Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 20 April 2000 — Page 27

The Muncie Times, April 20, 2000, page 27 *

Area actors bring to life the Civil War

them than they think. We look forward to the opportunity of giving this program to the school children of Muncie, and we appreciate this opportunity to work together to make this program happen. African American Civil War Soldiers Many of the African American Regiments during the United States Civil War were designated “United States Colored Troops (USCT)” Interact with Maj. Martin R. Delany of the 104th US Colored Infantry and Color-Sergeant Andrew J. Smith of the 55th Colored Volunteers Massachusetts Regiment.

A Civil War reenactment will take place at Beech Grove Cemetary at 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and noon to 1:30 p.m. April 27. This event is being sponsored by the Muncie Commision on the Social Status of Black Males and is open to the public. Amore interactive presentation will also be presented at 7:00 p.m. at Minnetrista Cultural Center. In the event of rain, we will move the program to the Muncie Field House. Time will remain the same, but the structure of the program will change. Instead of having students move from station to station, we will present the program “in the round.” One actor/reenactor at a time will present his/her character to the students. We are currently researching venue availability. We are genuinely excited about offering “The Spirit

of Freedom” to Muncie Community Schools’ students. In interpreting the day to day lives of African American soldiers, the program brings an almost completely unknown piece of American History to life for school children. The mix of children and black actors and reenactors demonstrates the integrated nature of life and history, something often missed in more segregated approaches to history. “The Spirit of Freedom” has the potential to take education to a depth that textbooks simply cannot reach; moreover, it provides teachers with myriad crosscurriculum and interdisciplinary possibilities. Most importantly, perhaps, “The Spirit of Freedom” presents history in an engaging way, capturing the attention of school age children and perhaps teaching them that history is closer to

Learn about the United States Civil War (18611865) from the perspective of the African American soldier. Martin Robinson Delany was an author, physician, colonizationist, abolitionist and editor from Pittsburgh. Doctor Delany was the first African American to attain the rank of Major, as a Field Officer, in U. S. military history. Andrew Jackson Smith was a runaway slave from Kentucky who was among the first to join an African American regiment in the North. Sergeant Smith went on to distinguish himself on the battlefield. Reserve a date to have Major Delany and ColorSergeant Smith bring history to you. Interact with the Characters

The first-person interactive presentation is based on real personalities. Members of the audience become active participants in an interpretive scene that takes place near the end of the war in 1865. Inspect authentic reproductions—Civil War uniforms worn by the characters. The Presenters Khabir Shareef portrays Maj. Martin R. Delany. Khabir is an actor and storyteller. Andrew Bowman portrays his own grandfather, Andrew Jackson Smith. Andy is a storyteller and Civil War researcher. Khabir and Andy have researched and presented at schools, festivals, libraries, churches and other organizations since 1989. This forty-five minute presentation includes a question-and-answer session at its conclusion. The presentation can be adapted to fit other time considerations. To receive additional information or reserve a booking, please rcall: (317) 687-0299 or E-mail: [email protected] Ex-slave’s family fights to get Civil War hero’s medal By Sharon Cohen The Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS—The rifles crackled and cannons boomed that November day long ago when Andrew Jackson Smith charged into battle, a former slave dodging enemy fire as he picked his way among the

bodies of Union comrades. As he rushed across a narrow bridge, the color sergeant at his side was hit. Grabbing the dying soldier, he heard his commander shout: “For God’s sake, Smith, save the flag!” And Smith did, catching the falling colors the sergeant carried. Smith was a hero that day in 1864 on a South Carolina battlefield. His commander wrote about it. His comrades talked about it. But his government never acknowledged it. Still, his family never forgot it—especially his daughter. She always suspected racism was the reason the black Civil War veteran was rejected for the Medal of Honor in 1917. She fought to reverse the decision. When old age slowed her down, her nephew took over. They’re now just one step away from getting the medal, but that’s one big hurdle for Smith’s daughter, who has waited for the day since she was 9—and fears she may not live to see it. “I am now 92,” Caruth Smith Washington says, her voice rising in exasperation. “If there’s one thing I’m asking God, just to let him get the medal. If ever a man deserves it, he does.” “I just want it in my hands so I can see it,” she adds from her nursing home in New Jersey. “I would feel like something had been accomplished. Then I would be ready to go to my maker.”