September 27, 1892-Dated Handwritten Manuscript Document being a Resolution "In Memoriam", Honoring Comrade Andrew J. Tate, Who Was, "Made a Free American Citizen by the Emancipation Proclamation of Abraham Lincoln", issued and Signed by the Committee Members of Gordon Forrest, Command No. 12, of the Union Veterans' Union, Framed, Very Fine.
This important Black history related Manuscript “Resolution” measures 9.5 x 7.5 inches (by sight)) is framed to 11.25 x 9.25 inches. The entire document is handsomely presented, written and signed in rich deep brown ink on clean wove period paper, housed in a simple modern wood frame under special protective UV Plexiglas. It is headed," - In Memoriam - " and speaks about a Black Union Civil War soldier ... "Comrade Tate was made a free American citizen by the Emancipation Proclamation of Abraham Lincoln.” He served in the Union 1st Regiment, United States Colored Heavy Artillery. This Memorial Resolution reads, in full:

"In Memoriam --- Comrade Andrew J. Tate was a valued member of Gordon Forrest Command No. 12, --- Union Veterans' Union --- and answered the Roll Call of the Divine Commander and was Mustered Out Monday, September 27, 1897." The Resolution continues: "Comrade Tate was made a free American citizen by the Emancipation Proclamation of Abraham Lincoln. He proved his gratitude and patriotism by rallying to the aid of the Government in its tremendous struggle with treason, making an honorable record as a soldier in the First United States Heavy Artillery Regiment which saw severe and continuous service. Since the War, Comrade Tate has lived among us, a quiet and useful citizen respected by all who knew him. His Comrades bear cheerful testimony to his worth as a man and sincerely mourn his loss. We tender our heartfelt sympathy to his bereaved companion in this, her hour of deep affliction, and commend her to the kind and All Wise Heavenly Father. We recommend that this Testimonial be sent to the widow of Comrade Tate and a copy be spread upon the Records of the Command. --- (Signed) Albert W. Mann, Charles E. Tompson, and Lewis Reihlen as Committee of Gordon Forrest Command, U.V.U. (Union Veterans' Union)”.

Ex: Enslaved Black Civil War soldier Andrew J. Tate served in the 1st Regiment, United States Colored Heavy Artillery, organized at Knoxville, Tennessee, in February 1864. A regiment drawn largely from formerly Enslaved Black men from Tennessee and North Carolina. The regiment and Tate performed garrison duty and saw action against Confederate cavalry in East Tennessee, took part in Stoneman's 1865 raid into southwestern Virginia, and western North Carolina, then was mustered out in March 1866.
The “Union Veterans' Union”, under whose auspices this Resolution was issued, was a fraternal organization of Union Civil War veterans. It was distinct from the larger and better-known Grand Army of the Republic, organized in local "Commands" that, as here, formally memorialized deceased members and transmitted resolutions of sympathy to their families.

This rare original document stands as a direct, personal record of one formerly Enslaved man's path from Slavery bondage to honorable Union military service. In his community's own words at his death, “to a life lived afterward as a respected citizen.”



1st Regiment, United States Colored Heavy Artillery: Organized at Knoxville, Tenn., February 20, 1864. Attached to 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 23rd Corps, Dept. of Ohio, to February, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, District of East Tennessee, Dept. of the Cumberland, to March, 1865. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, District of East Tennessee, to March, 1866

Tate’s Service: Duty at Knoxville, Tenn., till January, 1865. Operations against Wheeler in East Tennessee August 15-25, 1864. Operations in Northern Alabama and East Tennessee January 31-April 24, 1865. Stoneman's operations from East Tennessee into Southwestern Virginia and Western North Carolina February to April. At Greenville and in District of East Tennessee till March, 1866. Mustered out March 31, 1866.