United States Colored Regiments Memorial Monument

Location: Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 122 East St., Windsor, CT During the American Civil War (1861 – 1865), African American soldiers fought two battles simultaneously: one against the Confederacy to preserve the Union, and another against racial discrimination within the military itself. Serving in segregated units and often assigned the most dangerous or labor-intensive duties, they demonstrated extraordinary courage, resilience, and determination in the face of unequal treatment. Their service became a powerful affirmation of freedom, dignity, manhood, and the pursuit of full citizenship. By the end of the war, nearly 180,000 Black soldiers and approximately 20,000 Black sailors had made an indispensable contribution to the Union victory. The story of Windsor's African American Civil War veterans reflects this broader national legacy. Nineteen African American men known to have connections to Windsor, Connecticut, served in the Connecticut 29th Colored Infantry Regiment, the 31st United States Colored Troops, the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry Regiment, the 14th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery Regiment (Colored), and the U.S. Navy. Their service is commemorated by the United States Colored Regiments Memorial Monument at Windsor Veterans Memorial Cemetery, which preserves their legacy while serving as an educational resource, a source for those researching their family history, and a place of remembrance for future generations. In April of 2026, the monument was designated the newest site on the Connecticut Freedom Trail and the seventh site on the Windsor Freedom Trail. It is located in the Windsor Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 122 East Street, and is open to the public.