Milliken’s Bend: A Civil War Battle in History and Memory by Linda Barnickel Hardcover, 320 pages Linda Barnickel is described as “an archivist and freelance writer with master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and The Ohio State University.” Though not possessing a PhD, Barnickel is truly a historian and proves as much with her fine book, Milliken’s Bend: A Civil War Battle in History and Memory. Her work has…

Back in March C-SPAN held a panel discussion on U.S.C.T. (United States Colored Troops) during the Civil War. The panel brought up numerous topics with regard to the enlistment and service of colored soldiers within the military — and not just as soldiers. Here is a clip I selected as I found it very interesting and thought I would share it. Enjoy!

Why is a Civil War soldier’s letter describing a bloody battle and his vision of free blacks potentially worth thousands of dollars when it goes up for auction later this month? The letter by the son of John Carter, an African-American grocery store owner in Madison who helped move slaves to freedom along the Underground Railroad, has long been in the hands of private collectors. It will be included in…

I found the following in a Wisconsin Regiments Reunion publication and was fascinated by this particular Captains reflection of his black soldiers. Captain Ira B. Reynolds quotes from his diary as he reflects years later about the incidents described. I do not believe its been published since? Ira B. Reynolds started out as a private, Company E, 3d Wisconsin Vols., and eventually ended up with the Forty Third U.S. Colored…