“Unlike many of his fellows; [James Newton] was knowledgeable; intuitive; and literate; like many of his fellows he was cast into the role of soldier at only eighteen years of age. He was polished enough to write drumhead and firelight letters of fine literary style. It did not take long for this farm boy turned private to discover the grand design of the conflict in which he was engaged; something which many of the officers leading the armies never did discover.â€â€”Victor Hicken; Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society “When I wrote to you last I was at Madison with no prospect of leaving very soon; but I got away sooner than I expected to.†So wrote James Newton upon leaving Camp Randall for Vicksburg in 1863 with the Fourteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Newton; who had been a rural schoolteacher before he joined the Union army in 1861; wrote to his parents of his experiences at Shiloh; Corinth; Vicksburg; on the Red River; in Missouri; at Nashville; at Mobile; and as a prisoner of war. His letters; selected and edited by noted historian Stephen E. Ambrose; reveal Newton as a young man who matured in the war; rising in rank from private to lieutenant. A Wisconsin Boy in Dixie reveals Newton as a young man who grew to maturity through his Civil War experience; rising in rank from private to lieutenant. Writing soberly about the less attractive aspects of army life; Newton's comments on fraternizing with the Rebs; on officers; and on discipline are touched with a sense of humor—"a soldier's best friend;" he claimed. He also became sensitive to the importance of political choices. After giving Lincoln the first vote he had ever cast; Newton wrote: "In doing so I felt that I was doing my country as much service as I have ever done on the field of battle."
#679125 in Books University of Washington Press 2013-01-11Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .26 x 5.51l; .35 #File Name: 0295992719112 pages
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. A little-known story of Washington State history comes to lifeBy J. M. DonahI decided to purchase this book after seeing that it contained a true account of slavery and freedom during a very challenging time in my own state's territorial history (Washington). In our state history class in high school (which granted was some time ago for me) I was taught that our state was a "free" state that generally supported abolition; and was haven for free african americans. I was taught that slavery was never legal here when this was part of the United States - Yet here is a well-researched story of a child who was held in slavery in Olympia and the general public out-cry when he made his bid for freedom. It was with chargrin that I read the excerpts from published editorials in local papers that described Charlie's owner as his "benefactor" and "guardian" and that saw those who were working for his freedom as "ingrates" and not law-abiding. Even more fascinating to me was information on the active African-American community and the members who risked their livelyhoods (and possibly their lives) to bring Charlie his chance of freedom. It also was a look at a slave-owner who was educated and a leader; who wasn't cruel and who saw himself as a benefactor - he provided for Charlie (even some education) while at the same time holding the racists prejudices of his time and firmly insiting on his "right" to own Charlie who he describes as - "his property". This book also provides some great context - the war with Mexico; the fighting with native peoples over territory; the issue of the draft and militias; gold rush in the Yukon and politics in the early times of Washington territory. This book is written for children or young adults and in a style that is probably less suspensful and action oriented that a lot of YA literature that is popular today (what - no vampires?)- but as an adult I found it a compelling read of a much-neglected piece of our state history that I plan to share with young adult students. I think it may inspire some to question what they are being taught and to research history that matters to them. Kudos to the authors for their research and writing!4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A fascinating chapter in the history of race relations in the Washington TerritoryBy The BookmanThis is a well-written book that describes an unusual situation that arose in 1860 in Olympia; Washington Territory. One protagonist is a 13-year-old; Charles Mitchell; who was brought; as a slave; from Maryland. The story focuses on his escape from the Territory to Victoria; British Columbia; via the efforts of free blacks and others who have developed a West Coast Underground Railway.The other protagonist is the child's master; James Tilton; the surveyor-general of the Territory; who had been a U.S. officer in the Mexican-American War and would later appear to have split loyalties -- to the U.S. and then to the Confederacy -- after the Civil War broke out.The book is carefully researched and makes the most of what is a limited record; particularly regarding the child. It combines factual matters with the authors' fictional recreations of conversations and thoughts of the protagonists (delineated by use of italics for the recreations).It's a fast read. But it raises important issues and observations that stay with the reader long afterwards.Highly recommended!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Free Boy will open your eyes to a hidden part of Washington State historyBy Linda RaeI heard the author speak at a meeting and learned that Washington State history has some sad secrets. Having lived most of my life in this state; I always thought Washington was a place that opposed slavery. The story in the book "Free Boy" is about a child slave brought into Washington Territory at a time when the issue of slavery was at a boiling point. Much of his story was created from newspapers of the time that indicated many people in the territory held pro-slave positions and even those who opposed it had very prejudiced views about people of color. Every student of Washington State History should read this book. The boy did not suffer the extreme abuse of plantation life; but floated in a world that did not truly accept his value as a human being. His master did provide a food; shelter; and basic education; but did he really plan to set him free at adulthood or use him as a source of income for his family? You'll have to read the book to figure this out.
