Chaos of Emancipation
Special guest post today at National Archives blog, “Rediscovering Black History” about the Chaos of Emancipation in northeast Louisiana, 1863. Much thanks to Tina Ligon and others for making this possible!
Continue reading →Tag Archives: USCT
Slave takes his master prisoner (or does he?)
A recent post included a brief anecdote about a former slave – now a Union soldier – taking his former master prisoner at Milliken’s Bend. This story was widely repeated (after all, it made sensational journalism) – but it was … Continue reading →
Illinois at Milliken’s Bend
Many men from Illinois had a hand in the Milliken’s Bend story, and this seems like a timely subject, in anticipation of the upcoming Decatur Civil War Symposium. In April 1863, Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas traveled along the Mississippi River, … Continue reading →
Elisha DeWitt
Elisha DeWitt’s heart must have swelled with patriotism. In August 1861, just eighteen years old, he signed on with the 7th Missouri Infantry (U.S.) at Rolla. Enlisting early in the war when the eagerness of youth and lofty patriotic ideals … Continue reading →
John Gordon, USCT
John Gordon was just 15 years old when he enlisted in Company B, 11th Louisiana Infantry, African Descent on May 8, 1863. He was probably involved in the fighting at Milliken’s Bend, as there is no evidence that he was … Continue reading →