Noted author, historian and veteran Bennie J. McRae, Jr. has researched and documented the African-American military experience for more than thirty years. While the focus of this research is primarily on the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) and Contrabands during the Civil War, McRae has also researched the contributions of African-Americans in World War II and on the western frontier. As result of this research, he began to document the history of the Scouts and their descendants.

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In 2021, Mr. McRae entrusted his body of work to the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts Historical Society. Our joint goal is to keep these resources available to the public and to help further knowledge about the pivotal military contributions and sacrifices made by African-Americans. 

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Mr. McRae's research is compiled from numerous libraries, archives and historic sites. He formerly managed several research forums for Afrigeneas.com, and in 2007 he co-authored the book "Nineteenth-Century Freedom Fighters.”

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The Historical Society plans to devote a section of its website to Mr. McRae’s research.  In the meantime, please take a moment to learn more about the U.S. Colored Troops, the Civil War regiments of free and formerly enslaved African-Americans who fought to end slavery and preserve the Union.