In 1872; just seven years after his emancipation; a thirty-four-year-old former slave named John Washington penned the story of his life; calling it "Memorys of the Past." One hundred and twenty years later; in the early 1990s; historian Crandall Shifflett stumbled upon Washington's forgotten manuscript at the Library of Congress while researching Civil War Fredericksburg. Over the ensuing decade; Shifflett sought to learn more about this Virginia slave and the people and events he so vividly portrays. John Washington's Civil War presents this remarkable slave narrative in its entirety; together with Shifflett's detailed annotations on the life-changing events Washington records.While joining the canon of better-known slave narratives by Frederick Douglass; Harriet Jacobs; and Solomon Northup; Washington's account illuminates a far different world. The son of a slave woman and an unknown white man; Washington never lived outside the seventy-five-mile radius that included Richmond and Fredericksburg; until his emancipation. His narrative spans his experiences as a household slave; a laborer in the Fredericksburg tobacco factory; and a hotel servant on the eve of the Civil War. He also tells of his bold venture across Union lines and his experiences as a slave under Union officers.Washington's recollections allow for a singular look at the more personal aspects of slave life. Forced attendance at the slaveowner's church; much-anticipated gatherings of neighboring slaves at harvesttime; even a brief episode of courtship among slaves are among the events described in this remarkable narrative. On a broader scale; Washington was a witness to key moments of the Civil War; and his chronicle includes his thoughts about the wider political turmoil surrounding him; including his dramatic account of watching the Union Army mass around Fredericksburg as it prepared to invade the town. An excellent introduction and expert annotations by Shifflett reconstruct Washington's life through his death in 1918 and provide informative historical background and context to Washington's recollections.An unprecedented window into the life of a Virginia bondsman; John Washington's Civil Warcommunicates with real urgency what it meant to be a slave during a period of extreme crisis that sounded the notes of freedom for some and the end of a way of life for others.
#1325000 in Books Erika L Murr 2001-09-01 2001-09-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.30 x 1.67 x 6.40l; 2.03 #File Name: 0807127027476 pagesA Rebel Wife in Texas The Diary and Letters of Elizabeth Scott Neblett 1852 1864
Review
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Loved book!By Nick GoodsonArrived in condition as described. Can't wait to read! I didn't notice the length of book which is much longer than most diaries and journals.Thanks!1 of 3 people found the following review helpful. endlessly boringBy JesseOverly long; boring; tedious litany of complaints. These people lived dreary lives and their letters reflect this. East Texas was not a pleasant place to live.Gossip; quarrels; tedium. hard work; poverty; illness; loneliness; lack of education; no culture; all made for stupifyingly dull life.I have seen letters written by rural people in the late 1800s and they were the same boring drivel. They had small lives. Be glad you didn't live back then in backwoods boredom.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. There's More Than Meets the EyeBy HarrietThis rebel wife was disgrunteled most of the time. She did not want to have children; yet had five. She grew to greatly dislike having to be the overseer when her husband was off to the war; while he had what seemed to be a safe and cushy job. Her relationships within her family changed a great deal over the years; eventually she and her mother becoming friends.I got a great deal out of this book; both historical and human interest. I recommend it to those who want to learn more about the Civil War era.
