Basic Afro-American reprint library

The call to arms of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry stands as a turning point not only in the Civil War, but in the history of the United States military. The men of the Fighting 54th, upon whose exploits the acclaimed film Glory was based, fired the first shots in a battle for racial equality that continues today. Written by one of the young idealistic white officers who led them on the field, A Breve Black Regiment is a firsthand account of their extraordinary physical and moral courage. Poorly supplied and underpaid, they rushed headlong into battle fully aware of the terrible consequences that awaited them should they fall into Confederate hands. They received their baptism of fire at James Island and went on to distinguish themselves in some of the fiercest fighting of the war —marching into history at Charleston, where they led the legendary assault on Fort Wagner. Here is the stirring account of the valor and patriotism of these brave men who sacrificed their lives for a dream of freedom and a glory that will never die.

A comprehensive history of the first hundred years of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church which details the genesis of the Bethel Churches in Baltimore and Philadelphia, including the poor treatment of blacks in white churches that ultimately led to the formation of separate denominations for the races and the spread of the A.M.E. Church to New York, westward to California and north to Canada. Also the Church's activities in Haiti and Santo Domingo, missionaries situations--their hopes as well as the obstacles they faced and the question of missions to Africa are addressed. Other topics include religious observance (such as the keeping of the Sabbath as well as the matter of divorce) and political significance (such as slavery and abolition), Bishop Morris Brown, and music in the Church. Drawn from manuscripts, church records, journals, pamphlets, minutes of Conferences, and letters, including many by Richard Allen, Payne's History of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is a comprehensive resource for readers interested in A.M.E. church history and African American history.