Blake was later promoted to seaman and re-enlisted in the Navy for another term. During his second enlistment, he served again on the USS Vermont.
Sadly, nothing more is known about his life.
I looked him up on the Find A Grave site and they have an entry on him which says that his birth date, date of death and place of burial are all unknown.
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His Medal of Honor citation reads: "On board the U.S. Steam Gunboat Marblehead off Legareville, Stono River, 25 December 1863, in an engagement with the enemy on John's Island. Serving the rifle gun, Blake, an escaped slave, carried out his duties bravely throughout the whole engagement which resulted in the enemy's abandonment of positions, leaving a caisson and one gun behind."
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--Old B-Runner
I was pleased to discover your post about this African American soldier who received the CHOH through the Civil War. My grandfather served on the USS Calypso during the same period (Oct 1863 - Oct 1864), mustering out approximately one month on the USS Daylight. I am an African American and will share this information with others.
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