Black Soldiers in Blue: African American Troops in the Civil War Era / Edition 1

by John David Smith

Overview

Inspired and informed by the latest research in African American, military, and social history, the fourteen original essays in this book tell the stories of the African American soldiers who fought for the Union cause.

An introductory essay surveys the history of the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) from emancipation to the end of the Civil War. Seven essays focus on the role of the USCT in combat, chronicling the contributions of African Americans who fought at Port Hudson, Milliken's Bend, Olustee, Fort Pillow, Petersburg, Saltville, and Nashville. Other essays explore the recruitment of black troops in the Mississippi Valley; the U.S. Colored Cavalry; the military leadership of Colonels Thomas Higginson, James Montgomery, and Robert Shaw; African American chaplain Henry McNeal Turner; the black troops who occupied postwar Charleston; and the experiences of USCT veterans in postwar North Carolina. Collectively, these essays probe the broad military, political, and social significance of black soldiers' armed service, enriching our understanding of the Civil War and African American life during and after the conflict.

The contributors are Anne J. Bailey, Arthur W. Bergeron Jr., John Cimprich, Lawrence Lee Hewitt, Richard Lowe, Thomas D. Mays, Michael T. Meier, Edwin S. Redkey, Richard Reid, William Glenn Robertson, John David Smith, Noah Andre Trudeau, Keith Wilson, and Robert J. Zalimas Jr.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807855799
Publisher:	The University of North Carolina Press
Publication date:	08/30/2004
Edition description:	1
Pages:	464
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.06(d)

About the Author

John David Smith is the Charles H. Stone Distinguished Professor of American History at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

A thoughtful and thorough book about African American soldiers during and after the Civil War. . . . This book has a great deal to offer both the general reader and the dedicated student of the Civil War. I recommend it highly.—Journal of Southern History



Smith is one of the first to assemble a collection of contemporary essays that take in all sides of . . . the complex and often controversial issue [of Federal regiments during the Civil War].—Kliatt



This volume contributes fresh insight into the black military experience. Students of the Civil War no less than those of the African-American military experience will find value in this collection.—Journal of Military History



This superb anthology of uniformly interesting essays successfully raises interest in the vital role and varied experiences of African Americans in the U.S. Army during the Civil War.—Military Heritage



A worthwhile read.—NYMAS Review



This collection of essays is a fine addition to the literature on the subject.—North & South



For readers who are interested in the Civil War or the African American military experience in general, Black Soldiers in Blue is an important source of much useful information on the often ignored contributions of the USCT (United States Colored Troops).—Military Collector & Historian



If you expect to have only one volume on African American soldiers in your Civil War library, make it this book. I do not know of another work that covers the topic as thoroughly or as thoughtfully as Black Soldiers in Blue.—Civil War Book Review



Well written and well edited, this book delivers more information and analysis of the black soldier experience than is to be found anywhere else between two covers. . . . Essential [for] every public and academic library.—Choice



Black Soldiers in Blue constitutes an interesting collection of essays. . . . Editing such a collection is no light undertaking, and John David Smith is to be congratulated for having done it.—Army History

Editorial Reviews

"Well written and well edited. Essential [for] every public and academic library.
("Choice")"

"This book makes a worthy contribution, addressing the broad scope of emancipation and black military service.
(Gary W. Gallagher, University of Virginia, author of "Lee and His Army in Confederate History")"

"This superb anthology of interesting essays successfully raises interest in the role of African Americans during the Civil War.
("Military Heritage")"

"Well written and well edited. Essential Ýfor¨ every public and academic library.
("Choice")"

"Well written and well edited, this book delivers more information and analysis of the black soldier experience than is to be found anywhere else between two covers."

From the Publisher