Book Review: The Price of Freedom: How One Town Stood Up to Slavery

Judith Bloom Fradin and Dennis Brindell Fradin (2013) A Walker Book for Young People

This tells the story between one town, Oberlin, Ohio and the Fugitive Slave Act and slave hunters.  John Price had run away from Kentucky with his cousin Dinah and a friend Frank.  They followed the underground railroad North to the town of Oberlin, which boasted Oberlin College, numerous former slaves, as well as a population against slavery, feeling there was a higher law of what was “right” than the law of the land.  John and his friend stayed in Oberlin for some time.  His cousin went a separate way to avoid recapture.  John was captured by slave hunters.  As he was being driven off, he said to a college student that he was being kidnapped.  As soon as he was out of sight of the slave hunters, he ran to Oberlin to say what was happening.  John Price was being held in the Wadsworth Hotel in Wellington, Ohio.  Anderson Jennings had been promised $500 for the slave in Kentucky.  He planned to take the railroad.  Numerous citizens from Oberlin surrounded the hotel, demanding Price’s release.  The train showed up at 5:13, but Jennings did not try to make the train.  Reportedly there were federal Marshalls due to arrive on the 8 p.m. train.  They decided to storm the room.  They did so without anyone getting hurt, and rescued John Price.  It is assumed we fled to Canada.  President Buchanan decided to make an example of the citizens of Oberlin.  37 men were charged and convicted  of violating the Fugitive Slave Act.  They were sentenced to three months in jail.  Upon their release there was a big celebration.  The town pledged, “No fugitive slave shall ever be taken from Oberlin either with or without warrant, if we have power to prevent it.”  This was one of the things that fostered poor relations between the North and the South which eventually lead to the Civil War.

Documentary Review: Underground Railroad: History Channel

This documentary is well done.  It doesn't rely on historical reenactmenty, but research, and lets the story tell itself.  It starts off by pointing to the myths.  The underground railroad was not a railroad and it was not underground.  However it was a network of people helping people who were seeking freedom.  The message was spread through song, such as "Follow the Drinking Gourd" which gave instruction on the trail to follow, the drinking gourd being the big dipper which pointed to the north star. http://whilhelmsthoughts.blogspot.com/2014/03/poetry-i-like-follow-drinking-gourd.html "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" was a song used by Harriet Tubman to warn of danger. "The Gospel Trains A' Coming" would let people know they were preparing to run. 

This film also talks about the people of the under ground railroad.  This is called the first civil rights movement, with white people and black people working together.  Frederick Douglas, a former slave, was an outspoken voice against slavery.  Harriet Tubman was also African American, had fled to freedom, but went back and helped at least 200, many relatives, reach freedom.  She had been beaten by a slave owner when young, which resulted in a seizure disorder.  She bragged of never losing anyone on her "train."
Ripley, OH was a city just north of the Ohio River from Kentucky.  This city was to goal for many fleaing slaves.  John Rankin's home in Ripley was used as a safe house.  Another individual, John Parker, who was a former slave, would cross the river nightly, and search for fleeing slaves to ferry them across the river.  He would take them home, or to the home of John Rankin. 
Anthony Burns had escaped slavery, but as a result of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, when he was captured and taken to jail, and tried, his return to slavery was a forgone conclusion.  He was not allowed to talk in his own defense.  In Boston they were near riot with regards to the recapture of Anthony Burns.  The government had to spend almost $100,000 between preventing the riot by hiring guards and the trial.  When he was returned to slavery in Virginia, his owner wold him for $900.  Eventually his freedom was purchased by those in the North. 
Dread Scott had been living free for sometime, and sued for his own freedom.  He felt sure he would win, but when his case was heard by the Supreme Court, which had many members appointed by presidents form slave states, the court ruled against him.  This two cases infuriated citizens of the North.  Roger B, Taney, the Chief Justice presented the outcome, indicating the slaves were property, no people.
Antislavery sentiment in the North was further fostered by a novelist.  Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote "Uncle Tom's Cabin" which was published in 1852.  One abolitionist who put his sentiments into action was John Brown.  John Brown was raised in an abolitionist home, and carried this sentiment.  He hoped to carry the underground railroad to all the slaves, by provoking an uprising.  He was able to take the armory at Harper's Ferry, but the federal government reacted harshly.  Many of Brown's men were killed, and Brown was tried and hung.
It was an important battle of the Civil War which lead to the Emancipation Proclamation and freedom of the slaves.  This was a long time in coming.

Docuentary Review: Civil War (3): Ken Burns: Forever Free

This movie begins with the exploits of Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley.  Jackson was able to keep three armies occupied, and kept requested reinforcements from McClellan on the peninsula.  His motto in generalship was in full display:

“Always mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy, if possible; and when you strike and overcome him, never let up in the pursuit so long as your men have strength to follow; for an army routed, if hotly pursued, becomes panic-stricken, and can then be destroyed by half their number. The other rule is, never fight against heavy odds, if by any possible maneuvering you can hurl your own force on only a part, and that the weakest part, of your enemy and crush it. Such tactics will win every time, and a small army may thus destroy a large one in detail, and repeated victory will make it invincible.”

Then we have General Lee taking the initiative on the peninsula in the Seven Days Battle and pushing the federals back, and eventually forcing their withdrawal. The Confederates continued with momentum to the second battle of Bull Run or Mannasses.  Again this was a resounding defeat of the federals.   

This finally lead to the Confederate Army heading north into Maryland, and the Battle of Antietam.  There is a very good explanation of this battle.  Even though McClellan had General Lee's battle plans, he was still slow to act.  The documentary explains how there was a series of three major engagements.  First on the Confederate left, where Jackson's Corp held, just barely.  Despite the carnage Jackson said, "God has been very good to us."  Then in the center where there was a tremendous fight around the sunken road.  Initially this position was well defensed, until they were flanked.  Corpses were three deep in the road.  The Union could have followed up and split the confederate forces, but McClellan decided against this.  Lastly General George Burnside had to contend with crossing stone bridge which was defended by a much smaller group of confederates.  They finally were able to cross, but during their celebration they were counterattacked by newly arriving forces from Harper's Ferry under A.P. Hill.  Burnside requested reinforcements, but none were coming.  This battle proved to be the highest total one day loss of life during the war.  Casualties were heavier on the Union side; but Lee's losses represented a fourth of his forces. 

Abraham took the repulse of the Confederate forces as the victory he was looking for.  Only five days after the battle he issued the Emancipation Proclamation and changed the reason for the war.  The proclamation said all slaves in rebelling states were proclaimed free as of January 1st.  This lead to the organization of Black regiments.  The evening of December 31st, many emancipationist gathered
for a large party.  They heard from Frederick Douglas, and hailed Harriet Beecher Stowe.  The war was forever changed, and this moved made it so the Confederacy would not receive any aid from Europe.  What country wanted to defend slavery?  The "Battle Hymn of the Republic" had new meaning.  "As he died to made men holy, let us die to make men free."  If the North should be victorious and the country reunited, it would never be as before.

Myths of the Battle of Shiloh

This is the summary of an article about the battle of Shiloh by Timothy B. Smith.  The entire article is here:
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/shiloh/shiloh-history-articles/battle-of-shiloh-shattering.html
The basic story of Shiloh is that the Confederates surprised the Union forces, pushed them back, and then only through the heroism of Benjamin Prentiss and his division saved Grant's army at the sunken road and the Hornet's Nest.  Even so Grant was pushed back, but the untimely death of Albert Sidney Johnston, the blunders of his predecessor and the timely arrival of Union reinforcements in the person of General Buell was Grant kept from complete destruction.  This article makes the following points:
1. The Union was not totally surprised by the Confederate Attack.  However they were surprised as to the number of Confederates involved, and the Union leaders were convinced the big battle would not take place shortly.  Colonel Everett Peabody, against orders (orders were not to precipitate and engagement) sent reconnaissance forward and found the Confederate skirmishers less than a mile to his front.  This was April 5, and resulted in the start of the battle which began in earnest the next day. 
2. General Benjamin Prentiss is credited with being the hero of Shiloh.  However he was not alone.  However, of the generals at the sunken road, he was the only who survived and was able to tell his story.  By the time the were pushed back to the sunken road in front of the "hornet's nest" most of Prentiss' were out of action by this time.  It was General W.H.L. Wallace and his men responsible for most of the defense.  However Wallace was killed.
3.  The arrival of General Don Carlos Buell saved Grant's army.  Each of the generals described this differently, Buell saying he saved the day, while Grant insisted he had the situation well at hand.  At any rate on a small part of Buell's forces arrived.  Grants forces were well entrenched, and close to Pittsburg Landing were protected by fun boats on the river.
4.  Beuregard's decision to call off the attacks is why the North won.  This too is likely not true.  As mentioned, Union forces were well situated, and had the protection of the gun boats.  In fact the next morning attacks continued, but were not successful. 
5.  The South would have won had Johnston lived.  This again does not appear to be true.  The Confederates were undermanned, and did not have the big cannon of the gunboats.
6.  The sunken road was sunken.  In fact there was not sunken road, but a trail only.  It was only called this many years later.  However, the area in front of the "sunken" road was known as the Hornet's Nest because of the great bloodshed.  Grant said the bodies were so thick a person could walk across the field, stepping from body to body without ever having to touch the ground.

Documentary Review: Civil War 2: A Very Bloody Affair: Ken Burns

The title of this second episode refers to the Battle of Shiloh.  General Grant had established a line, and was waiting for General Don Carlos Buell to reinforce him so they together could march on Corinth, Mississippi.  However General Albert Sidney Johnston took the initiative, hoping to attack Grant before he could be reinforced.  The attack began April 6, 1862.  Initially the federals were able to collapse the federal line, and were pushing to Pittsburg Landing.  They met a defending force of Generals Benjamin Prentiss and G.H.L. Wallace which put up a fight at the sunken road (not really sunken) and the area became known as the hornet's nest.  It wasn't until the Confederates brought up 50 artillery that they were able to overcome this area and force surrender.  By then it was too late to continue much fighting around Pittsburg Landing and force Grant to retreat.  Johnston lead the last charge at the hornet's nest, in which he was wounded. 

The femoral artery was shot, and with his surgeon unavailable, he bled out and died, leaving G.B.T. Beauregard in command.  After the first day Beauregard reported to President Jefferson Davis that he expected to clean up Grant the next day.  For his part, Grant did not feel defeated.  When his second in command met him, this conversation ensued: " 'Well, Grant,' said Sherman, 'we've had the devil's own day, haven't we?' 'Yes,' Grant replied, 'lick 'em tomorrow, though.' "
With reinforcements from Buell, the Union army was able to counter attack and control the field the next day.  Shiloh represented the bloodiest battle in American history to that point.  In face more casualties occurred in this battle than all other battles combined to that point.  "Union casualties were 13,047 (1,754 killed, 8,408 wounded, and 2,885 missing); Grant's army bore the brunt of the fighting over the two days, with casualties of 1,513 killed, 6,601 wounded, and 2,830 missing or captured. Confederate casualties were 10,699 (1,728 killed, 8,012 wounded, and 959 missing or captured)."  (Wikipedia)   There are at least 30 battles to come, which will be just as bloody.
As for the Eastern theater, Lincoln after many months delay, finally got General George McClellan to move.  He landed at Fort Monroe, and the peninsula southeast of Richmond.  However instead of attacking strait off, he got the slows and the fears, thinking the Confederate forces were much larger than the actually were.  By the time he moved, the Confederates had reinforced.  He got to within nine miles of Richmond, with only token resistance.
They other story told in this episode was that of the first ironclad battle.  The Confederates had no navy, but took a scuttled ship, re floated it and lined it with an iron hull.  It went to contend with the federal navy, and the first day, nothing could stand in its way.  However, the next day it met the Merimac, a Union iron clad with a revolving turret designed by Robert Fulton.  The two vessels battled to a stand still.  From this day, the navies of the world were obsolete. 
This episode continues the account of the bloody affair, and tells the first terrible bloody battle.  There are at least 30 battles, which will be just as bloody yet to come.  The episodes is spiced with comments from Frederick Douglas (read by Morgan Freeman) on how the war has to become one of the struggle for freedom for the slaves.
Also the account of the writing of the lyrics for the "Battle Hymn of the Republic".  It was written to the music of "John Brown's Body" by Harriet Beecher Stowe:
 Mine eyes have seen the glory
Of the coming of the Lord
He is trampling out the vintage
Where the grapes of wrath are stored
He has loosed the fateful lightening
Of His terrible swift sword
His truth is marching on

Documentary Review: Civil War 1: The Cause: Ken Burns

This documentary begins with the story of Wilmer McLean as he lived near Manassas, and the war started mostly in his front year.  He moved away to a safer location--Appomattax Court House, and the war ended in his in his parlor where Lee surrendered to Grant.  McLean could say "The war began in my front yard and ended in my front parlor".
Burns then explores the roots for the Civil War, which were laid in the constitution, when slavery was allowed to exist, and we in essence had two Americas.  Eli Whitney, and the  cotton gin made it so slavery could be economically feasible.  There are scenes from the history of slavery.  Not pleasant scenes, and talk of how difficult it would be to raise a family in this environment, where you could be sold, and separated, at the benefit of others.
Abolitionists were hated by the South.  In the book, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Harriet Beecher Stowe put in print what many felt, and effected a world with her words.  Even the Queen of England was moved by them.
Abraham Lincoln said in 1858:  A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other. Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward, till it shall become lawful in all the States, old as well as new — North as well as South.
For many years there was a precarious balance in the federal government, slave vs free state.  Those in the North worried slavery would extend to the West, and those in the South that it wouldn't.
Alton, Illinois was the first town to see a man murdered because he was abolitionist.  He published a newspaper, and when a mob came to destroy the press, he went out to dissuade them with a pistol.  He was shot and killed.
It was declared Kansas could decide for themselves, slavery or free.  This lead to a bloody conflict that lasted over ten years, and is where John Brown got his start hacking people to death.  He took his abolitionist zeal to Harper's Ferry, Virginia, where he hoped to start a revolt of the slaves.  This did not happen, and he was captured, tried and hung for treason. 
The Republican party took advantage of a divided nation, and Abraham Lincoln won the presidency with 40 percent of the vote.  He was not on the ballot in five states.  Shortly after his election, and before his confirmation, states began to secede.
The conflict started in South Carolina.  The bombardment began at 4 a.m. April 12, 1861.  The next day, about 36 hours later the white flag went up, and Major Robert Anderson surrendered to General P.G.T. Beauregard.
The nation set about recruiting armies on both sides.  There was much enthusiasm.  General Winfield Scott of the Union side was hesitant to use the army, saying they were not an army, because of their newness.  Lincoln reminded him, "Your men are green it is true, but so are those of the enemy; you are all green alike."  Prominent citizens came to watch, the the Union forces initially succeeded.  However the day would belong to the Confederates as the Union army hit a Stonewall in General Thomas Jackson and his men.  They then succumbed to a counter attack, and ran back to Washington.
The war was going to be much more than a quick affair.  William Tecumseh Sherman asked for 200,000 men in the West, and predicted a long bloody affair.
This first episode ends with letter from Sullivan Ballou, written a week before his death at First Bull Run.  It starts:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days—perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write you again, I feel impelled to write lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more.
Our movement may be one of a few days duration and full of pleasure—and it may be one of severe conflict and death to me. Not my will, but thine O God, be done. If it is necessary that I should fall on the battlefield for my country, I am ready. I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in, the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the Government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt.

This begins one of the most enjoyed documentaries in American history, the telling of the Civil War.  Shelby Foote, Civil War historian adds little stories throughout, peppering the documentary.  The music from the era used in the documentary is also very compelling.  The Narrator is David McCullough.  Noted actors are used to read quotations form prominent men.  This documentary uses pictures, and not reenactors to show what is happening.  I like this and it makes the message more powerful.    

Book Review: Obama’s America: Unmaking the American Dream by Dinesh D’Souza

There are some things with regards to Obama’s politics that are very puzzling.  This book tries to make sense of some of the puzzlements.  For one, why does Obama put up roadblocks for domestic energy production, coal, natural gas and oil; while at the same time using federal money to finance oil production in Brazil, Mexico and Colombia.  Those supplies are not guaranteed to benefit the U.S.  D’Souza explain this by contending that Obama is antic-colonialist rather than environmentalist.  He may use the environmental claim, but then he would be consistent.  This book is very similar to the movie “2016 Obama’s America,” and covers much of the same material.  Another paradox is Obama’s selection of who he tackles in the Middle East.  He takes out Mubarak in Egypt but withdrawing support, as he did Khadafy in Libya; however he leaves Abbas in Syria and Khomeini in Iran.  He had opportunities to topples those governments as well, but chose not to intervene.  We have all seen what a mess there is in Libya now, and what Egypt was becoming until the military stepped in.  D’Souza explains this again as consistent with anti-colonialism.  Another is his vitriol towards his grandfather, adoration of his father, and ignoring his brother who lives in a shack.  His is not one of being charitable, but of trying to force others to be charitable by taxing—all in the name of fairness.  Another paradox is why is he so interesting in disarming America, while really doing next to nothing form thwarting Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon.  D’Souza again blames this on the same attitude of anti-colonialism.  Finally the attitude of the Obama’s, of entitlement, taking multiple vacations in not one jet but two, is a manifestation of the anti-colonial dictator's attitude. 

I don’t know what to make of everything D'Souza says, however I can say that we have taken a big step backwards as a nation with Obama as president.  Net worth is down 40 percent so far (making us more equal to other nations) with likely more decline to come.  However the big step backwards is one of apparent corruption.  The author of this book is under indictment for campaign donation violations.  Could this be a “get him” tactic.  If it smells like a duck and looks like a duck and walks like a duck it likely is a duck.  This administration has polluted the IRS, using them to thwart the application for tax-exempt status of conservative groups.  It just seems like we are starting to look like Chavez’ Venezuela more and more.  Now they want FAA people embedded with the media to do what? 

This type of book is a bit depressing, but good to check out this stuff.  I am not sure if I agree totally, but D’Souza makes a good enough case to attract the attention of the Obama administration and the Attorney General’s office.  How many more of us have been targets?

This book is very similarto his documentary movie "2016 Obama's America."  http://bwardlehistory.blogspot.com/2012/08/movie-review-2016-obamas-america.html