Hi, I have the answer to your question. All officers in Black regiments were white men. Most of the USCT officers were enlisted soldiers in all white regiments that wished to be promoted to officer rank, or officers that wanted higher rank. The quickest way to get such a rank was to go to one of the many new USCT units being formed.

I went to the National Parks Civil War Soldiers data base (CWSS) you mentioned, and typed in his name. It showed several Henry Houstons, one in the 55th USCT. The National Park system is cross referenced and shows a secondary unit if the man was in a USCT unit. This was true for this man. When I checked, Capt. Houston was originally a First Sgt. in Co K 50th Ill Inf.

So your man was never from the deep south but just a few hundred miles from Michigan.

I hope this helps.

Mark Jennings
Canton, MI