From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (PIONEERS & PATRIOTS: Anderson County Military Servicemen, Revolutionary War - WWI)
Slaughter, Thomas
(born: c. 1841) Thomas Slaughter was born a slave in Anderson County about 1841. 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.Thomas therefore made his way to Camp Nelson to enlist, and on October 11, 1864 was enrolled as a private in Company D of the 6th U.S. Colored Cavalry Regiment. At that time he testified that he was born in Anderson County, KY about 1841.
In December 1864, the troops of the 6th Colored Cavalry Regiment were on a campaign in southwestern Virginia under the command of Major General George Stoneman on a raiding expedition, and on December 17-18, 1864 were engaged at the Battle of Marion, where the Confederate lead mines were captured. On December 20-21, the Federals captured and destroyed the salt works after the 2nd Battle of Saltville.
After returning from the Stoneman Campaign, the regiment was detailed at various posts throughout Kentucky, seeing duty at Camp Nelson, Paducah, Camp Wildcat, Danville, New Haven, Catlettsburg, Covington, and Louisville. On December 6, the regiment was transferred to duty in Arkansas, where it was posted at Helena and DuVall's.