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Recollections of My Slavery Days
A new, annotated edition of an important slave narrative first published in 1922. Written by William Henry Singleton, who had been a slave on a Craven County, North Carolina plantation, this volume is a compelling account of a long and remarkable journey from slavery to freedom in the American South. Singleton recounts his years as a slave in antebellum North Carolina, his escape to Union-occupied territory during the Civil War, and his wartime service in the African Brigade, before concluding with a brief sketch of his life after 1865.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
142 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 7, 2019
I became aware of this when it was referenced during a lecture I saw on CSPAN. As a slave memoir, this is rather sparse, but the author had a number of fascinating experiences. How many of us can say that we have met a President of the United States, much less one of Lincoln's stature? Other reviews have adequately summarized the short (just 23 pages) story. What makes this book worthwhile is the scholarly research invested by the editors. Putting the text in context is a 28 page introduction explaining antebellum society and providing an epilogue of the author's life after the period covered by the narrative. The greatest value added comes in the form of over 70 pages of illustrations, maps, genealogies, photos, footnotes and bibliography. The footnotes are especially helpful, as they apply historical documents to confirm and at times refute the author's memories. Given the short time investment required, this book is certain to be enjoyed by Civil War buffs.
June 16, 2015
This summery comes from the Crafting Freedom website. They summarize Singleton's life and narrative far better than I could hope to.
I read this book, along with Elizabeth Keckley's _Behind the Scenes, or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House_ in preparation for a week-long workshop this summer.
"William Henry Singleton was born enslaved ca. 1843 near New Bern, North Carolina. The son of Lettice, a slave woman, and a white man, William G. Singleton, who worked as a clerk in New Bern, William Henry Singleton was an agricultural worker who resisted slavery in several ways. He was sold at the age of four and taken to a farm near Atlanta, Georgia, perhaps because of friction between his master, John H. Nelson, an affluent planter, and Nelson's brother. At the age of six or seven, after being whipped repeatedly, Singleton decided to run away and return to his family in North Carolina. In his narrative, Singleton describes how he posed as the slave of a white woman, who allowed him to accompany her on a journey by stagecoach from Atlanta to Wilmington, North Carolina, a distance of over four hundred miles. Though only a child, with the aid of several black adults, he made his way from Wilmington to the Singleton plantation, 100 miles away.
In 1861 Singleton went to war as the servant to a young Confederate officer. A year later, when Federal troops were close enough, Singleton ran away to join the Union cause. Although Singleton was eager to serve in the Union army, an officer informed him that he could never be a full soldier because of his color. Singleton left the army camp with money he had earned there and decided to take matters into his own hands. He notes in his narrative, "I took that five dollars and hired the A. M. E. Zion church at Newbern and commenced to recruit a regiment of colored men. I secured the thousand men and they appointed me as their colonel and I drilled them with cornstalks for guns. We had no way, of course, of getting guns and equipment."
While encamped with General Ambrose E. Burnside after he and his troops had captured New Bern in the spring of 1862, Singleton met President Abraham Lincoln. The President declined Singleton’s offer of one thousand local black soldiers ready to fight, but expressed optimism for their future involvement in the war. Later, when Lincoln allowed black troops to serve the Northern cause, Singleton enlisted as a sergeant in the First North Carolina Colored Volunteers, serving honorably until 1866."
I read this book, along with Elizabeth Keckley's _Behind the Scenes, or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House_ in preparation for a week-long workshop this summer.
"William Henry Singleton was born enslaved ca. 1843 near New Bern, North Carolina. The son of Lettice, a slave woman, and a white man, William G. Singleton, who worked as a clerk in New Bern, William Henry Singleton was an agricultural worker who resisted slavery in several ways. He was sold at the age of four and taken to a farm near Atlanta, Georgia, perhaps because of friction between his master, John H. Nelson, an affluent planter, and Nelson's brother. At the age of six or seven, after being whipped repeatedly, Singleton decided to run away and return to his family in North Carolina. In his narrative, Singleton describes how he posed as the slave of a white woman, who allowed him to accompany her on a journey by stagecoach from Atlanta to Wilmington, North Carolina, a distance of over four hundred miles. Though only a child, with the aid of several black adults, he made his way from Wilmington to the Singleton plantation, 100 miles away.
In 1861 Singleton went to war as the servant to a young Confederate officer. A year later, when Federal troops were close enough, Singleton ran away to join the Union cause. Although Singleton was eager to serve in the Union army, an officer informed him that he could never be a full soldier because of his color. Singleton left the army camp with money he had earned there and decided to take matters into his own hands. He notes in his narrative, "I took that five dollars and hired the A. M. E. Zion church at Newbern and commenced to recruit a regiment of colored men. I secured the thousand men and they appointed me as their colonel and I drilled them with cornstalks for guns. We had no way, of course, of getting guns and equipment."
While encamped with General Ambrose E. Burnside after he and his troops had captured New Bern in the spring of 1862, Singleton met President Abraham Lincoln. The President declined Singleton’s offer of one thousand local black soldiers ready to fight, but expressed optimism for their future involvement in the war. Later, when Lincoln allowed black troops to serve the Northern cause, Singleton enlisted as a sergeant in the First North Carolina Colored Volunteers, serving honorably until 1866."
January 1, 2012
This is the autobiography of a slave, William Henry Singleton. There is an introduction by David Cecelski and Katherine Charron. Singleton wrote his autobiography in the 1920's looking back on his days as a slave in eastern NC before the civil war. He goes through some harrowing adventures. At one point, for example, he is sold to a master who takes him to his house near Atlanta. He escapes and gets himself all the way back to New Bern where he lives. This is as an 8-year-old. When the Union captured New Bern relatively early in the war, he escaped to freedom. He put on a Union uniform and fought in a number of battles.
March 26, 2017
Very interesting narrative given by an African American slave who fought in the Civil War. I was drawn to his story because for a time he lived in New Haven, CT where my great grandparents settled from Ireland. Both my parents were born in New Haven as well. A quick read for anyone interested in slavery and the Civil War and New Haven, CT in the 1880's.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews