Dr. Clara Small Discusses 'Men of Color to Arms!'

SALISBURY, MD---During the Civil War, nearly 200,000 African-American soldiers joined the Union army and navy to fight for freedom.

Dr. Clara Small, professor of history at Salisbury University, and the Rev. David Briddell have chronicled a small portion of their history in the new book Men of Color to Arms! Manumitted Slaves and Free Blacks From the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland Who Served in the Civil War. The authors discuss the book 6:30 p.m. Monday, September 20, at the Snow Hill Branch of the Worcester County Library (307 North Washington St., Snow Hill, MD).

The names, ranks and dates of enlistment and discharge, desertion or death are listed for some 1,300 Lower Shore residents. Also included for some of the soldiers are town of residence, age, freedom status (free or slave during the war), slave owners’ names and dates the slaves received their freedom. The authors also include historical information to create a greater understanding of the role played by African-American soldiers during the war.

Among the families included in the book are Bailey, Bowen, Bivens, Briddell, Brittingham, Carey, Collins, Costen, Dale, Davis, Dennis, Downing, Duncan, Fassett, Fitchett, Fletcher, Franklin, Gibson, Griffin, Hall, Hammond, Handy, Hargis, Henry, Holland, Horsey, Hudson, Jackson, Jacobs, Jarman, Johnson, Jones, Lane, Leonard, Long, Marshall, Massey, Miles, Mitchell, Morris, Parker, Parsons, Pitts, Porter, Powell, Purnell, Robbins, Robinson, Selby, Shockley, Showell, Smith, Spence, Stewart, Sturgis, Taylor, Tingle, Truitt, Warren, Washington, Waters, Whaley, Williams and Wright.

Admission is free and the public is invited. For more information call 410-632-3495.