JANUARY 29, 1864:
At Fair Haven, Connecticut, Frederick Douglass delivered an address to the assembled men of
the 29th and 30th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry
regiments (U.S.C.T.). In part, he said,
You are the pioneers
of the liberty of your race. With the United States cap on your head, the
United States eagle on your belt, the United States musket on your shoulder,
not all the powers of darkness can prevent you from becoming American citizens.
And not for yourselves alone are you marshaled — you are pioneers — on you
depends the destiny of four millions of the colored race in this country . . . If
you rise and flourish, we shall rise and flourish. If you win freedom and
citizenship, we shall share your freedom and citizenship.
