Joseph T. Wilson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Joseph T. Wilson
Wilson as depicted in The Black Phalanx (1888)
Born	c. 1837 Norfolk, Virginia, US
Died	September 25, 1891
Known for	Activism, writing, lecturing
Notable work	The Black Phalanx

Joseph Thomas Wilson (born around 1837, died 1891) was an important American journalist, politician, and writer. He fought in the American Civil War, including with the brave 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. After the war, he worked to publish newspapers and was a strong member of the Republican Party. Wilson was also a successful author. His book, The Black Phalanx (published in 1888), was very popular. It is known as one of the best studies of African American soldiers from that time.

Joseph T. Wilson: A Life of Service

Early Life and Fighting in the Civil War

Joseph T. Wilson was born in Norfolk, Virginia, around 1836 or 1837. His mother, Louisa Wilson, was likely free. His father, Bristow, was enslaved. Joseph was described as "mulatto," meaning he had mixed heritage. He left Norfolk for his safety and went to schools in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

According to his own writings, Wilson worked on a whaling ship for three years. He learned about the start of the American Civil War in 1862. This was when his ship docked in Valparaíso, Chile. He quickly returned to the United States.

Wilson first tried to join a New York regiment. But he had to leave after they realized he was Black. So, he traveled to New Orleans. There, he joined the 2nd Louisiana Native Guard Infantry Regiment in September 1862. He fought in the Siege of Port Hudson. Wilson became very sick and was honorably discharged (meaning he left the army with good standing).

After moving back to Massachusetts, Wilson joined the famous 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. He was injured in the Battle of Olustee in February 1864. He was discharged in May 1864 because of his injury. Later, in September 1864, he helped as a boat pilot in an attempt to capture Fort Fisher. For a time, Wilson also worked for the secret service of the Army of the James.

Even though Wilson was permanently disabled from his war injury, he tried for 25 years to get a military pension (money paid regularly to former soldiers). Sadly, he was not successful for a long time. In 1868, he married Elizabeth Hattie Smith. They had three children, but none of them lived past childhood.

Fighting for Rights After the War

In early 1865, Wilson moved back to Norfolk. He first worked in a store. Then, he became the editor of a newspaper called The True Southerner. He helped start the Colored Monitor Union Club in April 1865. This group worked for suffrage, which means the right to vote. They voted in the May 25 elections, but their votes were not counted.

In June 1865, Wilson was part of a group that wrote an important message. It was called "Address from the Colored Citizens of Norfolk, Virginia, to the People of the United States." This message asked for equal rights for Black people, especially the right to vote. It warned that former slave owners might try to take away the rights of newly freed people. It also suggested that African Americans could buy land together.

In 1866, a white mob destroyed the printing press of The True Southerner while Wilson was still its editor. He then moved to Petersburg, Virginia. There, he started another newspaper called The Union Republican in 1867. In the 1870s, he returned to Norfolk. He worked for the government, checking customs and taxes. He also held a high position in the Grand Army of the Republic, a group for Civil War veterans. Later, back in Petersburg, Wilson published The American Sentinel and The Right Way in the 1880s.

Wilson was very active in politics as a member of the Republican Party. After the Reconstruction Acts were passed in 1867, he joined many party events. He was known for his "radical voice," meaning he strongly pushed for change. He was elected to the Norfolk City Council in 1870. Six years later, he ran for Congress but did not win. He supported Ulysses S. Grant in the 1872 presidential election. Four years later, he voted for Rutherford B. Hayes as a presidential elector. In 1871, his house was attacked because of his activism. Wilson continued to speak out and publish widely for the rights of Black people. He also criticized the Readjuster Party.

Writing History: The Black Phalanx

After the Civil War ended, Wilson began researching Black history. In 1882, he published Emancipation: Its Course and Progress. This book covered Black history from 1481 BC to 1875 AD. It was a very big topic for a 242-page book.

Also in 1882, the Grand Army of the Republic asked Wilson to write a history of the regiment he served with. This led to his most famous work, The Black Phalanx, published in 1888. This book told the story of Black soldiers in the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the American Civil War. It was 19 chapters and 528 pages long. It also included short biographies of important figures. Most of the book focused on the Civil War.

The Black Phalanx was published in three different editions. The American Publishing Company worked hard to make the book a success. They sold it door-to-door and advertised widely. Their efforts paid off! Three years later, educator Irvine Garland Penn wrote that its sales were higher than any other book written by an African American.

Historians today recognize The Black Phalanx as a very important book. It was displayed at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900. Historians like Arthur Schomburg and John Edward Bruce called it a key book in its field. Carter G. Woodson, another famous historian, said in 1944 that it helped shape his understanding of history. Scholar Donald Yacovone said it was the "most comprehensive study of African American military service" for at least a generation after it came out.

Later Life and Legacy

Joseph T. Wilson died on September 25, 1891. Even though The Black Phalanx was very successful when it was first published, it didn't get much attention for a long time. Wilson himself has often been "overshadowed" by other historians like George Washington Williams. However, his work remains a vital source for understanding the history of Black soldiers in America.