MARCH 30, 1872

HAWAIIAN CIVIL WAR SAILOR/SOLDIER & BUFFALO SOLDIER PRINCE ROMERSON DIED

Born about 1840, likely on Oahu (though possibly in the Philippines or India), Prince was a barber in New York City in 1861.  Enlisting in the U.S. Navy for 1 year in January 1863 as a landsman, he served aboard the USS Wamsutta & USS Mercedita (and possibly the USS Wabash) blockading Southern ports.  On April 23, 1864, in Boston, Romerson enlisted for 3 years in the U.S. Army as part of Co. M, 5th Regiment Massachusetts Colored Cavalry.  Promoted to sergeant by June 1, 1864, he fought in the Siege of Petersburg.  Falling ill after the war, he was hospitalized in New Orleans and discharged on October 9, 1865 in New York.  In 1867, he enlisted as a private in the 39th U.S. Infantry Regiment which consolidated with the 40th to create the 25th U.S. Infantry Regiment–the famed “Buffalo Soldiers.”  Romerson served in the 25th for 3 years fighting in the Indian Wars along the Texas frontier. He died possibly at Fort Griffin.  On May 11, 1872, he was re-interred at the San Antonio National Cemetery.   

Sources:   Terry Foenander, Edward Milligan, Edward; et al., "Hawaiians in the Civil War", National Park Service, March 2015.  Retrieved 6/6/2020, https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/upload/More-Info-on-Hawaiians-in-the-Civil-War-Alphabetically-by-Name.pdf Ruthanne Lum McCunn, "Prince Romerson," in Carol A. Shively, ed. (2015), Asians and Pacific Islanders and the Civil War (Washington, DC: National Park Service, 2015), pp. 130–163.
Photo:  U.S. Army, 1864.  Enlistment Card.  Public domain.  Photograph taken by an officer or employee of the United States Government as part of that person’s official duties under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the US Code.  Additionally, pre 1/1/1925.  Public Domain elsewhere where copyright term is author’s life plus 70 years or less.