Susie King Taylor (1848–1912)

This is a wonderful memoir written by a Black woman from Savannah, Georgia, who served with the Black regiment that was formed in South Carolina. These Black troops did much to secure the Barrier Islands off the coast of Georgia and South Carolina and gained territory that made Sherman’s march to the sea possible. Her perspective on this aspect of the war is a valuable addition to the literature available from that era. I especially enjoyed this memoir because it takes place in the area of the South in which I lived for nearly 25 years. Its most important aspect, however, is that we see a perspective of the Civil War from the viewpoint of a Black person who had high stakes in the outcome of the conflict. Her observations are perceptive and show an understanding of what is at stake. Extensive additional notes on the information she gives helps to make this account valuable in understanding much about what these Black regiments accomplished and the sacrifices they made. Highly recommended! 4 stars I just wish she had written more!… (mehr)

A very readable and interesting story with a totally different perspective of the civil War as told by a black woman who came from Savannah and spent most of that was working in a camp of black soldiers. Soldiers who quite often died before getting paid and those who did survive may not have received much of that pay anyway. But her life was not harsh, though there was danger.

She hoped that once the war was over, there would be equality for all. She did find it but had to go North to have it. She found that crossing the rive in Cincinnati on a train in the late 1800s meant she had to move to a different car, one for "colored people." In 1902, she wondered if the "war had been in vain."

Today things have improved greatly but we have a ways to go. Hopefully, her dream will be completely fulfilled soon.… (mehr)