You've mentioned one of my favorite people. Richard Etheridge was a member of the 2nd NC volunteers,changed to the 36th USCT. He was quite a remarkable man long before he became the keeper of the Pea Island Station. There is a book on the Pea Island station and his part in the rescue there that got him and his crew a much deserved lifesaving medal. It's called FIRE ON THE BEACH, by David Wright and David Zoby.

As I continually work on my USCT research- he is one, that I with a couple of others, I have singled out to write more about. He was a leader from the time he was a young man in the service, an activist supporting the rights of Black soldiers and freemen, part of the Roanoke Island development, etc, etc.

Sharon