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A Brave Black Regiment, First Edition, with Ritch

Currency:USD Category:Antiques Start Price:550.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 600.00 USD
A Brave Black Regiment, First Edition, with Ritch
<B>"A Brave Black Regiment," First Edition, with Ritchie Autograph Letter Signed: History of the Fifty-fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1863-1865</B></I> By Luis F. Emilio. One of the rarest and most desirable of all Civil War histories, this book, <I>A Brave Black Regiment,</B></I> traces the story of this black regiment made famous in the 1989 film, <I>Glory.</B></I> The author, a captain in the regiment, used various sources for the book, but much came from the journal of their Regimental Quartermaster Lt. John Ritchie. It covers James Island, Fort Wagner, Charleston, Olustee and Honey Hill. This particular book is inscribed, signed and dated (1891) to Wendell Garrison by Ritchie. Also included in this lot is a two page ALS to Garrison regarding the book. I quote from this letter <I>"I think you will find the work most excellently done. It has been Emilio's life occupation for the past 25 years." "...has consulted everything and everybody on Federate and Confederate side that he could get hold of." "There is no spread-eagle, no laudation, no singling out of one over another, but an honest effort to tell all that is known about both officer and private in simple plain language." "It is a credit to Emilio, the Regiment, and to the Cause."</B></I> The 54th Massachusetts Infantry was organized in March 1863 by Robert Gould Shaw, the son of a prominent Boston abolitionist. It was made up primarily of free northern blacks including two sons of Frederick Douglass. Colonel Shaw (played by Matthew Broderick in the film) was killed at Battery Wagner in South Carolina as he shouted, <I>"Forward, Fifty-fourth!"</B></I> The 54th played an important role in the Union's efforts in the South and used a battle cry of <I>"Three cheers for Massachusetts and seven dollars a month,"</B></I> referring to the controversial difference in pay between black and white troops. The Regiment was mustered out in August of 1865. This book was published in Boston by the Boston Book Company in 1891; near-excellent condition; blue cloth with gilt title; 410 pages; illustrated; map included. You won't find a nicer copy with better association anywhere! Lot:251