Rappahannock's Freedom Fighters

The year 1865 marked the end of the Civil War and the dawn of abolition. Following the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, 180,000 brave men joined the United States Colored Troops (USCT), turning the tide of the war toward freedom. Among these heroes were 5,723 Virginians, including 53 men born right here in Rappahannock County.

To preserve this vital history, a list of Rappahannock soldiers, a historical map, and a U.S. flag previously flown over the White House are temporarily housed at the Scrabble School Preservation Museum. These artifacts honor the soldiers whose sacrifice irrevocably tied our community to this monumental chapter of American history.

We extend a special thanks to Zann Nelson for her dedicated research and for presenting this invaluable information to our community. For more details on this history, please email the Graffiti House at bsfgh1863@gmail.com.

If any of these soldiers are your ancestors, please contact the AAARC so we may continue to honor their names and preserve their service. HERE