I freed myself: African American self-emancipation in the Civil War era

Introduction: Following the footsteps of the slaves. They are freeing themselves ; A story too long in the shadows

1. "Yes, we all shall be free" : pressing the nation toward freedom. Slavery without submission ; Contesting northern slavery ; Preparing to meet the crisis ; More cases of insubordination than ever ; Insurrection and the knell of slavery

2. "Shedding the first blood" : forcing a war for freedom. The enemy at home ; Blind, unreasoning prejudice ; Impossible to keep them outside our lines ; They say they are free ; What shall we do with the contrabands? ; A new departure for the president ; A half-way measure

3. "Ready to die for liberty" : expanding the boundaries of freedom. They know everything that happens ; Unoffending Negroes brutally assailed ; We will fight for our rights and liberty ; Entering the army by hundreds and thousands ; We did our duty as men ; They treat the men like dogs ; Little aid from the government

4. "Full equality before the law" : claiming the rights of freedom. The "faithful slave" is about played out ; Ready to help anybody opposed to the rebels ; We has a right to the land ; Southern Negroes must stay where they are ; It is enough to free them ; A partial emancipation unworthy of the name

5. "All we ask is justice" : continuing struggles for freedom. Demanding absolute legal equality ; The old slave laws remain unrepealed ; Every man who voted was watched ; Rebel rule is now nearly complete ; But I kept on.