This book seeks to recover the lives and words of former slaves in detail by mining the case files of the U.S. Pension Bureau. These files contain first-hand perspective of slavery, emancipation, black military service, and freedom. It also explores the words of former slaves topically from recollections of slavery to life after emancipation.

Slavery and emancipation -- The Civil War -- Postwar patterns -- Marriage and family -- Appendix : Complete sample documents.