African American Soldiers Born in Virginia Who Fought for Freedom and the Union in the Civil War
During the Civil War, more than 17,000 African American men born in Virginia served in the United States Army and Navy, fighting for freedom and the preservation of the Union. Born Far From Freedom tells the story of the obstacles that had to be overcome to allow these men to fight, military units in which they served, battles in which they fought, and challenges they faced during and after the war.
The stories of individual soldiers and sailors in Born Far From Freedom are inspiring and humbling. Many enslaved Virginians had been sold to other slave states. Those who were free-born and those who had escaped from slavery made their way to free states. They enlisted to serve from every part of the nation. Their lives were filled with danger and hardships: Many died of disease, others died of wounds sustained in combat, suffered crippling wounds or disabling injuries. Capture, for many, meant enslavement or execution. After the war, those who survived had to face new challenges in a world they had helped to change. A century and a half after the war, Americans are discovering the contributions of these Virginia-born servicemen.
Born Far From Freedom introduces the story of the African American soldiers and sailors from Virginia who fought in the Civil War. Readers are invited to join in the research, using the guidelines provided for accessing more soldier and sailor stories.
Scholars and enthusiasts interested in African American heritage, the Civil War, military history, genealogy and Virginia history will find Born Far From Freedom to be a unique, informative and valuable reference.
BORN FAR FROM FREEDOM Cover Photo:
Jackson Ridgeway was 15 years old in September 1863 when he enlisted in Company F of the 2nd Kansas Colored Infantry at Leavenworth, Kansas. His unit was later redesignated as the 83rd U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment. Private Ridgeway was discharged at Camden, Arkansas in October 1865. After the war, Ridgeway changed his name to J.W. Pollard. This photograph was taken May 30, 1906 after he participated in a G.A.R. parade in Illinois. Jackson Ridgeway was born in Fauquier County, Virginia. – Photo: Library of Congress