Description
Book SynopsisThe role that African Americans played in the Gettysburg Campaign has now been largely forgotten. This work seeks to rectify this oversight by bringing to light the many ways that Black Americans took part in the crucial battle at Gettysburg, how they were able to influence the military outcome, and the impact the Civil War had on their lives. Author, James M. Paradis, a former licensed battlefield guide at Gettysburg National Military Park, examines the active prewar role played by Gettysburg citizens, both black and white, in dramatic rescues of the Underground Railroad. Readers are introduced to an impressive ensemble of characters from the black community in Gettysburg including farmers, blacksmiths, teachers, veterinarians, preachers, servants, and laborers. He also dispels the myth that no black men fought or were killed defending Gettysburg from the Confederate invasion. By filling in the missing pieces, this book will help African Americans take back their own history in this d
Trade ReviewParadis, a former licensed battlefield guide at Gettysburg National Military Park and former lecturer and participant in Civil War round tables, addresses the many ways black Americans participated in the Gettysburg campaign, their influence on the military outcome, and the impact of the Civil War on their lives. He examines the active prewar role of Gettysburg citizens, both black and white, by describing characters from the black community in Gettysburg, including farmers, blacksmiths, teachers, veterinarians, preachers, servants, and laborers. Maps, photographs, and illustrations appear throughout. Two appendixes are included: black residents and points of interest in the town of Gettysburg, and a modern tour of Gettysburg and African Americans. * Reference and Research Book News *
From the Foreword: The significance of Gettysburg to all people, with an emphasis on Black America, is masterfully addressed by historian James M. Paradis in African Americans and the Gettysburg Campaign. The story of the borough and county?s Black community caught up in an epic struggle makes for narrative history at its best. The book is people- and site-oriented. As such it encourages the ever increasing number of park and area visitors that delight in heritage tourism to view sites associatedwith Gettysburg?s African American community. To facilitate the visitor?s desire to walk in the steps of history, the author has included a chapter highlighting Black-associated sites ad structures, along with two very useful tour maps... -- Edwin C. Bearss, Chief Historian Emeritus of the National Park Service
From the Foreword: The significance of Gettysburg to all people, with an emphasis on Black America, is masterfully addressed by historian James M. Paradis in African Americans and the Gettysburg Campaign. The story of the borough and county’s Black community caught up in an epic struggle makes for narrative history at its best. The book is people- and site-oriented. As such it encourages the ever increasing number of park and area visitors that delight in heritage tourism to view sites associated with Gettysburg’s African American community. To facilitate the visitor’s desire to walk in the steps of history, the author has included a chapter highlighting Black-associated sites ad structures, along with two very useful tour maps. -- Edwin C. Bearss, Chief Historian Emeritus of the National Park Service
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Acknowledgments Chapter 3 List of Maps and Illustrations Chapter 4 Introduction Chapter 5 African Americans at Gettysburg before the War Chapter 6 African Americans in the Civil War Chapter 7 The Great Rebel Invasion Chapter 8 In the Wake of the Storm Chapter 9 Carrying the Struggle on to Victory Chapter 10 Little Note nor Long Remember Chapter 11 Appendix A: Black Residents and Points of Interest in the Town of Gettysburg Chapter 12 Appendix B: Gettysburg and African Americans: A Tour for Today Chapter 13 Bibliography Chapter 14 Index
