97th United States Colored Infantry Regiment

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97th United States Colored Infantry Regiment

The 97th United States Colored Infantry Regiment was a Black engineer unit in the Union Army, part of the United States Colored Troops, that fought in the Civil War in the Gulf and Western theaters. It began at Camp Parapet, Louisiana, on April 28, 1863, as the 1st Louisiana Engineers, with two early companies already sent to clear obstructions on the Bayou Teche. The enlisted men were formerly enslaved workers who had provided labor for the U.S. Army, and many officers were former enlisted men from other regiments.

Under Colonel Justin Hodge, the regiment fought at Port Hudson in 1863, performing engineer duties under fire and helping with assaults at Slaughter’s Field. After the siege, the unit demolished batteries and worked on pontoon bridges. On August 26, 1863, the regiment was split into two: the 1st Regiment Engineers, Corps d’Afrique and the 3rd Regiment Engineers, Corps d’Afrique. The 3rd, led by Colonel George D. Robinson, moved to Texas for duty, while other companies served at Pass Cavallo unloading vessels.

From December 1863 to February 1864, some companies operated at Pass Cavallo, and the rest joined the Red River Campaign. In this campaign the regiment built bridges over the Vermilion, Cane, and Red Rivers and laid siege works, earning its designation as the 97th United States Colored Troops on April 4, 1864. Near Alexandria, they helped construct Bailey’s Dam, enabling Admiral Porter’s fleet to escape from shallow water. They also completed pontoon bridges at Yellow Bayou and Chactaw Bayou, and took part in the fight at Yellow Bayou, suffering casualties of 1 officer and 6 enlisted men killed and 2 officers and 24 enlisted men wounded.

During the campaign against Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely in 1865, the 97th USCT served in an engineer brigade that supported the siege and built and repaired fortifications around Mobile. They built a critical wharf at Starke’s Landing south of Spanish Fort to speed up supply and medical evacuations, then helped fortify Blakeley and Mobile. By July 1865, they were present at Independence Day celebrations in Mobile, marking a significant moment for African Americans.

The regiment continued duty in Mobile and Florida areas and, after serving as guards for pay and ordnance operations, Mustered out on April 6, 1866, in Mobile, Alabama. Notable commanders included George D. Robinson, George A. Harmount, and Arnout Cannon. By the end, the 97th had earned a reputation as one of the oldest and most experienced colored regiments in service.