{"product_id":"9780393349610","title":"PRE-ORDER NOW Firebrand of Liberty : The Story of Two Black Regiments That Changed the Course of the Civil War by Stephen V. Ash","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e PRE-ORDER NOW - Published: 08\/05\/2026 \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn March 1863, nine hundred black Union soldiers, led by white officers, invaded Florida and seized the town of Jacksonville. They were among the  first African American troops in the Northern  army, and their expedition into enemy territory  was like no other in the Civil War. It was  intended as an assault on slavery by which  thousands would be freed.   At the center of the  story is prominent abolitionist Colonel Thomas  Wentworth Higginson, who led one of the  regiments. After waging battle for three weeks,  Higginson and his men were mysteriously ordered  to withdraw, their mission a seeming failure.  Yet their successes in resisting the  Confederates and collaborating with white Union  forces persuaded President Abraham Lincoln to  begin full-scale recruitment of black troops, a  momentous decision that helped turned the tide  of the war.   Using long-neglected primary  sources, historian Stephen V. Ash's stirring  narrative re-creates this event with insight,  vivid characterizations, and a keen sense of  drama. \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003eBinding: Paperback \/ softback","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56419568419189,"sku":"9780393349610","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780393349610.jpg?v=1764598578","url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/products\/9780393349610","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}