Last updated: September 20, 2024
Person
Thomas H. Broaddus
Find a Grave (Public Domain)
Quick Facts
Significance:
United States Colored Troop soldier who gained his freedom by enlisting in one of the regiments organized at Camp Nelson during the Civil War.
Place of Birth:
Madison County, Kentucky
Date of Birth:
September 18, 1840
Place of Death:
Richmond, Kentucky
Date of Death:
March 2, 1921
Place of Burial:
Maple Grove Cemetery
Cemetery Name:
Maple Grove Cemetery
Thomas Howard Broaddus
“Elder T.H. Broaddus delivered a powerful address at the Colored Baptist Church of this city to the GAR [Grand Army of the Republic], Elder Broaddus is a thinker and a fine, all round citizen.” Madisonian Newspaper, May 27, 1913.
Early Life and Civil War
Thomas Howard Broaddus was born September 18, 1840, in Madison County, Kentucky where he enslaved by George Broaddus. On June 10, 1864, Broaddus journeyed to London, Kentucky and self-emancipated by enlisting in the U.S. Army. He was assigned to Co. A, 114th US Colored Infantry (USCI), one of the eight US Colored Troops (USCT) organized at Camp Nelson during the Civil War. Broaddus was mustered in as a sergeant but was reduced to the rank of private in December 1864.
The 114th USCI, along with its sister regiment the 116th USCI, was transferred from Kentucky to Virginia to serve with U.S. forces operating at Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia in January 1865. Both units were assigned to the all-Black 25th Corps, Army of the James. The regiment was first posted at Deep Bottom to guard this critical crossing point of the James River near Richmond. It was later assigned garrison duty at Fort Harrison outside of the Confederate capital—the earthwork was captured by the U.S. Army on September 29, 1864. The battle was one of the largest engagements featuring Black soldiers.
In the closing days of the war, the 114th USCI participated in the capture of Richmond which fell on April 3, 1865. Elements of the Army of the James remained in the capital while the bulk of the Armies of the United States pursued the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia during the Appomattox Campaign. Broaddus and the 114th USCI remained in Richmond until late May 1865.
The Civil War may have ended in 1865, but for thousands of African American soldiers, their service was far from over. Several USCT regiments, especially troops of the segregated Twenty-fifth Army Corps, including the 114th and 116th USCI, were transferred from the Eastern Theater to Texas.While in Texas, Broaddus was detached once again as a sharpshooter. He was promoted to Corporal on June 8, 1866, and held this rank until the end of his service. The 114th USCI served along the Texas-Mexico border until it regiment was mustered out of service on April 2, 1867.
Post-War
Once he was mustered out of service in Texas, Broaddus returned home to Kentucky and settled in his native Madison County, where he remained until his death. On August 24, 1869, Broaddus married Elizabeth Broaddus, née Ballew, with whom he had 5 children. Originally a farmer after the war, Broaddus went on to become a pastor of the First Baptist Church of Richmond.
Reverend Broaddus worked throughout his life and career to expand opportunities for Black men and women in Richmond, Kentucky. Reverend Broaddus, alongside two other notable local Black men, filed to establish the Madison Mutual Industrial Corporation. The corporation’s goal was to establish farms where young men of color could receive an education in the scientific principles of farming.
He also contributed significantly to the official establishment of the Maple Grove Cemetery in Richmond, Kentucky. Maple Grove Cemetery is Madison County’s largest African American cemetery, holding over 1700 gravestones and many more unidentified graves. 250 of these graves belong to military members, including USCTs and Buffalo Soldiers.
Reverend Thomas H. Broaddus was buried in Maple Grove Cemetery following his death on March 2, 1921. He is buried alongside his wife, who died in 1919. His headstone reads, “Soldier - Preacher - Pastor.”