THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC (G.A.R.) CIVIL WAR MUSEUM & ARCHIVE
Presents a New Program via ZOOM
Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 1pm
African Americans and the Gettysburg Campaign:
The Many Ways that African Americans Affected and Were Affected by the Gettysburg Campaign”
By James Paradis
This presentation examines the black residents of the town who lived “on the fault line” between slavery and freedom, and the impact of the battle on them. This talk gives an account of the unheralded, but important, part played by the thousands of African Americans who accompanied both armies to the battlefield. We will also tell the little-known story of Black volunteers from Pennsylvania who engaged the Southern invaders in combat during the invasion. Finally, we will consider the response of African Americans who came forward during the aftermath of the battle.
James Paradis teaches at Arcadia University. He recently retired from Doane Academy where he served as Dean of the Upper School and taught history for 35 years. He has authored two books. His doctoral dissertation at Temple University became "Strike the Blow for Freedom: The 6th United States Colored Infantry in the Civil War." His second book, "African Americans and the Gettysburg Campaign," with foreword by Edwin C. Bearss, Chief Historian Emeritus, National Park Service, was published by Scarecrow Press, a division of Rowman and Littlefield, 2005. An expanded Sesquicentennial Edition was released in September 2012.
Dr. Paradis has served for many years on the board of directors of Citizens for the Restoration of Historical La Mott, which preserves of the site of Camp William Penn, the first and largest training camp for Black soldiers in the Civil War. He served as historical consultant and narrator for the documentary film, "Black Soldiers in Blue: The Story of Camp William Penn," released in 2009. In 2011 the NAACP of Cheltenham, PA awarded him a Certificate of Recognition for his contributions preserving African American history.
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A FREE virtual program online
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC MUSEUM & ARCHIVE
In its new location:
8110 Frankford Ave. (Holmesburg - N.E. Philadelphia)
www.garmuslib.org