mr. c.r. gibbs and mr. bars.t stevens and will share why this battle played a pivotal role in our country's history. we again thank you for joining us this morning and hope that you stay for this afternoon's events and also for tomorrow's events at the battleground cemetery. thank you. [ applause ] >> good morning. my name is doug jimmerson and i'm going to sing a few very significant period songs that remain wonderful songs in our american musical heritage. the first was called at the time "red, white and blue", columbia the gem of the ocean. ♪ ♪ ♪ when born by the red, white and blue ♪ ♪ when born by the red, white and blue ♪ ♪ when born by the red, white and blue ♪ ♪ thigh banners make tyranny tremble ♪ ♪ when born by the red, white and blue ♪ ♪ the wine cup, the wine crumb bring hither ♪ ♪ may the reeds they have won never wither ♪ ♪ nor the star of their glory grow dim ♪ ♪ may the service unite never sever ♪ ♪ but they to their country so true ♪ ♪ the army and navy forever ♪ three cheers for the red, white a

mr. c.r. gibbs. mr.il war units as well as serve aztec nickal adviser to the frances thompson company on a film entitled "american years." he has written many books. his articles have appeared in numerous respected journals, including the negro history bulletin and african-american inventers, please welcome mr. c.r. gibbs. >> good morning, everyone. i will leave it to my esteemed colleague to describe the eb and flow of battle that occurred here in july of 1864. what i want to do for a few minutes today is to offer some reflections on the contributions of african americans to the defensef of walk. for all too often are our understanding of what happens here and the movement within the city is if you know about, this is the thomas whose health was destroyed by lincoln, that the fort, itself, sits on a part of an african-american neighborhood called vinegar hill. the story is actually much large were than that. i think perhaps the best way to begin is by sharing with you a portion of a letter written on ju

mr. c.r. gibbs and mr. ed barrs.ort stevens, the only battle to take place in the nation's capital, and share why this battle played a pivotal role in our nation's history. we thank you for joining us and hope you stay for this afternoon's events and also for tomorrow's events at the battleground cemetery. thank you. [ applause ] >> good morning. my name is doug jimmerson, i'm going to sing a few very significant period songs that remain wonderful songs in our american musical heritage. the first was called at the time red, white, and blue, columbia, the gem of the ocean. ♪ o columbia, the gem of the ocean ♪ ♪ the home of the brave and free ♪ the shrine of each patron's devotion ♪ ♪ our world offers homage to thee ♪ my mandate of heroes assemble ♪ when liberty form stands in view ♪ ♪ they banners make tyranny tremble ♪ ♪ when borne by the red, white, and blue ♪ ♪ when borne by the red, white, and blue ♪ ♪ when borne by the red, white, and blue ♪ ♪ banners make tyranny tremble ♪ when borne by the red, white, and blue

mr. c.r. gibbs and mr. bars.t stevens and will share why this battle played a pivotal role in our country's history. we again thank you for joining us this morning and hope that you stay for this afternoon's events and also for tomorrow's events at the battleground cemetery. thank you. [ applause ] >> good morning. my name is doug jimmerson and i'm going to sing a few very significant period songs that remain wonderful songs in our american musical heritage. the first was called at the time "red, white and blue", columbia the gem of the ocean. ♪ ♪ ♪ when born by the red, white and blue ♪ ♪ when born by the red, white and blue ♪ ♪ when born by the red, white and blue ♪ ♪ thigh banners make tyranny tremble ♪ ♪ when born by the red, white and blue ♪ ♪ the wine cup, the wine crumb bring hither ♪ ♪ may the reeds they have won never wither ♪ ♪ nor the star of their glory grow dim ♪ ♪ may the service unite never sever ♪ ♪ but they to their country so true ♪ ♪ the army and navy forever ♪ three cheers for the red, white a