Slavery and Freedom in the Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War Era

This book explores the often-overlooked experiences of African Americans in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley from the antebellum era through Reconstruction, highlighting the region's enduring reliance on slavery and the complex lives of its Black population. It reveals how enslaved and free African Americans navigated a shifting borderland during the Civil War, supporting the Union effort through various acts of resistance and service. Drawing on primary sources, the author also examines the post-war challenges faced by African Americans and their efforts to uphold the legacy of emancipation amid regional volatility.