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Author Topic: Book suggestion for ACW?  (Read 981 times)

Offline jetengine

  • Mad Scientist
  • Posts: 675
Book suggestion for ACW?
« on: November 28, 2021, 05:59:47 PM »
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 ?

Offline Pan Marek

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 218
Re: Book suggestion for ACW?
« Reply #1 on: November 28, 2021, 06:47:34 PM »
"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.

Offline jetengine

  • Mad Scientist
  • Posts: 675
Re: Book suggestion for ACW?
« Reply #2 on: November 28, 2021, 08:59:42 PM »
"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

Offline zippyfusenet

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 420
Re: Book suggestion for ACW?
« Reply #3 on: November 29, 2021, 03:57:35 AM »
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
You'll shoot your eye out, kid!

Offline shandy

  • Mad Scientist
  • Posts: 663
    • The Raft. Wargaming Adventures
Re: Book suggestion for ACW?
« Reply #4 on: November 29, 2021, 11:53:07 AM »
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

Offline Ranthony

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 240
Re: Book suggestion for ACW?
« Reply #5 on: December 01, 2021, 02:07:01 PM »
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







Exodus 1:10 KJV
Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.

Offline Extrabio1947

  • Assistant
  • Posts: 44
Re: Book suggestion for ACW?
« Reply #6 on: December 03, 2021, 01:30:05 AM »
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
« Last Edit: December 03, 2021, 01:31:56 AM by Extrabio1947 »

 

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