audiobook Chronology of African American History 2 by Alton Hornsby in History

Description

The 4th United States Colored Troops (USCT) regiment saw considerable action in the eastern theater of operations from late 1863 to mid-1865. The regiment—drawn largely from freedmen and liberated slaves in the Middle Atlantic and New England states—served in Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler’s Army of the James; whose mission was to capture the Confederate capital at Richmond. From May to December 1864; the 4th saw action in the Bermuda Hundred and Richmond-Petersburg campaigns; and in early 1865 helped capture the defenses of Wilmington; North Carolina; the last open seaport of value to the Confederacy.Citing recently discovered and previously unpublished accounts; author Edward G. Longacre goes beyond the battlefield heroics of the 4th USCT; blending his unique insights into political and social history to analyze the motives; goals; and aspirations of the African American enlisted men. The author also emphasizes how these soldiers overcame what one of their commanders called “stupid; unreasoning; and quite vengeful prejudice” and shows how General Butler; a supporter of black troops; gave the unit opportunities to prove itself in battle; resulting in a combat record of which any infantry regiment; black or white; could be proud.