11th United States Colored Infantry Regiment (New)

The 11th United States Colored Infantry (USCI) Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Recruited primarily in New Jersey and to a lesser extent from Pennsylvania and New York, it was one of several United States Colored Troops (USCT) regiments formed to allow African Americans to fight for their freedom and the preservation of the Union.

The regiment was officially organized at Camp William Penn, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and mustered into federal service in the fall of 1863. Camp William Penn was a major training ground for USCT regiments. The 11th USCI was composed of free Black men and formerly enslaved individuals seeking to contribute to the Union cause.

The 11th USCI saw active service primarily in the Department of the South, particularly in Florida and South Carolina. They participated in various engagements, including the Battle of Olustee (also known as the Battle of Ocean Pond) in Florida in February 1864, where they fought bravely but suffered significant casualties. The regiment also performed garrison duty and participated in raids and skirmishes against Confederate forces in the region.

Following the end of the Civil War, the 11th USCI was mustered out of service. Its members returned to civilian life, many facing continued challenges in a society still grappling with racial inequality. The service of the 11th USCI, along with other USCT regiments, played a crucial role in the Union victory and helped to advance the cause of emancipation and civil rights for African Americans. Records of the regiment and its soldiers are valuable resources for genealogical research and historical study of the USCT and the Civil War.