Prince Romerson facts for kids

Prince Romerson (born around 1840 – died March 30, 1872) was a brave soldier in the Union Army. He was of Native Hawaiian descent. He was one of many "Hawaiʻi Sons of the Civil War." This group included over 100 Native Hawaiian and Hawaii-born fighters. They served in the American Civil War even though the Kingdom of Hawaii was an independent country at the time.

Before the war, Romerson lived in the American Northeast. In 1863, he joined the Union Navy. He was part of the Blockading Squadrons. Their job was to stop ships from entering or leaving ports of the Confederacy. This was called the Union blockade.

After his time in the Navy, he joined the Union Army. He became part of the 5th Regiment Massachusetts Colored Volunteer Cavalry. This was a special regiment for African American soldiers, known as United States Colored (USCT) regiments. He was promoted to sergeant in 1864. Romerson fought with this regiment until the war ended. Later, he became a Buffalo Soldier. He died in 1872.

In 2010, the Hawaiʻi Sons of the Civil War were honored. A bronze plaque was placed at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. This memorial helps us remember their service.

Why Hawaiians Joined the War

After the American Civil War started, King Kamehameha IV of Hawaii declared his country neutral. This meant Hawaii would not pick a side. However, many Native Hawaiians and Americans born in Hawaii still chose to fight. They joined military groups in both the Union and the Confederacy.

Hawaiians had fought in American wars before. They served in the U.S. Navy and Army as early as the War of 1812. Many more joined during the Civil War. There were different reasons why they joined. Some Hawaiians living abroad sought adventure and money. Unemployed sailors from whaling ships often joined the Union Navy.

Many Hawaiians also supported the Union because of Hawaii's strong ties to New England. This connection came from missionaries and the whaling industry. Also, many people in Hawaii were against slavery.

Prince Romerson's Early Life

Prince Romerson was born around 1840. We don't know much about his early life. His first name, "Prince," does not mean he was royalty. His last name was sometimes spelled "Robinson."

His birth records list his birthplace as "Owyhee, Sandwich Island." This is the island of Hawaii. Some records also say he was born in "India". There is also some debate about his background. Some historians from the Philippines believe he was Filipino. He is listed among Filipino American Civil War fighters.

The Union Blockading Fleet engaging Confederate Rams off the coast of South Carolina, 1863

Before joining the military in 1863, Romerson worked as a barber. It is believed he came to the United States as a sailor. He likely traveled on a merchant or whaling ship from the Pacific. Hawaiian sailors were highly respected in the 18th and 19th centuries. They were often sought after as crew members. We know Romerson was living in New York before he joined the Navy.

Serving in the Navy and Army

Romerson joined the Union Navy on January 22, 1863. He served as a landsman. This rank was for new recruits with little sea experience. He served on ships like the USS Wamsutta and USS Mercedita. These ships were part of the Blockading Squadrons. Their job was to maintain the blockade of Confederate ports.

After serving in the Navy for a year, Romerson joined the Army. He became a private in Company M of the 5th Regiment Massachusetts Colored Volunteer Cavalry. This company was formed on May 5, 1865. Like most Native Hawaiians in the war, Romerson was assigned to a "colored regiment." This was due to his dark skin and the military's policy of keeping races separate.

Romerson is one of the few Hawaiian soldiers whose real name is known. Many Hawaiian fighters used English-sounding nicknames. These were easier for English-speaking Americans to pronounce. They were often listed as kanakas. This was a 19th-century term for Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Their origin was often noted as the "Sandwich Islands" (Hawaii). Another Hawaiian soldier, Charles Heatley, served in the same regiment.

Enlistment card for Prince Romerson

Historian Ruthanne Lum McCunn studied Romerson's military records. She noted that his service showed how officers treated people of color. Romerson was quickly promoted to sergeant on June 1, 1864. This might have been because he could read and write.

Romerson fought with his regiment in important battles. He was at the Second Battle of Petersburg. He also took part in the Richmond–Petersburg Campaign, known as the siege of Petersburg. He also guarded Confederate prisoners at Camp Lookout, Maryland.

After the Union victory at Appomattox, Romerson became ill. He was sent to a hospital in New Orleans in July 1865. He never fully recovered to rejoin his regiment. He was discharged from the Army on October 9, 1865.

After the Civil War

After the war, Romerson wanted to stay in the military. In 1867, he joined the 39th United States Infantry Regiment. He started at a lower rank, as a private. The 39th regiment later combined with the 40th. This formed the 25th United States Infantry Regiment.

This was a racially segregated unit of the U.S. Army. Its soldiers were called "Buffalo Soldiers." Many Civil War veterans from colored regiments, like Romerson, joined them. Romerson served in the 25th for three years. He fought in the American Indian Wars along the Texas frontier.

He died on March 30, 1872. He was likely at Fort Griffin, where he was first buried. On May 11, 1872, his body was moved. He was re-buried at the San Antonio National Cemetery.

Remembering His Legacy

Prince Romerson's service showed how Hawaiians were assigned to segregated units. It also showed the different ways they were treated. Historian McCunn said his "commitment to honorable service" was clear.

For many years after the war, the service of Hawaiians like Prince Romerson was forgotten. It was not often mentioned in the history of the Civil War or Hawaii. But in recent years, there has been new interest. Hawaiian residents, historians, and descendants of these fighters want to remember "our boys from Hawaii."

Efforts are being made to preserve their stories. On August 26, 2010, a bronze plaque was put up. It is at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. This plaque honors the "Hawaiʻi Sons of the Civil War." It remembers the more than 100 documented Hawaiians who fought in the Civil War. They served for both the Union and the Confederacy.

By 2014, researchers had found records for 119 Native Hawaiian and Hawaii-born fighters. The exact number is still unclear. This is because many Hawaiians used English nicknames. Also, detailed records are often missing.

In 2015, the National Park Service released a book. It was called Asians and Pacific Islanders and the Civil War. It discussed the many Asian and Pacific Islander soldiers who fought. The history of Hawaii's role and the lives of Romerson and others were included. These parts were written by historians Ruthanne Lum McCunn, Anita Manning, and Justin Vance.

Images for kids

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  The Union Blockading Fleet engaging Confederate Rams off the coast of South Carolina, 1863

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  Enlistment card for Prince Romerson