Uncommon valor : a story of race, patriotism, and glory in the final battles of the Civil War / Melvin Claxton and Mark Puls.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Claxton, Melvin, 1958-

Contributor:

Puls, Mark, 1963-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States. Army.

History.

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Participation, African American.

United States.

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Biography.

African American soldiers--Biography.

African American soldiers.

Medal of Honor--Biography.

Medal of Honor.

United States. Army--African American troops--Biography.

United States. Army--African American troops--History--19th century.

United States. Army--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Campaigns.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

vii, 231 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Hoboken, N.J. : John Wiley & Sons, [2006]

Summary:

Christian Fleetwood had mixed feelings about America, and America had mixed feelings about him. As a free twenty-three-year-old black man living in Baltimore, with the Civil War raging, he understood well all that was worrisome and all that was inspiring in his war-torn country. A few days after Gettysburg, as his hometown was flooded with horribly wounded soldiers, Fleetwood made a momentous and patriotic decision. He enlisted.

Uncommon Valor tells the powerful story of how Sergeant Fleetwood and his fellow "colored" troops overcame oppression, suspicion, derision, and a ceaseless torrent of Confederate gunfire to overrun a heavily fortified rebel position against impossible odds. For outstanding bravery and devotion beyond the call of duty, Fleetwood and thirteen of his comrades were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Based on personal diaries, letters, and other firsthand accounts, this riveting tale takes you deep into the heat of battle and beyond, as these heroic soldiers are forced to fight two wars at once-one against the enemy, the other against their own white commanders and fellow troops.

The Civil War produced hundreds of heroes and thousands of thrilling accounts of their brave and glorious deeds. None is more moving, compelling, or inspiring than Uncommon Valor.

Contents:

The bell tolls : a call for Black troops

Christian Fleetwood enlists

The first mission

Ready and willing : the Cincinnati Brigade

Hunting guerillas and bushwhackers in North Carolina

Early skirmishes : raids on Richmond

Avenging an ambush

To the front : storming Petersburg

The fog of war : the Petersburg mine explosion

The price of honor : heroics at New Market Heights

The war ends.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 215-217) and index.

ISBN:

0471468231

OCLC:

58478336