From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (PIONEERS & PATRIOTS: Anderson County Military Servicemen, Revolutionary War - WWI)
Black, Mark
(born: c. 1842) Born as a slave in Anderson County about 1842, he remained a slave as a child and into adulthood up to his enlistment.President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation only freed slaves in states openly hostile toward the Union. Since Kentucky refrained from secession, the slaves within its borders remained in bondage. Late in the war however, the government called for the enlistment of colored regiments, and all who answered the call were granted immediate freedom. In great numbers, slaves threw down the tools of forced labor, and walked away from the fields to the nearest enlistment point.
Mark Black therefore chose to become a soldier. He made his way to Lexington to enlist and on October 7, 1864 was enrolled as a private in Company K of the 5th U.S. Colored Cavalry Regiment. He testified that he was 22-years old and born in Anderson County about 1842. He was 5'10" with a mulatto complexion.
His unit was assigned to take part in Burbridge's Campaign into southwestern Virginia; the unit was active at the First Battle of Saltville on October 2, 1864. In December, another attempt was made to destroy the salt works, and the 5th was part of that attack, known as Stoneman's Raid. On December 17-18, 1864, the Battle of Marion was fought and the Confederate lead mines were captured. On December 20-21, the Federals captured and destroyed the salt works after the 2nd Battle of Saltville.
Throughout the spring and early summer of 1865 the regiment saw duty at various posts in central Kentucky until August 1865, when it was transferred to the Department of Arkansas. The regiment was engaged in that state against renegade groups until March 1866. It was mustered out of the service at Helena, Arkansas on March 20, 1866.