Black History Month: Black Civil War Soldiers

Hi Everybody,
Did you like the movie Glory? Do you wish you knew more about African American Civil War Soldiers? Keep reading for some outstanding books on the subject!

Till victory is Won: Black Soldiers in the Civil War, by Zak Mettger, is a wonderful little book to use when introducing young audiences to African Americans in the Civil War. The text covers the Civil War from the time the first shot was fired. It also has authentic historical photographs that transport readers to that time in history when African Americans struck a mighty blow for their own freedom.

The Black Phalanx: African American Soldiers in the War of Independence, The War of 1812, and The Civil War, is one of the most comprehensive early books on African Americans in the military you’ll ever read. The book was written by Joseph T. Wilson, an actual Civil War soldier who fought with the famous 54th Massachusetts–the regiment that the movie Glory is based upon! Wilson blends official dispatches, essays, and first-hand accounts to provide a stunning account of various battles that African Americans participated in. I’ve found this an incomparable resource when writing about the Civil War from an African American perspective.

From Auction Block to Glory: The African American Experience, by Phillip Thomas Tucker, Ph.D., is a wonderful book sprinkled with historical photographs and paintings of African Americans in American Military service. The book chronicles slavery from its European origins to slavery as we understand it in the New World. Although it attempts to document every war in which African Americans were involved, it offers extensive coverage of Civil War service–including the two dozen black soldiers who won the congressional medal of honor. There is even a section on black Confederates who fought in the Civil War. This is a delightful little book, and a definite plus for your African American history library.

Like Men of War: Black Troops in the Civil War, 1862-1865, by Noah Andre Trudeau, is another wonderful historical reference book that uses diaries, letters, newspaper accounts, and military records, to recreate the African American role in the Civil War. It details the hopes, dismays, struggles and victories of the 180,000 black soldiers who fought in the Civil War, and even offers special insight on the abandonment they faced after the war was won.

Well everyone, that’s all I have for you today. As you can see, I’m an African American Civil War Soldier fanatic! I just love uncovering stories about our “unsung heroes.” Hope this has helped you.

Best wishes and happy writing,

Rita L.