WEST CHESTER, PA — For the second consecutive year, the service and sacrifice of 14 Black Civil War soldiers interred at Shiloh AME Church and Cemetery will be recognized during Shiloh Decoration Day. The event takes place on Saturday, May 17, from 12 PM to 1 PM at Chester County’s Old Courthouse, located at 2 North High Street in West Chester.
Organized by the Friends of Shiloh AME Church & Cemetery (FoS), the ceremony aims to shed light on the forgotten contributions of African American veterans such as Alfred and Richard Bye, Thomas Henry, Isaac J. Winters, and others who served in the United States Colored Troops (USCT) during the Civil War. Until recently, these soldiers and their final resting places had remained unacknowledged.
Attendees will hear from speakers about the history of Shiloh AME Church and the lives of the veterans buried there. The program will include a presentation of the Colors by the Sons of Union Veterans and the display of mock-ups of the lost gravestones of the soldiers.
The FoS, a nonprofit organization, was established to preserve and restore the neglected cemetery at Shiloh and Little Shiloh roads in Westtown Township. The group is also dedicated to educating the public about the site’s historical significance. A key part of their mission is the installation of a historical marker near the cemetery, with a dedication ceremony planned for Spring 2026.
Shiloh Decoration Day serves as a poignant reminder of the long-overlooked contributions of Chester County’s Black Civil War veterans. Through ongoing preservation and educational efforts, the FoS aims to honor their legacy and ensure that their stories are told for generations to come.
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