Celebrate Juneteenth with GCHS (host) and GCNAACP. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the date on which enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, finally received the news they were free. Eli Truly, 31st USCT, was an Oakland, MD resident and present for the surrender and subsequent proclamation of freedom.
The celebration will be at the gravesite of Pvt. Truly at the Oakland Cemetery beginning at 4pm on Monday (June 19th). The cemetery is located along E High St. We will congregate at Entrance A. There will be a brief ceremony, placing of flags, and light refreshments.
Facebook Event RSVP: https://facebook.com/events/s/juneteenth-celebration/790863705922833/
Excerpt from our Black History Month article in the Garrett County Republican:
“Thanks to the efforts of the GCNAACP and the GCHSMT, it has been discovered that Truly’s life was much more than what his rather inaccurate obituary had to offer.
According to updated research conducted by the GCHSMT and GCNAACP, Truly enlisted in 1863 in the 31st United Stated Colored Infantry (USCT) and was honorably discharged in 1864 in Texas. He was a cook, not a servant, and was present at Appomattox during the surrender of General Robert E. Lee. This also places Truly at the first celebration of Juneteenth. At the time of his death, Truly was married with six children.”
Garrett County Historical Society Museums Allegany County NAACP Branch 7007 Washington County NAACP Branch 7030
