Presentation of Colors

“Presentation of colors to the Twentieth United States [African American] Infantry, Colonel Bartram, at the Union League Clubhouse, New York, March 5th, 1864. The Twentieth Regiment, United States [African American] Troops, left Riker’s Island at nine o’clock on the 5th of March, 1864, on board the steamer John Romer, and were conveyed to the foot of Twenty-first Street, East River, New York, where they were disembarked and formed in regimental line, and marched to Union Square, arriving in front of the Union League Clubhouse at one o’clock. A vast crowd of citizens, of every shade of color and every phase of social and political life, filled the square and streets, and every door, window, veranda, tree and housetop that commanded a view of the scene was peopled with spectators. Over the entrance of the clubhouse was a large platform, ornamented with flags and filled with ladies. In the street was another platform, tastefully decorated and occupied by prominent citizens. From the stand the colors were presented by President King of Columbia College, who addressed them with warmth and eloquence. After the presentation ceremony was over the men stacked arms and partook of a collation provided for them."— Frank Leslie, 1896

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