From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (PIONEERS & PATRIOTS: Anderson County Military Servicemen, Revolutionary War - WWI)

Egbert, Obediah

(born: c. 1845) Egbert was born a slave in Anderson County about 1845. He remained a slave into adulthood; President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation only freed slaves in states openly hostile toward the Union. Late in the war, however, the government called for the enlistment of colored regiments, and all who answered the call were granted immediate freedom.

Egbert therefore made his way to Camp Nelson to enlist, and on September 21, 1864 became a private and later a corporal in Company I of the 12th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery Regiment. At the time of his enlistment, he testified he was born in Anderson County about 1845.

The 12th Artillery saw no reported action, mainly serving garrison duty at various locations throughout Kentucky until it was discharged from service on April 24, 1866.

Contributor

Entries compiled by Anderson County Historical Society's Luther Allen Davenport.

Kentucky County & Region

Read about Anderson County, Kentucky in Wikipedia.
Read about Jessamine County, Kentucky in Wikipedia.

Kentucky Place (Town or City)

Read about Camp Nelson, Kentucky in Wikipedia.

Cite This NKAA Entry:

“Egbert, Obediah,” Notable Kentucky African Americans Database, accessed October 11, 2026, https://nkaa.uky.edu/nkaa/items/show/300005229.

Last modified: 2025-11-03 19:53:35