This belt, buckle, scabbard, and percussion cap pouch belonged to Pvt. George R. Rome, one of nearly 180,000 African Americans to fight for the Union Army during the Civil War. Rome was born in 1835 to free African American parents living in Providence, Rhode Island. He later moved to Worcester, Massachusetts. When the Civil War began in 1861, he and other African Americans were initially denied enlistment. However, the US government reversed its policy in 1863. Rome eventually joined the 55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, participating in several campaigns, including Sherman’s famous March to the Sea. He survived the war and died in 1900. This equipment is part of a small collection of his items in the museum’s care, including his pocket New Testament.