Edward Johnson (abt. 1830)

Born about 1830 in United States [uncertain]

Died [date unknown] in United States

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Biography

Edward Johnson is a part of US Black heritage.

Pvt. Edward Johnson served in the United States Civil War.
Side: USA

Occupations

• 1863: Laborer

Residences

• 1863: Evansville, Indiana (military enlistment)

Military Service

Private in Company G of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first regiment in the United States made up entirely of enlisted men of color. He was 33 years old, single and working as a laborer when he enlisted on 25 July 1863 in Evansville, Indiana. He was wounded and imprisoned on 20 February 1864 at the Battle of Olustee. Miraculously, he survived the prisoner of war camps and was discharged 16 July 1865 in Beaufort, South Carolina for disability.

Research Notes

Private Johnson stands out among the Battle of Olustee prisoners of war; most either died while in prison or were finally exchanged in Goldsboro, North Carolina in March of 1865, but an exchange is never mentioned for him in Emilio's roster or the POW appendix of the 2nd edition. Hopefully his pension records will have more details.

Projects

• 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

Sources

• Emilio, Luis Fenollosa. History of the Fifty-Fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, 1863-1865, Boston, Massachusetts: Boston Book Co., 1891 (1st ed.) and 1894 (2nd ed.)