Firebrand of Liberty: The Story of Two Black Regiments That Changed the Course of the Civil WarW. W. Norton & Company, 2008 M07 17 - 304 pages A nearly forgotten Civil War episode is restored to history in this masterful account. 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. |
Contents
13 | |
PORT ROYAL ISLAND AND THE ST MARYS RIVER | 31 |
Three HILTON HEAD February 16 | 67 |
Four FROM PORT ROYAL ISLAND TO JACKSONVILLE | 87 |
Five | 110 |
Seven JACKSONVILLE AND THE WEST BANK March 2729 | 164 |
Eight THE AFTERMATH | 182 |
Decision for FullScale Black Recruitment | 211 |
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Firebrand of Liberty: The Story of Two Black Regiments That Changed the ... Stephen V. Ash No preview available - 2008 |
Common terms and phrases
1st South Carolina 25 April 25 March 2nd South Carolina 33rd Regiment 33rd USCT Infantry 6th Connecticut 8th Maine aboard abolitionists Beaufort Black Regiment black soldiers black troops Boston Commonwealth Charles Steedman Charleston Civil civilians CMSR colonel command Commissioners of Florida Company contrabands Department Diary enemy expedition Farmington Chronicle February Fernandina fire Florida Forten gunboats Hilton Head History of Jacksonville Hooper Papers Hunter Jacksonville James Montgomery January John Adams John’s Journal and Letters Letters from Port Letters of Dr Lincoln Looby McPherson Family Papers McPherson to Theodore Navies negro Norwich log officers Official Records Palatka plantation Port Royal provost RAGO raid RBNP Rebel Rebellion Regimental Records river Rogers Rufus Saxton RUSACC Savannah Daily Morning Sea Islands Series Three slavery slaves Southern Stearns Papers Steedman Stickney Tax Commissioners Theodore McPherson Thomas Wentworth Higginson tion transports Union army Washington wharf white troops Yankee York Daily Tribune York Evening Post