Private, K Co.
3rd Battalion
8th US Colored Heavy Artillery
New Orleans, Late Summer 1864
This regiment was raised in Rhode Island during the last six months of 1863 as the 14th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery.
The designation was changed to the 8th US on April 4, 1864 and to the 11th US Colored heavy Artillery in May of the same year, although they continued to be carried on army rolls as the 8th Regiment until the fall.
Unlike many other colored regiments, the ranks of the 8th contained mostly men who had not been slaves. Nearly all had been brought up free in their native state. Most of them knew to read and write.
Although it was a heavy artillery unit they received the jacket of the light artillery. As was regulation with all heavy artillery units they were drilled as artillerymen and as infantrymen. The 3rd Battalion served its entire enlistment in the defenses of New Orleans.
Based on an image by Don Troiani, page 227 of his book “Uniforms and regiments of the Civil War”.
Belt, small cap pouch and 1842 Smoothbore musket from SST, everything else from BGT. DML nude and HS (Nate). Added artillery crossed cannons, from Cots, to the cap.
