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Miniatures Adventure => Age of the Big Battalions => Topic started by: jetengine on November 28, 2021, 05:59:47 PM
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I'm in a bit of a pickle gentlemen. I'm in need of books/research covering the African American troops in the American Civil War but can't seem to find much beyond Osprey. Is there anything out there ?
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"The Negro's Civil War" by the very respected James M. McPherson. Try also searching "African Americans in the Civil War" on Amazon books. I just did it, and it provides ALOT of books on this topic.
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"The Negro's Civil War" by the very respected James M. McPherson. Try also searching "African Americans in the Civil War" on Amazon books. I just did it, and it provides ALOT of books on this topic.
I did try amazon but it seemed to give more about the side effects rather then their direct participation in combat
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I'm not an expert on this subject. I don't know of any good general study. Conditions of service varied a lot from year to year in different theaters, so it might be best to study particular cases. I can recommend two volumes that I have read.
Thomas Wentworth Higginson Army Life in a Black Regiment is the memoir of the white colonel of the First South Carolina Volunteers. A classic:
https://www.amazon.com/Army-Life-Black-Regiment-Writings/dp/0140436219/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1JGQ6GMGRBN7M&keywords=thomas+wentworth+higginson&qid=1638157058&s=books&sprefix=thomas+wentworth%2Caps%2C157&sr=1-1
Steven V Ash Firebrand of Liberty is a recent account of an early campaign by the 1st and 2nd South Carolina Volunteers:
https://www.amazon.com/Firebrand-Liberty-Regiments-Changed-Course-ebook/dp/B0042XA2XQ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=stephen+v+ash+Firebrand+of+liberty&qid=1638157268&s=books&sr=1-1
I've found several titles on the famous 54th Massachusetts Volunteers, but must admit I haven't read them, only watched the movie Glory, and read some short accounts of the regiment:
https://www.amazon.com/Brave-Black-Regiment-Fifty-Fourth-Massachusetts/dp/1974169383/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=54th+Massachusetts&qid=1638157483&s=books&sr=1-5
https://www.amazon.com/Glory-Fort-Wagner-Massachusetts-Strikes-ebook/dp/B07HB8PNBC/ref=sr_1_12?keywords=54th+Massachusetts&qid=1638157629&s=books&sr=1-12
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Hi,
the most comprehensive work is by William A. Dobak: Freedom by the Sword: The U.S. Colored Troops, 1862-1867. It is a quite detailed operational history organised by theatre.
A very readable and also comprehensive overview, but in a more narrative vain, is Noah Andre Trudeau's Like Men of War: Black Troops in the Civil War 1862-1865. It concentrates more on the battles and skirmishes involving African-American troops.
Firebrand of Liberty has already been mentioned - a great book on a very interesting person.
Joseph Glatthaar''s Forged in Battle: The Civil War Alliance of Black Soldiers and White Officers deals with the relationship between soldiers and officers and is a fascinating study. Highly recommened if you are interested in social history.
There are several regimental histories and studies on special subjects, just drop me a PM if you are looking for something specific.
I hope that helps!
Best,
Thomas
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Battle CRY of freedom (James M McPHERSON) touches on the subject.
Whilst not specifically written about black soldiers, it does offer some insights.
It was very difficult to put down.
Cheers
Ry
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The Bible on the subject is “Like Men of War, Black Troops in the Civil War 1862-1865” by Noah Andre Trudeau. Highly recommended.
https://smile.amazon.com/Like-Men-War-Troops-1862-1865/dp/0316853259/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3DSZ2G387JQS4&keywords=like+men+of+war&qid=1638494798&s=books&sprefix=Like+men+of+%2Caps%2C163&sr=1-3