A broken 85-year-old headstone uncovered recently in Gary’s Oak Hill Cemetery bears the name of John Eubanks, a former Kentucky slave set free after Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.
During the interview, Eubanks’ daughter asked him if the Eubanks family mistreated him. He answered no.
Eubanks told Koritz he walked 35 miles to Bowling Green, Ky., where he joined a unit that was part of Gen. William “Tecumseh” Sherman’s regiment. With 1,500 soldiers, Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest savagely attacked the 567 Union troops at the fort. During the battle, nearly 200 Black soldiers died and historians said the massacre became a rally cry for the former slaves and strengthened their resolve.Forrest went on to become the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan in 1867.
After Congress passed the 15th amendment granting Black men the right to vote, Eubanks remembers casting his first vote for Ulysses Grant in 1872. He told Koritz he continued to vote in every election until old age halted him from walking to the polls. He died a year later and family members buried him in Oak Hill Cemetery. His obituary listed 15 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren.IUN’s Pekarek also tracked down Eubanks’ biographer, Archie Koritz, who graduated from Valparaiso Law School in 1928.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
San Diego police seek gunman who opened fire during failed robbery attempt in Oak ParkPolice identified the suspect as Darrick Anthony Coleman, and said he fired a shot at a college student trying to finish a photography assignment and refused to give up his camera
Read more »
Cook County to raze buildings at former Oak Forest HospitalRedevelopment of the former Oak Forest Hospital will begin in the coming months as Cook County begins a three-year program to demolish 50 buildings on the 153-acre site.
Read more »
'Just lucky to be alive': Oak Harbor residents clean up after severe storm damageMost farms and homes up and down W. Hetwick Road and State Route 19 in Ottawa County were hit hard by the severe storms.
Read more »
Man accused of starting Oak fire that destroyed 127 homes near Yosemite is arrestedA 71-year-old man was arrested Friday on suspicion of arson for igniting the massive Oak fire in Mariposa County last year that destroyed 127 residences and dozens of outbuildings, prosecutors and investigators announced.
Read more »
Oak Wildfire on Highway 83 leads to road closure south of TucsonThe Rincon Valley Fire District along with other crews have responded to a large fire on Highway 83 at milepost 42. MORE ⬇️
Read more »