In 1976, President Ford designated February as Black History
Month to highlight the achievements of African Americans in U.S.
history. He encouraged the nation to “seize the opportunity to
honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans
in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” In honor of
Black History Month, we invite you to enjoy Fold3′s Black
History Collection. This collection includes many enlightening
historical records documenting African American achievements
since the earliest days of our nation. Of particular interest
are those from the Civil War era as we continue to observe the
150th anniversary of the Civil War. As soon as black soldiers
were recruited to serve the Union in 1863, records were
generated to document their service including Compiled Service
Records for the U.S. Colored Troops and, ultimately, pension
files. The pension file index cards, like this one for Joel
Bedenbaugh, include a soldier’s rank, company, and regiment
within the U.S.C. Infantry, his pensio