Approximately 200,000 African Americans fought for the Union during the Civil War. Initially, many white soldiers doubted their bravery and skill; they were soon proved wrong.
The Civil War battlefields bore witness to countless acts of courage from the United States Colored Troops, most famously the battle of Fort Wagner where the 54th Massachusetts marched forth and scaled the parapets, only to be driven back in fierce hand-to-hand combat, and the battle of Honey Springs where lines of African American troops advanced regardless of deadly enemy fire and succeeded in repelling the Confederates. African Americans were even conscripted into the Confederate Army towards the war's end to plug the damaging shortages of manpower.
African American troops comprised 10 percent of the Union Army and approximately one-third of those men lost their lives on the field of battle.
Through fascinating first-hand accounts, this title examines the journey of the African American from slave to soldier to free man, ultimately providing a fascinating insight into the impact that these brave men had on the war and how it influenced their lives thereafter.
Approximately 200,000 African Americans fought for the Union during the Civil War. Initially, many white soldiers doubted their bravery and skill; they were soon proved wrong.
The Civil War battlefields bore witness to countless acts of courage from the United States Colored Troops, most famously the battle of Fort Wagner where the 54th Massachusetts marched forth and scaled the parapets, only to be driven back in fierce hand-to-hand combat, and the battle of Honey Springs where lines of African American troops advanced regardless of deadly enemy fire and succeeded in repelling the Confederates. African Americans were even conscripted into the Confederate Army towards the war's end to plug the damaging shortages of manpower.
African American troops comprised 10 percent of the Union Army and approximately one-third of those men lost their lives on the field of battle.
Through fascinating first-hand accounts, this title examines the journey of the African American from slave to soldier to free man, ultimately providing a fascinating insight into the impact that these brave men had on the war and how it influenced their lives thereafter.
Introduction · Chronology · Enlistment · Training · Appearance and Dress · Conditions of Service and Daily Life · Belief and Belonging · The Soldier in Battle · Aftermath· Museums and Reenactment· Bibliography · Color Plate Commentary · Index
Mark Lardas is an amateur historian, who has written extensively
about naval, maritime, and military history subjects of a varied
nature. He has a particular enthusiasm for the American Civil War
and has spent much time researching the lives of the troops during
the conflict. His previous titles for Osprey include WAR105: Native
American Mounted Rifleman 1861-65. He lives and works in League
City, Texas, USA.
Peter Dennis was born in 1950. Inspired by contemporary magazines
such as Look and Learn he studied illustration at Liverpool Art
College. Peter has since contributed to hundreds of books,
predominantly on historical subjects. He is a keen wargamer and
modelmaker. He is based in Nottinghamshire, UK
"This excellent new military history is a recommended pick for any specialty collection strong in in-depth coverage." --Library Bookwatch (July 2007) "This brief study examines the USCT experience, from recruiting and training to camp life and the troops' performance in battle. The presentation is largely in the form of the troops' own words, in the form of extracts from their memoirs and oral histories, many of which are from the 'Slave Narratives' collected by the Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s...For those interested in pursuing the topic, there is a helpful list of further reading and a summary of museum and web site resources." --Doug C. Bister, Military Trader Magazine
|
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
