History abounds in striking narratives of chivalry and heroism. If profound statesmanship and bitter national struggles; but its most glowing pages are those that record the proud achievements of patriotic soldiers and sailors, in their efforts for the supremacy, Sparta had her Thermopylæ;, Haiti her L'Ouverture and Dessalines. Scotland had her Bannockburn, and immortal Bruce. The Afro-Americans have legions, who have forever immortalized themselves by their soldierly conduct in defense of human liberty.<br><br>It was with the desire to permanently write the names of these illustrious heroes upon the pages of recorded history, and thus insure to generations, yet un-born, a proud heritage, the writing of this volume, as incomplete as it may be, was under taken.