Blanket

Description

Standard, wool blanket issued by the Union Army during the Civil War, circa 1864; stenciled with the name "A. Craig" and stitched "US." Abraham Craig (1830-c. 1888) was a free African American man, born in Allegany County, Maryland. By 1860, he was working as a farmhand with his family in Bryantown, Charles County, Maryland. On February 27, 1864, Abraham enlisted for a three year term at Camp Stanton, in nearby Benedict, as a private with Company G, 30th United States Colored Infantry (USCT). He was paid a $2 enlistment premium, and during the course of the war, withdrew a hat badge, shoulder scales, knapsack, one-half shelter tent, and bugle from the quartermaster. Abraham appears to have been a bugler for his regiment and was present for all of their major actions during the Wilderness campaign, Battle of the Crater, and union invasion of North Carolina. After the war, he was stationed with the 30th in various duty points in North Carolina before he was discharged at Roanoke Island on December 10, 1865 and paid out $300. He returned to farming with his family in Aquasco, Charles County, Maryland. Abraham died around 1888 and is buried with other soldiers of the 30th USCT at Sumner Cemetery in his native Cumberland, Allegany County, Maryland.