Memorial to the 2nd Regiment Infantry, U.S. Colored Troops (Fort Myers, Florida)

Memorial to the 2nd Regiment Infantry, U.S. Colored Troops (Fort Myers, Florida)

Subject (Topic)
African Americans--History
Florida--Fort Myers
Public art
Public sculpture
United States Colored Troops

Subject (Object Type)
Commemorative sculpture

The over life-sized work depicts a sergeant in the United States Colored Troops 2nd Regiment standing in front of an open gate within a wall. The soldier is framed by two granite plaques mounted on each wall. The plaque on the left is a description of the important contribution of the 2nd Regiment during the Civil War. The plaque on the right contains a poem, written by D.J. Wilkins.

Wilkins, D. J., 1945-2021

Photographs by Renée Ater

November 11, 1998

Fort Myers Beautification Advisory Board; City of Fort Myers, Florida

City of Fort Myers, 2200 Second Street, Fort Myers, Florida, 33901, United States

JPEG

English

Visual Arts-Sculpture

Centennial Park, 2000 W First St, Fort Myers, FL 33901, United States

Inscription on left plaque:
This Memorial is dedicated to The 2nd Regiment Infantry, U.S. Colored Troops and Companies D and I which served at The Battle of Fort Myers. On July 20, 1861, U.S. Army Officer Major French wrote to U.S. Naval Officer McKean, "I have information that a schooner fitted out as a slaver is in the Caloosahatchee River. Her appointments, I am told, are full...." On February 20, 1865, Confederates of the 1st Battalion, Florida Special Cavalry attacked Fort Myers. The attack erupted into a cannon duel with the 2nd USCT in charge of artillery. The New York Times reported: "The colored soldiers [at Fort Myers] were in the thick of the fight. Unconscious of danger,their constant cry was to 'get at them'...." At nightfall, the Confederate force withdrew. A Confederate participant later recalled: "It was seen that nothing was accomplished." The Battle of Fort Myers marked the final action of the 2nd USCT in South Florida. Companies D and I left Fort Myers in March of 1865. Fort Myers was then decommissioned. USCT Troops freed and enlisted over 1,000 of the enslaved in Florida during the Civil War."

Bronze; Granite; Concrete

Calligan, Tara. "An About-Face: A Monument Honoring Black Union Soldiers is Re-Turned to Face Centennial Park in Downtown Fort Myers." WGCU PBS and NPR for Southwest Florida, July 31, 2022. Accessed February 11, 2026. https://www.wgcu.org/2022-07-29/about-face-a-monument-honoring-black-union-soldiers-turns-towards-centennial-park.

Alan Skerrett, Jr, ed. "Monuments to the United States Colored Troops (USCT) [African American Civil War Soldiers: The List." Jubilo! The Emancipation Century Blog, May 30, 2011. Accessed February 11, 2026. https://jubiloemancipationcentury.wordpress.com/2011/05/30/monuments-to-the-united-states-colored-troops-usct-the-list/.

Renée Ater

Sculpture