The Military Service of Private Thomas Rice

Years ago, my great uncle passed away. He was ninety-three years old and lived a relatively quiet life in his final years. After his death, it was my family’s responsibility to close out his house, going room by room, collecting books, framed family pictures, clearing out his closets, boxing his belongings to be donated, and assigning his personal items to various family members. I was about thirteen years old and had no interest in anything being distributed. I do not remember my parents taking anything away, so once we closed out his house, I thought that that was the end of his time on earth and all his earthly possessions, until a few years ago.

In my parent’s basement there was a rather large, framed drawing, 30” x 38” that was stored in a lightly dimmed corner. The artwork had been there for years and I had never questioned what it was or who made it. One day, I decided to take a closer look at the framed piece and discovered it was not a work of art in the sense that it was done by an artist, however it was a beautifully illustrated military document. It was the Civil War discharge paper of Private Thomas Rice, a relative of my father. I was stunned by this ‘discovery’ that was stored in my parent’s basement for more than forty years. My parents found the document in my uncle’s attic once he passed away and decided to take possession of it. In a hand-crafted wooden, Victorian style, frame the document, with slight water damage, reads in part:

“To all whom it may concern, know ye that, Thomas Rice, a private of Captain J.B. Reads, later, J. H. Richards Co. “G” 19^th Regiment U.S.C.T. (United States Colored Troops) Infantry Cols who was enrolled in the 1^st day of January 1864 to serve three years or during the war, is hereby discharged from the service of the United States this 15^th day of January 1867 at Brownsville, Texas…” It goes on to say, “Thomas Rice was born in Calvert County, state of Maryland, is 18 years of age, 5 feet 5 inches high, black complexion, black eyes, black hair, and by occupation when enrolled, a farmer.”

What an astounding piece of American history. To know and to have primary source evidence that a family member served in a war, that was the catalyst for freedom for millions of enslaved African Americans, is a profound and overwhelming feeling. Overcome with disbelief, I had many questions. What is my relationship to Private Rice? What battles did the 19^th Regiment fight in? What had his life been like as a farmer before enlisting in the military? History tells us he was more than likely enslaved. Perhaps he enlisted in the military for his very own freedom. Geoffrey C. Ward writes in The Civil War, “Whether in the loyal slave states of the Union or in the heart of the Confederacy, the slaves themselves had to make their freedom real. Thousands of slave men gained freedom for themselves and their families by enlisting for military service.”[1] My relative made a decision that changed the course of history for himself, and approximately four million others held in bondage under the system of chattel slavery. Holding a historical document in your hands that represents patriotism, freedom, and democracy will give you a sense of pride and dignity that surpasses any accomplishment you’ve ever experienced.

This primary source document is the first step to researching and learning more about Private Thomas Rice and his place on my family tree. His discharge paper released him from military service, but it ignites a desire to learn more about him and his life during the 19^th century and to connect our family to a legacy of bravery, valor, and the fight for freedom.

Photo credit: Stacey Queen Military discharge document of Private Thomas Rice, 1867

Bibliography

Ward, Geoffrey. The Civil War. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc, 1990.

[1] Geoffrey C. Ward. “The Civil War.” New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. 1990. p. 181.