Magic City Guards

The Magic City Guards were an African-American unit of the Alabama State Militia formed in Birmingham in 1883 by James Scott, who served as its commander. Scott was dropped from the state's roster for absenteeism.

The Magic City Guards participated in a "colored military competitive drill" in Vicksburg, Mississippi on August 7, 1886, and issued a resolution of willingness to serve in a rumored war against Mexico later that month. The company was issued arms under the reorganization of the Alabama State Troops later that same year.

The unit was formally disbanded on August 6, 1887 due to inefficiency.

References

• "The Coming Drill" (August 3, 1886) The Vicksburg Herald
• "The State Troops" (November 17, 1886) The Greenville Advocate
• Muskat, Beth Taylor (April 7, 2008) "Black Militias in Alabama". Encyclopedia of Alabama Beta edition - accessed May 7, 2008