Natchez Bluff at Madison and Broadway Selected as Site for Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument

The board approved the site unanimously pending approval by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and the Natchez Preservation Commission

#NatchezUSCT

Visit Natchez Executive Director Devin Heath, left, and Natchez USCT Monument Committee Chairman Robert Pernell addressing the Natchez Board of Aldermen on Friday, March 11, 2022. The two sought the board’s approval of the Bluff, at Madison and Broadway streets, as the site for the USCT monument. The board approved the site unanimously pending approval by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and the Natchez Preservation Commission.

NATCHEZ, Miss. -- The Natchez Bluff, at the corner of Madison and Broadway streets, has been selected as the site for the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument.

In a unanimous vote Friday, March 11, the Natchez Board of Aldermen approved the location following a recommendation by the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument Committee. The Board approved the site contingent upon approval of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and the Natchez Preservation Commission.

The board approved the request unanimously pending approval by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and the Natchez Preservation Commission.

Visit Natchez Executive Director Devin Heath, who chairs the Site Selection Subcommittee, said the selection was made following an “extensive process” that included a review of more than 25 sites by his committee.

The site “has a significant amount of significance to the Colored Troops,” he said, adding it was also recommended by Ser Seshsh Ab Heter-Clifford M. Boxley, local historian of African American history. Information on the site was also provided by Mimi Miller, executive director emerita of Historic Natchez Foundation, and Deborah Fountain, who chairs the History and Research Subcommittee for the monument committee.

Heath noted the Colored Troops camp was located right below the site on the Bluff. It was also close to where they worked, he said. “They actually would come up the hill and drill (there) with their white counterparts,” Heath said.

In order for the committee to move forward with the monument design, it must first “be able to solidify the approval for this site,” Heath said.

Alderwoman Valencia Hall made the motion for the site to be approved pending approval by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and the Natchez Preservation Commission. The motion was second by Alderman Billy Joe Frazier.

This is an image of the approved site for the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument. See the yellow "X" near the top, on the corner of Broadway and Madison streets.

Frazier praised Boxley for his research and recommendation. He also thanked Heath and the city of Natchez for their work on the project.

“I appreciate what you’re doing,” he said to Heath. “I just want to say that I appreciate Mr. Boxley, who is an authority on history dealing with the black community. I feel he has a lot of wealth of knowledge … and I appreciate you and the city of Natchez for taking this forward.”

Alderwoman Felicia Bridgewater-Irving said the site on the Bluff would provide a space for the community and tourists alike to learn more about the Colored Troops. She suggested it would be a good location for reenactments that would serve to educate the public.

“I thank the committee for putting this all together,” she said.  “I also want to thank Mr. Robert Pernell, for reaching out as one of the members who has spearheaded this, along with Mr.  Boxley.”

“This was a lot of hard work by a lot of individuals,” said Heath in his closing remarks. “The U.S. Colored Troops committee, which is chaired by Mr. Pernell, has been doing a lot of great work.”

Mayor Dan Gibson noted his support for the project during and after the meeting.

"I am so grateful to Robert Pernell, Devin Heath, and the entire Natchez US Colored Troops committee for all of the hard work they have put in,” he said. “The site they have proposed for the monument is fitting, considering the historic connection between the troops and the Bluff. I expect approval through the Natchez Preservation Commission and MS Department of Archives and History to take place soon, and we will do all we can to assist." 

The Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument Committee was created to erect a monument to honor and bear the names of more than 3,000 African American men who served with the U.S. Colored Troops at Fort McPherson in Natchez, as well as those who served in the Navy who were born in Natchez. The monument will honor those who served with six regiments, which included: 6th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery, 58th U.S. Colored Infantry, 70th U.S. Colored Infantry, 71st U.S. Colored Infantry, 63rd U.S. Colored Infantry, and the 64th U.S. Colored Infantry.

For more information on the Natchez USCT, visit NatchezUSCTMonument.com.

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