Home > TOURS > Juneteenth and the Civil War: Celebrating African American Emancipation

• Tweet
• Outlook
• ICAL
• PRINT
• Email
• Feedback

• RSS

• Official Website
• Buy Tickets

Juneteenth and the Civil War: Celebrating African American Emancipation

Presented by Laurel Hill Cemetery - The Underground Museum at Laurel Hill Cemetery

June 14, 2009

Comment on Facebook

General Thomas Kane served as an agent on the Underground Railroad. General Alexander Cummings, founder of the Evening Bulletin, and an early supporter of abolition, was Superintendent of Troops of African Descent in Arkansas, organizing five regiments of Black infantry. General Edgar Gregory assisted runaway slaves in escaping to Canada, and served as the first Assistant Commissioner of the Texas Freedman’s Bureau after the war. General Meade, Victor of Gettysburg commanded Black troops in the siege of Petersburg. After the Civil War, units composed of Black soldiers fought bravely on the frontier as Buffalo Soldiers; their comrades are also buried here. These are just a few of the stories you will learn about in historic Laurel Hill Cemetery’s tour commemorating ‘Juneteenth,’ the Jubilee of Emancipation and end of the Civil War celebrated by African Americans. Learn about the history of the Civil War that has often been overlooked and forgotten. Hear the stories of men—both Black and White—whose shared commitment to the struggle against oppression and racial inequality revealed their true heroism and courage. The tour will be guided by Joe Becton, a teacher, author, historian and cofounder of the 3rd Regiment United States Colored Troops Civil War re-enactors; and Dr. Andy Waskie of Temple University's Civil War & Emancipation Studies (CWEST), and board member of the Friends of Laurel Hill Cemetery.