African American Faces of the Civil War

African American Faces of the Civil War presents photographs and biographical sketches of 77 black soldiers and sailors who served in the Union forces. The collected portraits come from cartes de visite, small photographic cards that were popular during the Civil War era. Each entry combines the subject's portrait with research from military records, pension files, newspaper accounts, and other historical documents to reconstruct their experiences. The men profiled include both free-born and formerly enslaved individuals who served in various roles, from infantry soldiers to musicians to chaplains. The narratives trace these servicemen's lives before, during, and after the war, documenting their military service and postwar pursuits. Coddington examines the historical context surrounding their enlistment and service, including the formation of the United States Colored Troops. This collection of personal histories and rare photographs helps restore individuality to soldiers whose stories were often overlooked or forgotten. The book contributes to a fuller understanding of African American military service during the Civil War and its impact on American society.

Readers appreciate the 77 high-quality photographs paired with detailed biographical research about each soldier. On Goodreads, multiple reviewers noted the value of putting faces and personal stories to the historical record of Black Civil War soldiers. Positive comments focus on: - Depth of research into each individual's life - Quality of photo reproductions - Inclusion of both free and formerly enslaved soldiers - Coverage of post-war lives and careers Main criticisms: - Limited scope (only 77 soldiers featured) - High price point for length - Some biographical details remain incomplete Ratings: Goodreads: 4.17/5 (23 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (15 ratings) One reviewer on Amazon noted: "Each story reads like a mini-biography that brings these brave men to life." A Goodreads reviewer highlighted how the book "helps demonstrate the diversity of experience among African American soldiers."

Faces of Civil War Nurses by Ronald S. Coddington A collection of portrait photographs and biographical sketches brings to life the experiences of nurses who served during the American Civil War.

Black Union Soldiers in the Civil War by John David Smith The book combines soldier photographs, pension records, and military documents to tell the stories of African Americans who fought for the Union Army.

Confederate Faces in Color by Shannon Pritchard This volume presents colorized portraits of Confederate soldiers alongside their personal histories and service records.

African American Medicine in Washington, D.C. by Heather M. Butts Through photographs and biographical accounts, this book documents the contributions of African American medical practitioners during the Civil War era.

Black Civil War Soldiers by Edward A. Miller Jr. The text pairs military records with personal narratives and photographs to chronicle the service of African American soldiers in both the Union and Confederate armies.

🔷 The book features 77 tintype and carte de visite photographs of African American Civil War participants, with each image accompanied by a detailed personal history of the subject. 🔷 Author Ronald S. Coddington spent over a decade researching pension records, military documents, and genealogical materials to uncover the stories behind these rare photographs. 🔷 Many of the men featured in the book were former slaves who escaped to join the Union Army, serving in the United States Colored Troops (USCT) regiments. 🔷 The photographs in the book were collected from private collectors, museums, and historical societies, with some images never before published. 🔷 The book is part of a series by Coddington that includes similar photographic collections of white Union and Confederate soldiers, making it a companion piece that helps complete the visual record of Civil War participants.