New Haven Independent

They’ve raised a lot of the money already, but are hoping that Gov. Jodi Rell will put $176,000 in bond funding approved last year onto the Bond Commission’s agenda so they can move ahead with the project.

Just over 1,000 men of color — both African American and native American — volunteered with the Connecticut 29th Colored Regiment, which was led by white officers. They fought in five battles in Virginia in 1864.

“There is nothing in this state to honor these guys. Wouldn’t it be a grand idea if we could pool our resources and seek out some financial help and erect a monument?” asked Mero, the great-grandson of two members of the regiment and president of the descendants’ group.

They plan to build a monument at Criscuolo Park (in photo), near Chapel and James streets, where the Mill River empties into New Haven Harbor. That’s the site where the regiment first rendezvoused, at Fort Terry, which no longer exists. The nine-foot obelisk will be surrounded by smaller elements, arranged in a horseshoe facing the harbor.

It will include the likenesses of two quarter-sergeants from New Haven (at left). The monument is being designed by Ed Hamilton, the sculptor who created the statue of Amistad revolt leader Cinque that stands in front of City Hall.

As was the practice during the Civil War, the colored regiment was led by white officers.

“They did enjoy a good relationship with their officers,” Mero said. “There are some reports of some prejudice, but it was 1863. In fact, many of the officers in this location taught the men reading and writing. Part of the recruitment initiative was that these men were promised the right to vote, on the successful completion of the war, when they got home. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. But, these guys decided to use this opportunity to organize themselves and get involved politically. So the majority of them joined the Republican Party and decided to fight from within, and eventually they did get that right to vote.”

The group first organized in 1996 under the leadership of Mero’s brother, Albert, and Emanuel (Manny) Gomez, reaching out to other descendants. State Rep. Juan Candelario, whose district includes the monument site, sponsored $47,000 in bond funding two years ago.

The group (which includes Albert and Harrison Mero’s sister, Jeannette Thomas, with Harrison at left) has raised a similar amount privately, but they need significantly more to finish the project, so State Sen. Toni Harp sponsored another bonding resolution for $176,000 in 2005. It’s now waiting for Gov. Jodi Rell to put it on the Bonding Commission’s agenda. Harp said she and the other senator representing New Haven, Majority Leader Martin Looney, have sent Rell a letter asking her to do that. “This is a statewide initiative,” she said, “since descendants of the 29th live all over the state.”

Mero said his group is initiating a postcard campaign to encourage the governor to move on the issue.