Black Civil War soldiers played a vital role in the Union’s efforts despite facing immense challenges. Following the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, more than 200 Black men from Cape Girardeau, Perryville, Ste. Genevieve and surrounding areas enlisted in the Union Army at the steps of City Hall in Cape Girardeau. These soldiers, including formerly enslaved individuals like James Ivers, exemplified courage in the face of harsh conditions. Cape Girardeau, a Union stronghol