Powhatan Beaty

His Story

Powhatan Beaty was born into slavery in Richmond on October 8, 1837. As a boy he was taken to Cincinnati, where he gained his freedom, learned the cabinetmaker's trade, and discovered the stage. That might have been the whole story: a craftsman with a gift for Shakespeare.

Instead, in 1863, when the Union began raising Black regiments, Beaty enlisted in the 5th U.S. Colored Infantry and rose quickly to first sergeant. On September 29, 1864, his regiment assaulted the Confederate works at New Market Heights, outside Richmond, in the Battle of Chaffin's Farm. The attack carried the position at staggering cost. When the color bearer fell, Beaty went back over ground swept by fire to bring in the flag. When every officer of Company G was dead or wounded, he took command and led the company through the rest of the fight.

Fourteen Black soldiers earned the Medal of Honor for that one day's fighting at New Market Heights. Beaty's was presented on April 6, 1865, three days after Richmond fell and three days before Lee surrendered at Appomattox.

After the war, Beaty went home to Cincinnati and became one of the most celebrated Black stage actors of his era, playing Shakespeare across the country. He died on December 6, 1916. The boy born enslaved in Richmond had become a first sergeant, a Medal of Honor recipient, and a leading man.