Tabernacle Historical Society

Hear My Story

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Read My Story

I am buried in the AME cemetery in Tabernacle, NJ. I was born in 1831. At the age of 32 I enlisted in the Union Army on January 23, 1864, and served as a Private in Company E, NJ 25th regiment, US Colored troops. I was mustered out of the Company December 6, 1865. The regiment was composed of African American enlisted men commanded by white officers and was authorized by the Bureau of Colored Troops which was created by the United States War Department on May 22, 1863. Most who joined were freemen while some were emancipated slaves. We received uniforms, equipment, and weapons.

Our regiment carried 2 flags during our service. One flag symbolized the Union and the other the 25th USCT. The regimental flag depicted Columbia, the goddess of liberty, making a fugitive slave into a soldier. Everywhere the 25th marched, its flags spread freedom. Each recruit was expected to serve for three years or until the war ended. Black men served in enlisted positions while white men served as officers.

We received a pay of $7 per month. Although Congress authorized black troops to receive equal pay as white men, sometimes our pay was delayed or not seen at all. Prejudice toward blacks initially resulted in unequal service compared to white troops. In time, many white Northerners outgrew their assumptions about black soldiers. They came to support black recruitment to help prevent the Union’s downfall and the loss of more white lives. Through service and sacrifice, black men proved their right to be treated as equals.

Like most black regiments, the 25th did not take part in any battles during its service. White officers doubted black soldiers would fight, so USCT regiments guarded forts. The regiment had hoped to march on Mobile in March 1865 but was left on Pensacola Bay instead. “We were compelled to witness our brethren marching forth against the foe, while Sickness made life miserable on Pensacola Bay. Many suffered with scurvy, and many died while we remained to protect Government property,” Chaplain Miller wrote.

The 25th USCT served until December 1865. Most of the men returned home but over 180 perished during the war, having given their lives so that the nation might live. I am proud to have served in the 25th Infantry. The men of the 25th USCT ensured that future generations had the opportunity to advance the nation’s virtues.

At the end of the war, I lived with my wife Lueresin and 5 children in Indian Mills. I worked as a farm laborer. In 1880 I applied for an invalid pension. At that time I was living with my 4 children and my mother Caroline. I tried to farm my land, but I had been injured in June of 1864 while working on a building at Fort Pickens, LA. A heavy timber fell on me injuring my back. The injury prevented me from doing any manual labor. As I got older the injury caused crippling. I had to submit reports documenting my injury to the pension office. My pension was denied. The reason they gave was that my injury did not qualify under the Invalid Pension disability clause. I died August 19, 1889.

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(George Eayers enlistment document)

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(AME Cemetery tombstone by Nat Ewan)

Timeline

• 1831: Born.

• January 23, 1864: Enlisted at age 32; served as a Private in Company E, 25th USCT.

• June 1864: Suffered a back injury when a heavy timber fell on him at Fort Pickens.

• December 6, 1865: Mustered out.

• After the war: Lived in Indian Mills with his family and worked as a farm laborer.

• 1880: Applied for an invalid pension; the booklet states the claim was denied.

• August 19, 1889: Died. Buried in the AME Cemetery in Tabernacle.