In 1865, Union General James H. Wilson commanded a Cavalry Corp on a mission to destroy several key confederate military manufacturing facilities. He directed the commanders of his three divisions to recruit and organize a regiment of former slaves during their march through Alabama and Georgia and by the time Wilson’s forces arrived in Macon, Georgia the recruits were now over 3,000.  On 24 and 25 April, all of the former slaves recruited by the Corp were examined by the surgeon and organized into three regiments consisting of 1,100 men each and were outfitted with captured Confederate uniforms and equipment.

Join us in the Library Auditorium to learn more about the men and the history of Georgia’s African Brigade!