32-year-old field hand. On May 5, 1864 he died in the Regimental Hospital in Vicksburg of pneumonia. No gravesite has been located.

• Pvt. Miles Wilson was born in Williamson County in 1820. He was described as a 44-year-old field hand. On Feb. 18, 1865 D.S. (Detailed Service) in Pioneer Corp S.O.M. 18 Headquarters 1st Div. U.S. C.T. Algiers, Louisiana. On March 8, 1865 he died of small pox at Corps d’Afrique General Hospital, New Orleans, Louisiana. His remains were buried in the Chalmette National Cemetery in Louisiana.

Resources:

• Battle Unit Details, NPS

• Regimental and Company Books of the 47th U.S. Colored Troops Infantry Regiment

• LAKEPORT LEGACIES · THE OTHER LYCURGUS JOHNSON: U.S. COLORED TROOPS AND CIVIL WAR PENSION FILES IN THE DELTA, by Dr. Blake Wintory

• Approved Pension File for Virginia Godson, Widow of Corporal Robert Godson, Company C, 47th U.S. Colored Troops Infantry Regiment, and Company C, 8th Corps d'Afrique Regiment (WC-614058)

• Approved Pension Application File for Beneficiary of Andrew Davis, Company C, 47th USCT Infantry Regiment (Application No. WC119062)