Author: Editor

Forest Home Cemetery is the final resting place for only two Soldiers of Color who fought for Wisconsin in the Civil War. William Reed joined Company F, 29th Infantry Regiment of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) on April 7, 1864 and followed 1750,000 African Americans into battle. Upon his death after the war, he lay in an unmarked grave for 121 years until a headstone was installed on May 30. “We know that he served his country from April 7, 1864 until after the war ended in November 1865,” said Ricky Townsell, a re-enactment group member of Company...

Private William Reed rested in an unmarked grave for over a century, and was never given the proper burial due an American Serviceman. He will finally be given full military honors on Memorial Day at Forest Home Cemetery. Private Reed served with Company F, 29th Infantry United States Colored Troops (USCT) and was the only all Black Unit from Milwaukee that fought in the War Between the States. He was discovered by members of the Civil War reenactment group that portrays Company F. USCT. They recently finished a campaign to get Private Reed, and original member of the unit, recognized...