Born approximately 1834, William A. Francis enlisted in the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. The 54th Regiment, consisting of free blacks and former slaves, included 11 Albany residents and was featured in the movie "Glory." A waiter before and after the war, Francis rose to the rank of Sergeant, the second-highest ranking black soldier in the 54th, outranked only by Master Sergeant Lewis Douglass, son of abolitionist Frederick Douglass. He participated in all the 54th Regiment's battles between 1863 and 1865, and was honorably discharged in New York City in September 1865. Married, he and wife Rodisa had five children, two sons and three daughters – in order of age: Samuel, Emmalle, Jayce, Mary and Catherine.
More than a century after his death Albany Rural Cemetery researchers were involved in a project to identify Civil War veterans interred there. According to cemetery records, Francis was one of over 900 Civil War veterans at Albany Rural Cemetery, but his headstone could not be found. Digging at his presumed grave site, cemetery officials located his buried and broken stone. With money raised by Civil War re-enactors a new military headstone was installed. In a Memorial/Dedication service on October 7, 2009, William A. Francis, and all black Civil War soldiers, were honored. Attending the ceremony were many local dignitaries, Civil War re-enactors, Military Honor Guards, and the Patriot Guard Riders.
More than a century after his death Albany Rural Cemetery researchers were involved in a project to identify Civil War veterans interred there. According to cemetery records, Francis was one of over 900 Civil War veterans at Albany Rural Cemetery, but his headstone could not be found. Digging at his presumed grave site, cemetery officials located his buried and broken stone. With money raised by Civil War re-enactors a new military headstone was installed. In a Memorial/Dedication service on October 7, 2009, William A. Francis, and all black Civil War soldiers, were honored. Attending the ceremony were many local dignitaries, Civil War re-enactors, Military Honor Guards, and the Patriot Guard Riders.
Born approximately 1834, William A. Francis enlisted in the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. The 54th Regiment, consisting of free blacks and former slaves, included 11 Albany residents and was featured in the movie "Glory." A waiter before and after the war, Francis rose to the rank of Sergeant, the second-highest ranking black soldier in the 54th, outranked only by Master Sergeant Lewis Douglass, son of abolitionist Frederick Douglass. He participated in all the 54th Regiment's battles between 1863 and 1865, and was honorably discharged in New York City in September 1865. Married, he and wife Rodisa had five children, two sons and three daughters – in order of age: Samuel, Emmalle, Jayce, Mary and Catherine.
More than a century after his death Albany Rural Cemetery researchers were involved in a project to identify Civil War veterans interred there. According to cemetery records, Francis was one of over 900 Civil War veterans at Albany Rural Cemetery, but his headstone could not be found. Digging at his presumed grave site, cemetery officials located his buried and broken stone. With money raised by Civil War re-enactors a new military headstone was installed. In a Memorial/Dedication service on October 7, 2009, William A. Francis, and all black Civil War soldiers, were honored. Attending the ceremony were many local dignitaries, Civil War re-enactors, Military Honor Guards, and the Patriot Guard Riders.
More than a century after his death Albany Rural Cemetery researchers were involved in a project to identify Civil War veterans interred there. According to cemetery records, Francis was one of over 900 Civil War veterans at Albany Rural Cemetery, but his headstone could not be found. Digging at his presumed grave site, cemetery officials located his buried and broken stone. With money raised by Civil War re-enactors a new military headstone was installed. In a Memorial/Dedication service on October 7, 2009, William A. Francis, and all black Civil War soldiers, were honored. Attending the ceremony were many local dignitaries, Civil War re-enactors, Military Honor Guards, and the Patriot Guard Riders.
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