[act-ma] REMINDER: Mon 2/13- BLACK SOLDIERS IN THE WAR OF THE SLAVEOWNERS' REBELLION (OB FSU)

[David O. Knuttunen]

Occupy Boston - Free School University 

BLACK SOLDIERS IN THE WAR OF THE SLAVEOWNERS' REBELLION

A presentation based on the memoirs of Civil War Veteran Norwood P.
Hallowell, by Quentin Davis, editor of the memoirs, and members of the Peter
Brace Brigade, Civil War re enactors of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment.

When: Monday, February 13, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm (doors open 3:15)

Where:  The Community Church of Boston - 565 Boylston St. -  Boston  (Copley
Square, Between Arlington and Copley Square T Stops).  Wheelchair
accessible.

The book, Black Soldiers in the War of the Slaveowners' Rebellion,  is
composed of selected letters and papers of Norwood Penrose Hallowell, one of
the "Fighting Quakers," a very active Abolitionist.

The Hallowell brothers were "Fighting Quakers".   Though they were avowed
pacifists, ending slavery was so important to them that they joined the Army
despite the disapproval of their Quaker Meeting group (though the Meeting
never expelled them). Norwood Hallowell was so respected by Massachusetts
Governor John Andrews, that for a time he was appointed to the command of
the newly formed 55th, the second all-Black  Regiment. He admired his men
greatly and most of the book is about them. 

The Peter Brace Brigade of Civil War re-enactors is named in honor of a
Black soldier in the Massachusetts 54th Colored Troop.  Peter Brace was
descended from Jeffrey Brace, who fought for the Continental Army of the
American Revolutionary War while still a slave. He earned his freedom for
his service in the War and settled in Vermont, a newly formed state and the
first to outlaw slavery. The Brace family is represented in the current
generation of re-enactors.

About the book: "The essays and letters ... offer a passionate portrayal of
the Black soldier in the Civil War - the war of the slaveowners' rebellion -
as a champion of his own fight for emancipation. In reading Hallowell one
more fully appreciates that the former slaves were not the 'leaves' of
history blown by winds beyond their control, but were self-conscious
elements in their own fight." - Bill Fletcher, Jr., co-author "Solidarity
Divided" & immediate past president of TransAfrica The Forum. 

About Quentin Davis:  Ms. Davis was New England Regional Secretary, SDS,
1965-66; President, NICE Day Care;  Board Member, Davis-Putter Scholarship
Fund, 1960-2011.  Great granddaughter of Norwood P. Hallowell.

Event Sponsors: Free School University of Occupy Boston,  Peter Brace
Brigade,  and the Community Church of Boston

For more information about the Peter Brace Brigade and Norwood Penrose
Hallowell email quen55tin55 at hotmail.com or call 617-364-5025.