Seeking military status of Asbury Palmer

He is not listed in the 1890 Veteran's Schedule, although 19 other Union veterans living in Marlboro Co SC are listed.

The 1910 Federal Census indicates if the person is a veteran (column 30).

I believe this (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M564-5NQ  ) is your ancestor and line 30 is blank.

FYI, Brent

Dear Ms. Harris,

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

We searched the National Archives Catalog and located the series Regimental and Company Books of Civil War Volunteer Union Organizations, 1861 - 1867 in the Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1917 (Record Group 94) that includes 147 file units regarding U.S. Colored Troops.  We also located a series titled the Carded Records Showing Military Service of Soldiers Who Fought in Volunteer Organizations During the American Civil War, 1890 - 1912 in Record Group 94 but could not locate the digitized record of Asbury Palmer from South Carolina.  For access to these unit records as well as to search any non-digitized carded records, please contact the National Archives at Washington, DC - Textual Reference (RDT1) via email at archives1reference@nara.gov. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to guidance received from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), NARA has adjusted its normal operations to balance the need of completing its mission-critical work while also adhering to the recommended social distancing for the safety of NARA staff. As a result of this re-prioritization of activities, you may experience a delay in receiving an initial acknowledgement as well as a substantive response to your reference request from RDT1. We apologize for this inc/onvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience.

We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your family research!

There is one possibility for which there may be no records, but which would explain the discrepancy between the oral history and the lack of military records..  Asbury Palmer might have worked as a civilian for the Union Army as it passed through Marlboro Co or for the Confederates based in the area.  African-Americans worked as cooks, tended horses, did manual labor or did skilled labor,  if so trained,  and women worked as laundresses.