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Campaigns and Commanders #47
Soldiers in the Army of Freedom: The 1st Kansas Colored, the Civil War's First African American Combat Unit (Volume 47)
It was 1862, the second year of the Civil War, though Kansans and Missourians had been fighting over slavery for almost a decade. For the 250 Union soldiers facing down rebel irregulars on Enoch Toothman’s farm near Butler, Missouri, this was no battle over abstract principles. These were men of the First Kansas Colored Infantry, and they were fighting for their own freedom and that of their families. They belonged to the first black regiment raised in a northern state, and the first black unit to see combat during the Civil War. Soldiers in the Army of Freedom is the first published account of this largely forgotten regiment and, in particular, its contribution to Union victory in the trans-Mississippi theater of the Civil War. As such, it restores the First Kansas Colored Infantry to its rightful place in American history.
Composed primarily of former slaves, the First Kansas Colored saw major combat in Missouri, Indian Territory, and Arkansas. Ian Michael Spurgeon draws upon a wealth of little-known sources—including soldiers’ pension applications—to chart the intersection of race and military service, and to reveal the regiment’s role in countering white prejudices by defying stereotypes. Despite naysayers’ bigoted predictions—and a merciless slaughter at the Battle of Poison Spring—these black soldiers proved themselves as capable as their white counterparts, and so helped shape the evolving attitudes of leading politicians, such as Kansas senator James Henry Lane and President Abraham Lincoln. A long-overdue reconstruction of the regiment’s remarkable combat record, Spurgeon’s book brings to life the men of the First Kansas Colored Infantry in their doubly desperate battle against the Confederate forces and skepticism within Union ranks.
Composed primarily of former slaves, the First Kansas Colored saw major combat in Missouri, Indian Territory, and Arkansas. Ian Michael Spurgeon draws upon a wealth of little-known sources—including soldiers’ pension applications—to chart the intersection of race and military service, and to reveal the regiment’s role in countering white prejudices by defying stereotypes. Despite naysayers’ bigoted predictions—and a merciless slaughter at the Battle of Poison Spring—these black soldiers proved themselves as capable as their white counterparts, and so helped shape the evolving attitudes of leading politicians, such as Kansas senator James Henry Lane and President Abraham Lincoln. A long-overdue reconstruction of the regiment’s remarkable combat record, Spurgeon’s book brings to life the men of the First Kansas Colored Infantry in their doubly desperate battle against the Confederate forces and skepticism within Union ranks.
456 pages, Hardcover
First published October 2, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 15, 2024
True rating: 4.5 - 5 ⭐️
Book review I wrote for my HIST 3730 class:
Recognition for Those Forgotten
When thinking of the Civil War, political and commanding figures such as Lincoln, Lee, and Jackson come to mind. But, what about those individuals who had direct confrontational involvement in the war, especially that of African Americans that have been seemingly cast to the side? That question is at the forefront of Ian Michael Spurgeon’s wonderfully crafted book Soldiers in the Army of Freedom. Delivering a captivating account of the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry and their engagement in combat, Spurgeon provides an insightful look at the heavy struggles that these soldiers faced. He writes, “And they played a vital part in helping to begin the long and painful process of countering white prejudice by defying stereotypes. They simply wanted the opportunity to show that they were men.”¹ These soldiers fought for the Union, but also to receive recognition and equality among their society. Fighting for a nation that still denied their basic rights is the underscore to the book’s central scheme; the intertwining relationship of these men’s military service, and their movement towards civil rights.
In his narrative, Spurgeion organizes his work chronologically, starting with the formation of the colored regiment, and moving through to its combat experiences. Founded in 1862, he highlights their key battles. With a battle such as the Battle of Honey Springs, Spurgeon takes careful use of primary sources; letters, military, and personal accounts of the soldiers, to add a vivid dimension to their experiences. By providing such vivid detail, Spurgeon brings life to the respective battles, transporting the reader onto the battlefield. Through this captivating writing, he gives life to these black soldiers, showcasing the importance of their service. For instance, he writes, “Through discipline and bravery in battle, the men of the First Kansas Colored commanded respect from their comrades.”² This quote emphasizes the broader significance of their service in challenging racial stereotypes and contributing to the eventual recognition of African American citizenship. Another key strength of the book is its ability to place the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry within the grander historiographical context of African American military service. Spurgeon writes, “Serving in a black regiment at this point in the war meant earning respect from Union army peers through careful yet firm dedication to duty.”³ Through these brave men’s voluntary service, they began to change the perception of African Americans and their ability to perform during times of war.
But, it's important to note that this perception did not come with ease amongst those that were within their ranks, often confronting racism from fellow Union soldiers and officers. To convey this, Spurgeon uses a tone that is both professional and authoritative; one that fits both scholars and casual readers. Through his ability to combine his thoroughly detailed military history, and the broader social implications of African American service, he ensures that the book is more than a simple recounting of battles. Instead, it is a tribute to the struggles and triumphs of a group of soldiers that have largely been overlooked throughout most of the traditional Civil War narratives. To reinforce this idea, the book’s conclusion assesses the regiment’s lasting impact. He writes, As the soldiers enjoyed their celebration, they knew that within hours the regiment would forever disband, leaving each man alone to continue the struggle for freedom and equality in American society.”⁴ In this reflection on their service, he highlights the transformative role this regiment played not only in shaping the outcome of the Civil War, but for the individual battle for African American rights as a whole.
Bibliography
Spurgeon, Ian Michael. Soldiers in the Army of Freedom: The 1st Kansas Colored, the Civil War's First African American Combat Unit (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2021), 5.
Spurgeon, Soldiers in the Army of Freedom, 176.
Ibid., 114.
Ibid., 256.
Book review I wrote for my HIST 3730 class:
Recognition for Those Forgotten
When thinking of the Civil War, political and commanding figures such as Lincoln, Lee, and Jackson come to mind. But, what about those individuals who had direct confrontational involvement in the war, especially that of African Americans that have been seemingly cast to the side? That question is at the forefront of Ian Michael Spurgeon’s wonderfully crafted book Soldiers in the Army of Freedom. Delivering a captivating account of the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry and their engagement in combat, Spurgeon provides an insightful look at the heavy struggles that these soldiers faced. He writes, “And they played a vital part in helping to begin the long and painful process of countering white prejudice by defying stereotypes. They simply wanted the opportunity to show that they were men.”¹ These soldiers fought for the Union, but also to receive recognition and equality among their society. Fighting for a nation that still denied their basic rights is the underscore to the book’s central scheme; the intertwining relationship of these men’s military service, and their movement towards civil rights.
In his narrative, Spurgeion organizes his work chronologically, starting with the formation of the colored regiment, and moving through to its combat experiences. Founded in 1862, he highlights their key battles. With a battle such as the Battle of Honey Springs, Spurgeon takes careful use of primary sources; letters, military, and personal accounts of the soldiers, to add a vivid dimension to their experiences. By providing such vivid detail, Spurgeon brings life to the respective battles, transporting the reader onto the battlefield. Through this captivating writing, he gives life to these black soldiers, showcasing the importance of their service. For instance, he writes, “Through discipline and bravery in battle, the men of the First Kansas Colored commanded respect from their comrades.”² This quote emphasizes the broader significance of their service in challenging racial stereotypes and contributing to the eventual recognition of African American citizenship. Another key strength of the book is its ability to place the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry within the grander historiographical context of African American military service. Spurgeon writes, “Serving in a black regiment at this point in the war meant earning respect from Union army peers through careful yet firm dedication to duty.”³ Through these brave men’s voluntary service, they began to change the perception of African Americans and their ability to perform during times of war.
But, it's important to note that this perception did not come with ease amongst those that were within their ranks, often confronting racism from fellow Union soldiers and officers. To convey this, Spurgeon uses a tone that is both professional and authoritative; one that fits both scholars and casual readers. Through his ability to combine his thoroughly detailed military history, and the broader social implications of African American service, he ensures that the book is more than a simple recounting of battles. Instead, it is a tribute to the struggles and triumphs of a group of soldiers that have largely been overlooked throughout most of the traditional Civil War narratives. To reinforce this idea, the book’s conclusion assesses the regiment’s lasting impact. He writes, As the soldiers enjoyed their celebration, they knew that within hours the regiment would forever disband, leaving each man alone to continue the struggle for freedom and equality in American society.”⁴ In this reflection on their service, he highlights the transformative role this regiment played not only in shaping the outcome of the Civil War, but for the individual battle for African American rights as a whole.
Bibliography
Spurgeon, Ian Michael. Soldiers in the Army of Freedom: The 1st Kansas Colored, the Civil War's First African American Combat Unit (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2021), 5.
Spurgeon, Soldiers in the Army of Freedom, 176.
Ibid., 114.
Ibid., 256.
March 22, 2024
By far the best account of Black Soldiers in the U.S. Civil War. Every last man of the First Kansas were true heros. From the highest ranking White Officer to the lowliest Black Private, these men faced such adversity and criticism that no one should have.
September 10, 2025
Read this for my history class but i absolutely loved it
October 12, 2015
In 1862 it was the second year of the Civil War. But Kansas and Missouri had been fighting about slavery for a decade. This is a very special historical story about the men of the Kansas Colored Infantry and they were fighting for their own freedom and that of their families. They belonged to the first regiment raised in a Northern state, and the first Black regiment to serve in the Civil War. This is the first published account of this almost forgotten regiment. This unit was comprised of former slaves and they had to overcome white prejudices.
August 23, 2022
Excellent book on the first African American unit in the Union Army. Detailed and well-researched it tells the story of the regiment on a granular level.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews