His regiment trained on Riker's Island. When it debuted in New York City it was a celebrated event covered by the New York Times. The Times noted the event followed the New York City draft riots when public buildings, leaders, and African Americans in the city were attacked.[6] He served with his unit until being mustered out in late 1865, briefly leading the 55th U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment before leaving the army on December 31.[5]
After the war he served as a clerk and then deputy collector at a Customs House in New York.[7][8] Bartram resided in Port Chester and White Plains. He died on December 25, 1886, and was buried in the latter on Rural Cemetery.[5]
He was a superior officer for chaplain George LeVere, who he dined with after LeVere was excluded from an officer's mess for being African American.[9]