Wednesday marked the 150th anniversary of the Union’s first black regiment. In honor of those who have served, a wreath was placed by two men’s names on the American Civil War Memorial on U Street who are believed to be ancestors of First lady Michelle Obama.
Jerry Sutton was the stepfather of the First lady’s great- grandfather and served at the Battle of Brice’s Crossroads in Mississippi in 1864.
Caesar Cohen, who was 25 when he joined the United States Colored Troops, was Michelle Obama’s great-great-grandfather.
Both Sutton and Cohen deserted the war after some time and became among the first generation of African American landowners.
The African American Civil War Memorial is located on U Street just across from the African American Civil War Museum.
