Bicentennial Commission to commemorate site of monument honoring Illinois’ only black Civil War troops

QUINCY — Chuck Scholz, former Quincy mayor now service as chairman of the Adams County Bicentennial Commission, will welcome the Buffalo Soldiers to Quincy at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, in front of First Baptist Church, 739 N. Eighth.

The visit will take place relatively close to the future site of a monument commemorating the 29th United States Colored Infantry Regiment, the only regiment of black troops formed in Illinois during the Civil War. A facsimile of the planned monument will be displayed during the event, providing a preview of what will soon become a permanent tribute to these courageous soldiers.

“This site represents a powerful part of our local and national history,” Scholz said in a press release. “It is an honor to welcome the Buffalo Soldiers as we continue to tell the story of the 29th and ensure their bravery is remembered for generations to come.”

The public is invited to attend.