Why read On the Altar of Freedom?

Book cover of On the Altar of Freedom: A Black Soldier's Civil War Letters from the Front

Book description

The letters featured in this book were sent by Corporal James Henry Gooding, a member of Company C., of the 54th Massachusetts regiment. They were sent to the New Bedford (Massachusetts) ""Mercury"" and published. He was described as a ""truthful and intelligent correspondent, and a good soldier"".

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American history

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Why read it?

1 author picked On the Altar of Freedom as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Lesley J. Gordon

Author

There are many published letters and diaries of Civil War soldiers, but far fewer from black men. This collection, penned by James Henry Gooding, a member of the famed 54th Massachusetts regiment, highlights the military service of a black man, born into slavery but later freed, educated, and keenly observant of the world around him. He enlisted in February 1863, recording his experiences in letters first published in the New Bedford Mercury. Here, they are assembled with insightful editing, illustrations, and an appendix featuring Gooding’s efforts to obtain equal pay for black troops. In September 1863, Gooding wrote President…

From Lesley's list on the Civil War and the soldiers who fought in it.