History of regimental flag
Capt. Earle’s account book contains a short history of Company F’s flag. The original flag is in the possession of the Kansas Historical Society. To view an image of the flag and to learn more about the regiment visit their website at
http://www.kshs.org/cool2/coolflg1.htm

Sergeant Clement Johnson
In the back of his account book, Capt. Earle records the history of the regiment. Among his notes is an account of his company sergeant, Clement Johnson, a slave from Missouri.

Transcription:
                                               Sergeant Clement Johnson

1862                                                  Note

August                  When enlisting men in Leavenworth, a tall
                              well deposed colored man can into my Store
                               he had the [    ] of a gentleman.
 Clement Johnson.                   He told me he was Methodist
                               preacher in Missouri, but was a Slave!
                               that he had a wife and a daughter, who
                               were Slaves in Tennesee, that he thought
                               by enlisting in this Regt. if it went South,
                               he might possibly find his wife and daughter.
                                              I told him I would give him the
                               first position in my company, and if we
                               should go down as far as Tennesee, if that State was
                               occupied by our troops (U. troops) I would go
                               there to find them if I could.
                                                    When the Regiment arrived at
                               Fort Smith, about the first colored people
                             we met were his wife and daughter of this
                             man. – They heard in Tennesee that a Colored
                             Army was coming down from Kansas, they pro-
                             cured passage in a government Steamer to Fort
                             Smith from there he procured conveyance
                             In a gov’t train to Leavenworth – where I
                             Saw them after the war, happy in the
                             enjoyment of their freedom. Mr. Johnson
                             remained with the Regiment to the close of the
                             War, then joined his family in Leavenworth.
                                             This man could neither read
                              nor write, but his language in his religious Services
                              was as good as most educated men,
                              particularly at the burial of dead.
                              He learned to read and write at my
                              School at Fort Scott – through the entire War; he conducted
                             at all times with great dignity and propriety, and was
                             more respected by all classes than any man in the Regt.