The Department of History at Sam Houston State University has partnered with The Patricia & Bookman Peters Endowed Chair in History at Texas A&M University and The Society of Civil War Historians to hold a symposium on the lived experiences of African Americans in the Civil War.
Nationally renowned scholars will visit and discuss their research into how African Americans shaped the Civil War and how they helped lead the nation’s leaders toward emancipation. The event aims to start conversations between scholars and the public to spread awareness and promote scholarship in the area.
The event is free and open to the public. Sessions will take place on Oct. 12 in room 241 of the Lowman Student Center. The schedule of educational sessions is as follows:
Oct. 12
9 a.m.: Manhood, Families, and Black Military Service
- Frank Kalisik, III, “From Residency to Revolution: Social and Political Equality in the Midwest, 1848-1861”
- Kelly D. Mezurek, “‘Give my love to each of our dear little ones’: Examining Fatherhood through the Private Letters of Black Civil War Soldiers and Sailors”
- Holly A. Pinheiro, Jr., “‘Recognised Your Manhood’: Northern USCT Military Processions”
10:45 a.m.: New Perspectives on the Black Military Experience in New Orleans and Beyond
- Rory McGovern, “William N. Reed: Race, Agency, and Opportunity in the USCT”
- David Silkenat, “C.C. Antoine’s Civil War”
- Anthony J. Cade, II, “The Louisiana Native Guards and the Black Military Experience in the Gulf”
2 p.m.: Recovering Black Soldiers’ Lives: New Tools & Opportunities
- Lorien Foote, “The Escapees of the 44th USCI: An Opportunity for Research and Digital Publication”
- Barbara A. Gannon, “Recovering the Dead of Olustee”
3:45 p.m.: Confronting Consequences, Forging Memories
- Ryan Keating, “Policing the Freedmen: Stereotyping Race and Charity in the Post-Civil War South”
- Hilary Green, “Porch Stories: USCT Veterans, Kin, and Civil War Memory”
Each presentation will conclude with questions from the audience, with breaks provided between each session. On Oct. 13, the presenters will tour the Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library. After the tour, author Jonathan W. White will present “A House Built By Slaves,” followed by a book signing for White’s recently released book, “Final Resting Places: Reflections on the Meaning of Civil War Graves,” which was co-edited with SHSU’s Brian Matthew Jordan.
