A study of Black soldiers, and their exploits, who fought for both the North and South, eventually gaining not personal freedom so much as the struggle to become economically free and successful.

Appendices include listings of units, encampments, officers, an index of battles in which units fought and other statistical information on the troop strengths.

In the beginning -- The officers -- The soldiers -- Medals, weapons, flags & battles -- Documents -- When it was over -- Appendices. Colored troops dates of organization and muster-out, states furnishing men, and armament -- U.S. Colored Troops : Army Corps -- U.S.C.T draft rendezvous encampments -- Black officers in the Civil War -- White officers receiving the Medal of Honor leading colored troops -- Sutlers with the U.S. Colored Troops -- Index of battles -- Regiments that lost fifty or more men -- Effective strength of U.S.C.T. regiments -- Colored troops furnished by the States and District of Columbia -- Deaths in the U.S.C.T. -- Colored sailors in the U.S. Navy -- Bibliography and suggested reading