According to information provided by the West Virginia State Archives, the 45th US Colored Infantry is the one black regiment assigned to West Virginia during the Civil War. Most of these men were from Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. They were either escaped slaves eager to serve to further establish their "free" status, or "freedmen" from different states placed together near the conclusion of the war after African-American troops had proven their effectiveness.

List of colored men mustered into the service of the United States, to the credit of West Virginia, since the 1st day of April, 1864. Assigned to the 45th Reg't U. S. Colored Troops.

     Greg Carroll, former Historian at the Archives, stated, "It is an uphill battle doing genealogical research about black families, especially those with slave pasts. But these medals would be a wonderful reward for those that could make the connections."

     If you are related to any soldier of the 45th U.S. Colored Infantry whose medal is unclaimed, you are eligible to claim it if you can show proof of your relationship.

     You do not have to be a direct descendant; you can be a niece/nephew or cousin.

     There are probably many misspellings of the names in the list below but do not be deterred by that. If you think one of these men is your relative, discrepancies in spellings can often be sorted out with other records.

     For complete details about claiming a medal, contact the West Virginia State Archives website.

NAME - DATE OF ENLISTMENT - MEMORANDA

Addison, Mark; 30 Apr 1864; Killed 07 Oct 1864 - SERVICE RECORD
Allen, Edmund; 28 Jul 1864; b Carolina Co., Va. - SERVICE RECORD
Allen, George [Gustavus]; 26 Aug 1864; Substitute - SERVICE RECORD
Anderson, George; 25 Apr 1864 - SERVICE RECORD
Ankrum, Charles; 07 Sep 1864; b Harrison Co., (W)Va. - SERVICE RECORD
Atkins, Robert; 22 Feb 1865; b Franklin Co., Va. - SERVICE RECORD
Augustus, Charles; 05 Aug 1864; Substitute - SERVICE RECORD
Bailey, James; 07 Sep 1864; b Surrey Co., Va.
Baker, Harvey; 07 Jul 1864; b Bottetourt Co., Va.
Beckwood, David; 11 Oct 1864; b Hardy Co., (W)Va.
Benett (Bennet/Bennett), Doctor; 28 Jul 1864; b Bedford Co., Va.
Billops, Hiram; 22 May 1864
Blad, Presley; 05 May 1864
Boggess, Isaac; 05 Jun 1864 [Note: Discharged 3 May 1865. Died at Harrison Co., W.Va. Aug 1865, age 19.]
Bolden, Andrew; 22 Aug 1864; b Harrison Co., (W)Va.; Recruit
Bolen (Bollen), William A.; 29 Mar 1865; Substitute
Bowie, Tip; 22 Sep 1864; Drafted
Boyd, James; 01 Aug 1864; b Cherokee Co., Va.
Brady, James; 11 Oct 1864; b Hardy Co., (W)Va.
Brady, Jared; 13 Oct 1864; Substitute
Brown, Jesse; 12 May 1864
Brown, Rufus; 22 May 1864
Burke, George W.; 22 May 1864
Burks, Charles; 22 May 1864
Burks, James; 22 May 1864
Burks, Tyler; 22 May 1864
Butler, Julius; 25 Apr 1864
Callinder (Collender), George W.; 25 May 1864
Campbell, Henry; 16 Aug 1864; Substitute
Campbell, William; 07 Jul 1864; b Bedford Co., Va.
Chile, Selp (Selt; Sell); 11 Aug 1864; Substitute
Clark, George; 28 Feb 1865; b. Va.
Clark, Mitchell T.; 22 May 1864
Clay, Henry; 15 Feb 1865; b Greenbrier Co., (W)Va.
Copeland, David; 16 Feb 1865; Recruit; b Norfolk, Va. - Biography - Service Record
Crawford, John W.; 09 Aug 1864; b Rockbridge Co., Va.
Crenehall (Crenchall), Charles; 01 Aug 1864; b New Kent Co., Va.
Davis, George W.; 07 Jul 1864; b Fauquier Co., VA.
Davis, Jonathan; 03 Sep 1864; b Crawford Co., Va.
Dennis, Alexander; 07 Jul 1864; b Prince Edward Co., Va.
*Dennis, James; 07 Jul 1864; b Bedford Co., Va.
Dodd, Bur (Burr); 21 Mar 1865; b Harrison Co., (W)Va.
Dunott, George; 12 May 1864
Edmundson, George; 22 Aug 1864; b Rockbridge Co., Va.; Recruit
Ellis, James; 11 Jul 1864; b Orange Co., Va.
Fairfax, Henry; 07 Jul 1864; b Bottetourt Co., Va.
Farmer, Augustus; 22 May 1864
Field (Fields), Washington; 07 Jul 1864; b New Kent Co., Va.
Ford, Isaac; 07 Jul 1864; b Lynchburg, N.C.
Foster, Samuel; 25 Aug 1864; b Ohio Co., (W)Va.
Galbrath, George; 22 May 1864
Gates (Gater), Job; 11 Oct 1864; b Hardy Co., (W)Va.
Gordon, Zachariah; 07 Jul 1864; b Sussex Co., Va.
Graham, Lee; 18 Feb 1865; Substitute; not on U.S. Archives film
Grant, James; 07 Jul 1864; b Bedford Co., Va.; Laborer
Grason, David; 07 Jul 1864; b Augusta Co., Va.; Laborer
Gray, James; 07 Jul 1864; b Sussex Co., Va.; Laborer
Green, Joseph; 08 Aug 1864; b Rockbridge Co., Va.; Laborer
Grimes, Sawney (Lawney); 07 Jul 1864; b Orange Co., Va.; Not assigned; Servant
Hall, Basil; 27 Feb 1865; b Washington Co., Va.; Recruit; Servant
Hall, John P.; 25 Oct 1864; b Braxton Co., (W)Va.; Farmer
Hall, Philip; 07 Jul 1864; b Rockbridge Co., Va.; Laborer
Harris, David E.; 03 Mar 1865; Substitute
Harris, Scott; 07 Sep 1864; Substitute
Harrison, Levi; 22 May 1864
Hayes (Hays), Alfred; 15 Aug 1864; Substitute
Henry, Daniel; 07 Jul 1864; b Santee, N.C.; Laborer
Hickman, Floyd; 22 May 1864
Hickman, George W.; 22 May 1864
Hickman, Lewis; 22 May 1864
Hill, Henry B. (Henry P.); 13 Aug 1864; Substitute
Holliway, James (Charles??); (Charles 01 Jun 1864)
Hopkins, Campbell; 01 Jun 1864
Hunter, Nimrod; 25 Oct 1864; b Braxton County, (W)Va.; Farmer; Recruit
Hyson, Freeland; 28 Jul 1864; b Bedford Co., Va.; Farmer; Unassigned
Ironton, John Y.; 25 Aug 1864; b Amherst, Va.; Recruit; Laborer
Jackson, Henry; 04 Aug 1864; Substitute
Jasper, Shadrack (Shadrach); 07 Jul 1864; b Henrico Co., Va.; Unassigned; Laborer
Jenkins, Thomas; 07 Sep 1864
Johnson, Jesse; 25 Oct 1864; Substitute; b Braxton Co., (W)Va.; Recruit; Farmer
*Johnson, William; 22 May 1864
Jones, Chadrick; 06 Apr 1865; Substitute; not on Archives film
Jones, Edward; 09 Apr 1865; Drafted
Jones, Henry; 07 Jul 1864; b Sussex Co., Va.; Laborer
Jones, John Y.; 29 Mar 1865; Substitute
Jones (Gones), Thomas; 15 Aug 1864; b Jefferson Co., (W)Va.
Kerchenberry (Kerchenberg), Noah; 22 Nov 1864; Substitute
Kinney, Joseph (John); 08 Aug 1864; b Louisa Co., Va.; Recruit; Blacksmith
Kinney, Lee; 07 Sep 1864; b Augusta Co., Va.; Recruit; Farmer
Kyle, George W.; 25 Aug 1864; b Rockbridge Co., Va.; Recruit; Laborer
Lane, Richard; 07 Jul 1864; b Bedford Co., Va.; Unassigned; Laborer
Lawrentz, Joshua; 22 Aug 1864; b Edgecomb Co., N.C.; Recruit; Laborer
Lee, Ludwell; 25 Apr 1864
Leigh, Whedan; 30 Apr 1864
Lewis, Cruwley (Crawley); 14 Mar 1865; Drafted
Lewis, Henry; 08 Aug 1864; b Augusta Co., Va.; Recruit; Laborer
*Lewis, Isaac; 06 Aug 1864; Substitute
Lewis, John; 11 Aug 1864; Substitute
Lewis, Samuel; 03 Sep 1864; b Fauquier Co., Va.; Recruit; Farmer
Lewis, William; 16 Aug 1864
Lowry (Lowery), Sandy; 24 Aug 1864; Substitute
Lynn, Henry M.; 22 Aug 1864; b Taylor Co., (W)Va.; Recruit; Laborer
Madison, George; 01 Apr 1865; b Nelson Co., Va.; Recruit; Laborer
Malone (Mahone in 1865 AG Report), John H. (Henry); 25 Apr 1864
Marshall, George; 11 Feb 1865; Substitute
Marshall, Washington; 07 Jul 1864; b in Fauquier Co., Va.; Laborer
Mason, George; 13 Aug 1864; b Louden Co., Va.; Recruit; Laborer
McCoy, Jeremiah; 14 Feb 1865; Recruit
Minness, Calihill; 25 Oct 1864; b Nicholas Co., (W)Va.; Recruit; Farmer
Mitchell, Lewis; 10 May 1864
Monroe, James; 28 Jul 1864; b Franklin Co., Va.; Farmer
Monroe, Jefferson; 08 Aug 1864; b Fauquier Co., Va.; Recruit; Wagoner
Moplington, John G.; 15 Mar 1865; b Hampshire Co., (W)Va.; Recruit; Farmer
Newland, George; 23 Mar 1865; Drafted
Nichols, George; 07 Sep 1864; b Bottetourt Co., Va.; Farmer
Page, Stephen; 22 May 1864
Parish, Anderson; 07 Apr 1865; Substitute
Parish, James; 09 Aug 1864; b Nelson Co., Va.; Farmer
Parish, Reuben; 24 Feb 1865; Substitute
Paxton, Samuel; 07 Jul 1864; b Rockbridge Co., Va.; Laborer
Pendelton (Pendleton), John; 07 Jul 1864; b b Bottetourt Co., Va.; Unassigned; Laborer
Price, Anthony; 04 Aug 1864; Substitute
Ranste (Rauste in 1865 AG Report)(Ransle), Morton; 31 May 1864
Reed, Richard; 07 Jul 1864; b Bedford Co., Va.; Unassigned; Laborer
Revels, George; 09 Apr 1865; Substitute
Richardson, Pleasat (Pleasant); 20 Feb 1865; Substitute
Ritchards, John; 24 Aug 1864; Substitute; not on Archives film
Robinson, Jack; 01 Sep 1864; b Lewis Co., (W)Va.; Recruit; Farmer
Rogers, Elisha L.; 29 Mar 1865; b Harrison Co., (W)Va.; Recruit; Farmer
Rogers, Milo; 25 Mar 1865; Substitute
Rose (Ross), Thomas; 04 Aug 1864; Substitute
Sandy, Vincent; 29 Aug 1864; Substitute
Scott, Aaron; 07 Sep 1864; b Randolph Co., (W)Va.; Farmer
Sebastipol (Sebastepool), Leman; 22 May 1864
Shannon, Edward; 22 May 1864
Simmons, Henry; 28 Jul 1864; b Bath Co., Va.; Unassigned; Waiter
Simms, John S.; 29 Mar 1865; b Edgefield Dist., S.C.; Recruit; Laborer
Siuer (Siner), John; 06 Aug 1864; Substitute
Slaughter, Henry; 01 Mar 1865; b Madison Co., Va.; Recruit; Farmer
Smith, James W.; 07 Sep 1864; Substitute
Smith, Reuben; 16 Aug 1864; b Taylor Co., (W)Va.; Recruit; Farmer
Stark, George; 10 Apr 1865; Substitute
Stave, Benjamin; 15 Aug 1864; b Randolph Co., (W)Va.; Recruit; Farmer
Stevens, George; 28 Jul 1864<; b Bottetourt Co., Va.; Unassigned; Farmer
Stewart, George; 22 Mar 1865; Substitute
Strother (Strothers), Erastus; 23 Aug 1864; Substitute
Suel, Parker; 07 Jul 1864; b Raleigh Co., N.C.; Unassigned; Laborer
Taylor, Timothy; 22 May 1864
Tenner, John; 31 May 1864
Thaxton, Henry; 07 Jul 1864; b Bedford Co., Va.; Unassigned; Laborer
Thomas, Charles; 31 May 1864
Thomas, Samuel; 17 Aug 1864
Thompson, Dallas; 22 May 1864
Tyler, Samuel; 17 Aug 1864
Vass, Frederick; 30 Aug 1864; Substitute
Vinson, James; 05 Sep 1864; Substitute
Wade, Benjamin; 28 Jul 1864; b Rockbridge Co., Va.; Unassigned; Farmer
Wade, John; 28 Jul 1864; b Rockbridge Co., Va.; Unassigned; Farmer
Wades, Wesley; 07 Jul 1864; b Franklin Co., Va.; Unassigned; Laborer
Washington, Granville (G.); 22 Mar 1865; b Harrison Co., (W)Va.; Laborer
Watson, Frederick; 04 Aug 1864; Substitute
White, Henry; 07 Jul 1864; b Rockbridge Co., Va.; Laborer
Wilkes (Wilks), Albert; 07 Jul 1864; b Campbell Co., Va.; Unassigned
Wilkinson, James; 03 Apr 1865; Substitute
Williams, Abraham; 20 Apr 1864
Williams, John K.; 07 Jul 1864; b in Pensacola,Florida; Unassigned; Laborer
Williams, Peter; 28 Jul 1864; b Petersburg, Va.; Farmer
Williams, Preston; 07 Jul 1864; b Bedford Co., Va.; Unassigned; Laborer
Williams, Samuel H.; 07 Jul 1864; b Bedford Co., Va.; Unassigned
Williams, William; 07 Jul 1864; b Bedford Co., Va.; Laborer
Williams, Wilson; 11 Jul 1864; b Bottebourt Co., Va.; Laborer
Williams, Wyatt; 07 Jul 1864; b Bedford Co., Va.; Laborer
Wilson, William; 07 Jul 1864; b Bedford Co., Va.; Unassigned; Servant - SERVICE RECORD
Withers, William; 26 Sep 1864; b b Harrison Co., (W)Va.; Recruit; Farmer - SERVICE RECORD
Young, John H.; 25 May 1864 - SERVICE RECORD

Alexander, James; 17 Feb 1865. b Savannah Ga. - SERVICE RECORD
Alpheus, Jeremiah; 09 Apr 1865; Drafted - (Medal claimed by William A. Davison, 2005 - Photo.) . - SERVICE RECORD
Bell, Nathaniel; 27 Sep 1864; not in 1865 AG list; m/o 5 Jun 1865 per G.O. #77, A.G.O., 28 Apr 1865
Blakely, Philip; 27 Sep 1864; not in 1865 AG list; m/o per G.O. #77, A.G.O., 28 Apr 1865
Bolan (Bolin), Henry; 06 Mar 1865; b TN
Boone, Squire; 26 May 1864
Brent, Clayburn; 07 Sep 1864; b Harrison Co., (W)Va.
Brown, John; 15 Feb 1865; b Bedford Co., Va.
Burr, Larkin; 11 Aug 1864; Substitute
Buywaters, L. (Lafayette); 18 Feb 1865; b Culpeper Co., Va.
Chapman, George; 27 Sep 1864; not in 1865 list; m/o per order A.G.O. 17 Jul 1865
Cooper, James A.; 04 Oct 1864; not in 1865 list; m/o per G.O. #77, A.G.O., 25 Apr 1865
*Dennis, James; 01 Mar 1865; b Amelia Co., Va.
Douglass, William; 17 Feb 1865; b Albemarle Co., Va.; Recruit
Edwards, Thomas J.; 01 Apr 1864; not in 1865 list; appt 2d Lt. by Sec of War 28 Mar 1864
Fields, Ira; 27 Sep 1864; not in 1865 list; m/o per A.G.O. order 17 Jul 1865
Harris, John F. (T?); 07 Jun 1864; b Preston Co., (W)Va.; Farmer
Harris, Levan; 11 Jul 1865; not in 1865 list; m/o per A.G.O. order #77 3 May 1865 from Hosp, Pt. Lookout, Md.
Hewes, Wm.; 27 Sep 1864; not in 1865 list; m/o per A.G.O. order #77, 28 Apr 1865
Holliway, Charles; 04 Apr 1865; Substitute (James listed above?)
Howard, John W.; 18 Mar 1865; b Hampshire Co., (W)Va.; Farmer; Recruit
Hughes, Robert C.; 21 Feb 1865
Jenkins, Benjamin; 07 Jul 1864; b Bottetourt Co., Va.; Laborer
Jenkins, Benjamin; 18 Mar 1865; b Monongalia Co., Va.; Recruit; Servant
*Johnson, William; 18 Feb 1865
Jones, Daniel; 31 May 1864
Jones, Daniel; 05 Jun 1864
Jordan, Erwin; 17 Feb 1865; b Rockingham Co., Va.; Recruit; Laborer
Kite (Kile), Ellis; 09 Aug 1864; b Roanoke Co., Va.; Recruit; Farmer
*Lewis (Lucius), Isaac; 20 Feb 1865; b Clarke Co., Va.; Recruit; Farmer
Logan, Rudolph; 27 Sep 1864; not in 1865 A. G. list; m/o per A.G.O. order #77 25 Apr 1865
Lowe, Joseph; 27 Feb 1865; b Marshall Co., (W)Va.; Recruit; Farmer - SERVICE RECORD
Mar, John; 04 Oct 1864; not in 1865 list; m/o per A.G.O. order #77 28 Apr 1865
Marshall, Lewis; 01 Aug 1864; b Craig Co., Va.; Recruit; Farmer
Mart, John; 04 Oct 1864; not in 1865 A. G. list; m/o per A.G.O. order #77 25 Apr 1865
Moorehead, Elijah; 29 Aug 1864; b Barbour Co., (W)Va.; Farmer
Morduck, William; 14 Mar 1865; b Harrison Co., (W)Va.; Recruit; Farmer
Morehead, Miner (or Morehead Miner); 22 Aug 1864; b Tyler Co., (W)Va.; Recruit; Laborer
Newby, James H.; 16 Feb 1865; b Culpeper Co., Va.; Recruit; Barber
Nichols, George W.; 15 Feb 1865; b Bedford Co., Va.; Servant
Orem, Elijah; 27 Sep 1864; Substitute - SERVICE RECORD
Roberts, William P.; 02 Apr 1864; not in 1865 A. G. list; Appt. 2d Lt. by Sec. of War
Rucker, Henry; 07 Jul 1864; b Amherst Co., Va.; Unassigned; Servant - (medal claimed 12/03)
Slaughter, Silas; 22 Feb 1865; Drafted
Smith, Isaac; 16 Feb 1865; Substitute
Thomas, Emanuel; 08 Mar 1865; b Shenandoah Co., Va.; Servant
Timbers, George; 07 Jul 1864; b Rockingham Co., Va.; Laborer
Wade, Alexander; 28 Jul 1864; b in Rockbridge Co., Va.; Unassigned; Farmer
Walton, Edwin, Jr.; 04 Oct 1864; not in 1865 A. G. list; Appt 1st Lt. by Sec. of War
Washington, Philip; 02 Mar 1865
Wechtold, Wilhelm von; 2 Apr 1864; Appt. Capt by Sec. of War.
Wheat, Samuel; 07 Jul 1864; b Halifax Co., Va.; Unassigned; Laborer
Willis, Wilson; 06 Jul 1863; not in 1865 A. G. list; m/o when service no longer required 5 Jun 1866
Wright, Cornelius; 17 Dec 1863; not in 1865 A. G. list; m/o per A.G.O. order #77 3 May 1865 from Hosp, Pt. Lookout, Md. [This man was actually in Co. H, 10th US Colored Infantry.]

Sources:

List of Unclaimed Medals, W.Va. State Archives Website

Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of West Virginia for the year ending December 31, 1865

List provided by Greg Carroll, Historian, W.Va. State Archives

American Civil War Soldiers Database, Ancestry.com