Willadine Johnson knew she was a descendent of a Civil War soldier. But her genealogical interest became a memorial passion when she discovered the name and military records of Corp. Rufus Vann.
Her great-great-grandfather served with Company E of the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Regiment at the Battle of Island Mound.
At 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Missouri State Museum in Jefferson City, Johnson will tell Vann's story of being freed before the war by his Cherokee owners in the Oklahoma Territory and yet choosing to enlist to fight in the war.
She also will discuss the historical significance of the Battle of Island Mound, the first time African-American troops were engaged in Civil War combat, at the museum's monthly Museum After Hours.
"You can't believe the rich history of our family," she said.
Johnson has been telling her ancestor's story for several years, even being featured in the Kansas City Star's Civil War book series and the Missouri State Parks' documentary.
"She has such passion, and it's amazing to actually hear a story from an actual family member," said Chris Fritsche of the Missouri State Museum. "We learn so much from books and second/third sources; it's great to learn things from the family."
In addition, this is a little-known piece of Civil War history that should be given more attention, Fritsche said.
The state parks program acquired land adjacent to the battle site in Bates County, the site of the regiment's Fort Africa, and added it as the 87th historic site in 2012. The film, featuring Johnson and her stories, won two Emmy Awards in October for cinematography and historical documentary.
Johnson was able to stand on the battleground of her ancestor in 2011 and was significantly involved in the development of the historic site on 40 acres.
Wherever Johnson goes, she takes her documents with her, the Kansas Citian said.
Not only was the battle the first to involve black troops, even before the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, featured in the movie "Glory," was mustered into service, it was three months before President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, Johnson said.
"I want history to be correct," she said.
As for her ancestor, Vann was born a slave about 1819 to a Cherokee family in Calhoun, Georgia. He crossed the Trail of Tears with them, Johnson said.
After his owner freed him, his wife and their 10 children, he chose to enlist in August 1863.
"When they were free, they could have gone on to Canada; he didn't have to do that," she said.
James Lane, a friend of Lincoln's, took the initiative to form a unit of black soldiers in fall 1863 in Kansas, despite approval not being officially given yet, Johnson said.
She proposes the Kansas regiment's success that day may have influenced the addition of black soldiers throughout the Union the next year.
After that November 1863 battle, Vann served with the regiment in other skirmishes throughout Missouri, Indian Territory and Arkansas. Like many soldiers of the Civil War-era, Vann succumbed to acute diarrhea, the result of poor conditions, in February 1865.
Johnson is proud of the photo she has of his burial marker in the Little Rock, Arkansas, National Cemetery, and she hopes to visit there soon, she said. She also is quick to show off the Presidential Memorial Certificate recently awarded for Vann's service.
"This is a true story that a lot of people don't know," Johnson said. By speaking Wednesday at the museum, she said she hopes "more people will begin to do more research on it."
Related:
Island Mound recognized for historical significance
Links:
www.mostateparks.com/park/battle-island-mound-state-historic-site
www.mostateparks.com/shop/civilwar.htm
Note: The photo of Willadine Johnson was taken by Keith Myers and republished by permission of the Kansas City Star. Attribution was omitted in the original version of the photo caption posted to this article.