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

Fields was born a slave about 1845, but in 1865 he made his way to Camp Nelson to enlist as a soldier in the Civil War. He served as a private in Company F of the 114th U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment. This regiment was organized at Camp Nelson on July 4, 1864 and saw garrison and guard duty there and at other posts in Kentucky until December 1864.

On January 3, 1865, the garrison was ordered to the Department of Virginia, where it served on the front at Bermuda Hundred, participating in siege operations against Richmond and Petersburg until March 1865.

It also took part in the Appomattox Campaign with action in the Battle of Hatcher's Run March 29-31 and was on hand for the Fall of Petersburg on April 2.

It pursued General Lee as he retreated from Petersburg and was present on April 9 when Lee surrendered his army at Appomattox Court House. The garrison stayed on duty in Virginia through the month of June.

The regiment was then transferred to Brownsville, Texas in July and other points along the Rio Grande River until April 1867, when it was discharged and mustered from federal service on April 2.

Joseph appears on the 1870 Anderson County census as a 24-year old black man with wife Millie, and daughter Alice.