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Interest in black soldiers who fought for Union grows in NC

North Carolinians researching the history of black troops who fought for the Union in the Civil War say they're seeing more interest in those soldiers.
Civil War cannon (Photo: gator1time, Getty Images)

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - North Carolinians researching the history of black troops who fought for the Union in the Civil War say they're seeing more interest in those soldiers.

A Civil War event this weekend at the New Bern Academy Museum will include an event involving re-enactors from both the Confederacy and the U.S. Colored Troops. A grant allowed the re-enactors from the 35th U.S. Colored Troops to get uniforms and be trained on the regiment's history.

And in Goldsboro, a local research group is planning an encampment and other events for the 135th U.S. Colored Troops in April.

North Carolina has one monument to the African-American soldiers, in Hertford.

Historians estimate that about 180,000 African-Americans fought for the Union, including about 5,000 from North Carolina.

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