About this Exhibit: Learning to Read, A Soldier’s Story

www.heartlandconnection.com     This exhibition illustrates the plights of the Colored Infantry Soldier during the Civil War. During this time military leaders had to redefine boundaries it placed on the value of learning for all of its soldiers, including the Negro. Colored soldiers were expected to fight, defend and take up arms with their white counterpart on the field of battle. Although many white soldiers were also illiterate, those within the Noncommissioned Officer and Officer Corps did have basic literary skills; but the colored soldiers had none at all. The military understood that for clear and effective communications within the command structure, its leadership must be able to effectively communicate, or simply put “they must possess the ability to read.” Company commanders were aware of this dilemma and most formed learning and reading sessions for their colored soldiers. A goal for promotion set by these commanders was that after one year the soldier had to be able to read at a certain level. These soldiers overcame educational adversity, and many of them “Learned to Read.” When they returned home with this learning tool, many started private institutions of higher learning for their families with the money they saved from the war. Remember that when they did return home, it was still illegal to teach a colored person to read or write. With this information we can understand why many Historical Black Colleges and University all have a founding dates that correlate with the end of the Civil War. Example: Lincoln University of Jefferson City, Missouri; Founded in 1866 by freed slaves of the 62nd and 65th Colored Infantry. The educational message that Mr. Garner and his family want us to understand is a simple one. It’s not where and how you start in life that counts, but how and where you finish. For Sabee.