BATTLE OF ISLAND MOUND

This photo, taken by my friend, Preston Washington, in October 2008, appeared in the KC Call newspaper. It shows re-enactors of the First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry, with Me and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (r), in between, at the dedication of our statue in Butler, Bates County, Missouri, to black troops at The Battle of Island Mound. A 40-acre, State of Missouri, historical site was dedicated in October 2012 of this October 29, 1862, battle; the first fought (and won!) by black troops in the Civil War. This victory strongly convinced President Abraham Lincoln of the wisdom, military necessity, of issuing the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.