Amidst the war, the First African Baptist Church of Savannah, Georgia continues to thrive. Many African Baptists prefer to attend all-black congregations, although even then white ministers maintain a hand in overseeing the operations of such congregations in the South. Savannah’s First African Baptist congregation is comprised of both enslaved and free Africans. The church…
The year draws to a close with some encouraging news for the United States: the coastal city of Biloxi, Mississippi surrenders to Union forces hours before the calendar turns. The success on the Mississippi coast caps a string of coastal victories for the United States Navy during 1861. So successful has the U.S. Navy been…
In the deep South, Union forces now have a secure hold on the South Carolina coast. Beaufort is under control of the 100th Pennsylvania Regiment, the men of whom are convinced they are following the directive of God in ensuring the welfare of the freedmen under their protection, following a victorious fall campaign against Confederate…