Firebrand of Liberty
The Story of Two Black Regiments That Changed the Course of the Civil War
New York : W.W. Norton & Co., [2008]
Format: Book
Edition: First edition.
Description: xvi, 282 pages : illustrations, maps ; 25 cm
In March 1863, nine hundred black Union soldiers, led by white officers, invaded Florida and seized the town of Jacksonville. They were among the first African American troops in the Northern army, and their expedition into enemy territory was like no other in the Civil War. It was intended as an assault on slavery by which thousands would be freed.At the center of the story is prominent abolitionist Colonel Thomas Wentworth Higginson, who led one of the regiments. After waging battle for three weeks, Higginson and his men were mysteriously ordered to withdraw, their mission a seeming failure. Yet their successes in resisting the Confederates and collaborating with white Union forces persuaded President Abraham Lincoln to begin full-scale recruitment of black troops, a momentous decision that helped turned the tide of the war.Using long-neglected primary sources, historian Stephen V. Ash's stirring narrative re-creates this event with insight, vivid characterizations, and a keen sense of drama.
Subjects:
United States. Army. South Carolina Volunteers, 1st (1862-1864)
United States. Army. South Carolina Volunteers, 2nd (1863-1864)
United States. Army -- African American troops -- History -- 19th century.
African American soldiers -- History -- 19th century.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Participation, African American.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Regimental histories.
South Carolina -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Regimental histories.
Jacksonville (Fla.) -- History, Military -- 19th century.
Florida -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns.
United States. Army. South Carolina Volunteers, 1st (1862-1864)
United States. Army. South Carolina Volunteers, 2nd (1863-1864)
United States. Army -- African American troops -- History -- 19th century.
African American soldiers -- History -- 19th century.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Participation, African American.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Regimental histories.
South Carolina -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Regimental histories.
Jacksonville (Fla.) -- History, Military -- 19th century.
Florida -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns.
ISBN:
9780393065862 (hardcover)
Availability | |||
---|---|---|---|
Call Number | Location | Shelf Location | Status |
LH HISTORY Civil War Ash | Main (Downtown) | Local History Nonfiction | Available for in-library use |
HISTORY War Civil Union Ash | Main (Downtown) | Third Level, Nonfiction | In |
HISTORY War Civil Union Ash | Main (Downtown) | Third Level, Nonfiction | In |
HISTORY War Civil Union Ash | Southeast | Nonfiction | In |
Includes bibliographical references (pages [256]-265) and index.