Once the 135th USCT enlisted in Goldsboro, N.C., the men were issued the blue Union Army uniforms with the famous brass buttons with the freedom eagle on them.
Research on their pension records reveals that the regiment's men felt very proud to be fighting for their freedom.
Upon leaving Goldsboro, the 135th marched as part of Sherman's army and left their picks and shovels behind. They were now soldiers. They marched to Raleigh, the state's capital. Then it was into Virginia to Petersburg, Richmond, Fredericksburg and Alexandria.
Then came one of the regiment's proudest moments as the 135th marched with Sherman's army in the Grand Review in Washington, D.C., on May 24, 1865. In their pension records, they proudly say that they marched past the president of the United States under their own regimental flag. (I was surprised to see that they participated in the Grand Review as I thought that no USCT were allowed in it.)
Following a brief time in D.C. and performing guard duty at Fort Kearny, on of the capital's defenses, the 135th was transported by train then boat to Louisville, Kentucky, where they performed more guard duty until mustering out on October 23, 1865.
--Old Secesh
