"24th Regt. U.S. Colored Troops. Let Soldiers in War, Be Citizens in Peace," ca. 1865

This is a photograph of the United States Colored Troops, 24th Regiment’s flag. On it is an African-American soldier standing atop a hill in the middle of a battlefield with his arms stretched upwards towards the words “Fiat Justitia.”

Courtesy of Library of Congress, "24th Regt. U.S. Colored Troops. Let Soldiers in War, Be Citizens in Peace," ca. 1865

Description

This is a photograph of the United States Colored Troops, 24th Regiment’s flag. On it is an African-American soldier standing atop a hill in the middle of a battlefield with his arms stretched towards the sky. Just above his hands are the words "Fiat Justitia," a Latin phrase meaning, "Let justice be done." Two other soldiers appear to be doing the same thing in the background. The words above the veteran reads, "Let Soldiers in War, Be Citizens in Peace."

Source-Dependent Questions

What were the men of the 24th Regiment fighting the Civil War for?
Fiat Justitia is a Latin phrase meaning, "Let justice be done." What justice might all African Americans, both those formerly enslaved and not, have been searching for once the war ended?
What rights guaranteed by the government would presumably come with citizenship for African Americans after the war?

Citation Information

"24th Regt. U.S. Colored Troops. Let Soldiers in War, Be Citizens in Peace," ca. 1865. Courtesy of Library of Congress