The Unknown Vineyard Soldiers

This Thursday evening, as part of the ongoing , the is welcoming author Tom Dresser who will be giving a talk on the Unknown Vineyard Soldiers who were involved in the Civil War.

All across America, many African Americans and Native Americans fought in the Civil War and Islanders were among them. Though they were not required or drafted because they were not considered U.S. citizens, many felt the same duty to their country as other soldiers.

Dresser has written a number of historical books about Martha’s Vineyard and other areas of Massachusetts. Most recently he has published, “The Wampanoag Tribe of Martha's Vineyard: Colonization to Recognition” and “African Americans of Martha's Vineyard: From Enslavement to Presidential Visit.”

In writing both of these books, he came across a bit of information about Native American and African American Islanders who participated in the Civil War. “It still is pretty much an unknown how much we know about many of the Vineyarders of the Civil War era,” said Dresser. “With a few notable exceptions, the African American and Native American population are virtually ignored in most historical reviews of the era.”

Dresser examined military and census records and any recognition these men attained in their support of the Union cause. “I found several names, but could not uncover any specific information on many of them,” he said. “Unfortunately we did not have accurate records, so some soldiers are not credited with the correct regiment or even the town of origin.”

While records are sketchy, his research led him to a few interesting finds, one of which was an article in a newspaper published in 1866 called the Gay Head Light.  “As far as I know there was only one issue, and that has a wealth of information of that particular time frame. It also has an article about the eight Gay Head soldiers and sailors who participated in the war effort, even though they did not have to, as they were not yet citizens.”

One such hero was a young boy named Alfred Rose from Gay Head. According to Dresser’s research, Rose was only fifteen when he was killed in the Battle of Petersburg in July 1864.  “He had enlisted in May of that year, and was the youngest Vineyard recruit to become a casualty. Beyond that, very little is known about his actual war-time experience.”

On the other side of the spectrum were two African American soldiers named James Diamond and James Curtis, who were both 41. “Both survived the war and lived out their lives in Gay Head,” said Dresser.

According to Dresser, the citizens of Martha’s Vineyard were initially mixed on their politics surrounding the war. “I have some Gazette quotes which indicate the assumption that the insurrection would quickly be put down. Later on in the war, the Vineyard realized how serious and devastating the war was, and they sided with Lincoln and fought valiantly.” However, these particular soldiers were never treated as heroes. “In fact the soldiers of the 54th were originally trained as a cavalry unit and then their horses and muskets taken away for the white soldiers,” said Dresser.

Dresser’s talk on Thursday at the Museum will focus on more of his finds as well as on his research. “I do have some behind-the-scene tales which I will share,” he said. “They are not earth-shattering, but do give an element of the temper of the times. Doing the research on this topic was an experience in appreciation of the major contributions by so many people for the war effort.”

“The Unknown Vineyard Soldiers” will be held on Thursday, September 22nd at 5:30pm at the Museum Library, 59 School Street, Edgartown. Admission is $8 for members and $12 for non- members. There will be a reception to follow in the Civil War exhibit space in the Pease House Galleries.