The Negro in the American Rebellion: His Heroism and His Fidelity

by William Wells Brown

Overview

This documents the participation of both free blacks and slaves during the Civil War, as well as a background of African American participation in the Revolution and War of 1812.

From the preface:

"Feeling anxious to preserve for future reference an account of the part which the Negro took in suppressing the Slaveholders' Rebellion, I have been induced to write this work. In doing so, it occurred to me that a sketch of the condition of the race previous to the commencement of the war would not be uninteresting to the reader.
For the information concerning the services which the blacks rendered to the Government in the Revolutionary War, I am indebted to the late George Livermore, Esq., whose "Historical Research" is the ablest work ever published on the early history of the negroes of this country.
In collecting facts connected with the Rebellion, I have availed myself of the most reliable information that could be obtained from newspaper correspondents, as well as from those who were on the battle-field. To officers and privates of several of the colored regiments I am under many obligations for detailed accounts of engagements.
No doubt, errors in fact and in judgment will be discovered, which I shall be ready to acknowledge, and correct in subsequent editions. The work might have been swelled to double its present size; but I did not feel bound to introduce an account of every little skirmish in which colored men were engaged.
I waited patiently, before beginning this work, with the hope that some one more competent would take the subject in hand; but, up to the present, it has not been done, although many books have been written upon the Rebellion.
WILLIAM WELLS BROWN."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781502359490
Publisher:	CreateSpace Publishing
Publication date:	09/13/2014
Pages:	150
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.32(d)

About the Author

William Wells Brown (1814-1884), a former slave and abolitionist leader, wrote the first novel published by an African American. He wrote the first military history of African Americans, The Negro in the American Rebellion. This text assailed those whose hatred and ignorance inclined them to keep blacks oppressed after Appomattox.

A distinguished professor of history at North Carolina State University, John David Smith has enjoyed many scholarly honors and awards. His recent books include Black Judas: William Hannibal Thomas and The American Negro, Black Soldiers in Blue: African American Troops in the Civil War Era, and The Civil War and Reconstruction: A Documentary History (forthcoming).