African American Soldier in the Civil War

Osprey's study of African Americans who participated in the American Civil War (1861-1865). Approximately 200,000 African Americans fought for the Union during the Civil War. Initially, many white soldiers doubted their bravery and skill; they were soon proved wrong. The Civil War battlefields bore witness to countless acts of courage from the United States Colored Troops, most famously the battle of Fort Wagner where the 54th Massachusetts marched forth and scaled the parapets, only to be driven back in fierce hand-to-hand combat, and the battle of Honey Springs where lines of African American troops advanced regardless of deadly enemy fire and succeeded in repelling the Confederates. African Americans were even conscripted into the Confederate Army towards the war's end to plug the damaging shortages of manpower. African American troops comprised 10 percent of the Union Army and approximately one-third of those men lost their lives on the field of battle. Through fascinating first-hand accounts, this title examines the journey of the African American from slave to soldier to free man, ultimately providing a fascinating insight into the impact that these brave men had on the war and how it influenced their lives thereafter.

Mark Lardas holds a degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, but spent his early career at the Johnson Space Center doing Space Shuttle structural analysis, and space navigation. An amateur historian and a long-time ship modeller, Mark Lardas is currently working in League City, Texas. He has written extensively about modelling as well as naval, maritime, and military history. The author lives in Texas, USA.

Introduction Chronology Enlistment Training Appearance and Dress Conditions of Service and Daily Life Belief and Belonging The Soldier in Battle Aftermath Museums and Reenactment Bibliography Color Plate Commentary Index