Paradis’ Account of Black Union Infantry Highlighted in Military Images

August 18, 2015

Source: They Laid Down Their Lives for the Flag

Dr. James M. Paradis, adjunct professor of history, was quoted in the Summer 2015 issue of Military Images, a magazine dedicated to the photographic history of the Civil War.

The article details the history of the 6th United States Colored Infantry, one of 11 regiments to train at Camp William Penn, Philadelphia, the first and largest training ground for black soldiers. The regiment went on to construct trenches at the front lines and successfully attack Confederate defenses, influencing public opinion on black soldiers and military equality.

Paradis was quoted on the regiment’s role in the January 1865 assault on Fort Fisher.

“The black troops had done their job, keeping possible reinforcements from reaching Fort Fisher and from attacking the Union rear,” writes Paradis, taken from his book Strike the Blow for Freedom: The 6th United States Colored Infantry in the Civil War.

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 James Paradis