Firebrand of Liberty: The Story of Two Black Regiments that Changed the Course of the Civil War | 
| Author: Stephen V. Ash
Publisher: W. W. Norton
Category: Book
List Price: $25.95
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Avg. Customer Rating:  1 reviews
Sales Rank: 616503
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 320
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6 x 1.1
ISBN: 0393065863
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.74150975912
EAN: 9780393065862
ASIN: 0393065863
Publication Date: July 7, 2008
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Product Description
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. 20 illustrations.
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Changing the country October 7, 2008
FIREBRAND OF LIBERTY: The Story of Two Black Regiments that Changed the Course of the Civil War by Stephen V. Ash describes the actions behind two Black regiments, the 1st and 2nd South Carolina, which encouraged President Abraham Lincoln to actively enlist Black soldiers into the army during the Civil War. At first, it was assumed, even by their commander, Colonel Thomas Wentworth Higginson, that perhaps it wasn't the best idea because the White soldiers had issues with fighting alongside Black ones. The White soldiers entertained themselves by performing in black face and using racial slurs. A strong reaction from the Black soldiers could have caused many problems. The Black troops, however, tended to ignore them and go about their business of freeing their fellow slaves. In addition, in the towns where Black soldiers were located, the White citizens frequently had issues, such as White women complaining of being insulted, etc. by the Black soldiers. It hardly ever panned out as described and more frequently, the Black soldier had reacted to some slur from the White person.
Higginson's men carried themselves bravely through the conquest of Jacksonville, Florida and there was not one incident of cowardice among them. Even though General Hunter withdrew the troops before the mission was complete, their outstanding performance encouraged President Lincoln to rethink the idea of regularly enlisting Black soldiers, thus changing the face of the Civil War.
Stephen V. Ash has written a sensitive, interesting history of Black soldiers during the civil war. He writes of their hardships, their courage when everything was against them, the racial discrimination they had to endure and their energy to keep going. He describes how they attempted to find others like themselves and free them, bringing them back to their base. It is a history well worth reading to understand just how this country operated during the Civil War.
Reviewed by Alice Holman
of the RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers
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