9:00 A.M. Opening Session & Keynote Address
Kerri Moseley-Hobbs: "Enslaved, Enlisted, and Eternal: A Story of Sacrifice and Resolve" 
This keynote brings history to life by weaving the compelling, true story of Thomas Fraction and his brother Othello Fraction, two former enslaved men who joined the United States Colored Troops (USCT) during the Civil War. Detailed state and federal records layout their extraordinary journey from enslavement to service in the fight for freedom, to what their lives were like post-Civil War. The presentation personalizes the broader historical narrative of the USCT shedding light on the profound impact of individuals whose voices shaped the course of history.

 

Concurrent Sessions Offered - Attendees will choose which of the presentations listed below that they would like to attend. (These times include 15 minutes break and travel time; each session is approximately one hour.)

​

10:30 – 11:45 A.M.

11:45 - 12:45 P.M. - Break for Lunch (menu below)

12:45 – 2:00 P.M.

2:00 – 3:15 P.M.

Jonathan Lande: Battles for Freedom within the USCT
As the war raged on battlefields, Black soldiers also waged a war for freedom within the United States Colored Troops (USCT). This discussion of their struggles shows that members of the USCT who were enslaved just months or weeks before enlisting battled against oppressive conditions within the US Army to shape freedom. These men pushed back against constraints by leaving camp for short, unauthorized breaks, so they could help their families stuck in slavery, recover from debilitating diseases, and evade violent white officers. Many were caught and tried for desertion. During their trials and after conviction, they defended their actions. They stated in courts and from military prisons that they left to make freedom meaningful after decades in chains. Their dogged efforts reveal that the war of emancipation fought so bravely in combat continued in the army’s camps and military justice system.
 

Christopher Hamner: Soldiering in the Civil War armies
Over four years of fighting, the Civil War threw hundreds of thousands of Americans—most with no previous military experience—into some of the most brutal close combat the world had ever seen. How did the soldiers of the Civil War face battle, and summon the will to go under fire time and again? This discussion examines the technology and tactics of mid-nineteenth century infantry fighting and explores the motivations that ordinary Americans drew upon as soldiers when facing the terror and carnage of the Civil War battlefield.

Christopher Hamner: Service, citizenship, and the vote: Black veterans and the postwar settlement
Black leaders like Frederick Douglass viewed Black service during the Civil War as indispensable. Not only would it allow those most directly affected by slavery to aid in its destruction, but uniformed military service would make a powerful case for Black citizenship and civil rights after the war. Douglass pushed for the recruitment of Black troops and for their service in combat units as the strongest argument for universal citizenship after the war.
This discussion explores the debates over Black citizenship and voting rights in the years following the Civil War, with special attention to the arguments that defined the terms of the political conversation and shaped the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to the Constitution. 

Kerri Moseley-Hobbs: Breaking the Codes: Navigating the Virginia Black Codes
Dive into the realities of the Virginia Black Codes in this engaging breakout session. Through guided activities, participants will explore the restrictive laws designed to control the lives of newly freed African Americans after the Civil War. Engage in an interactive simulation that highlights the decisions individuals had to make under these oppressive conditions and the lasting impact of these laws. This session will encourage critical thinking and discussions about the resilience of those subjected to the systemic barriers.

Kerri Moseley-Hobbs: Life After the Fight: Decisions and Consequences for United States Colored Troops
Explore the challenges and opportunities faced by United States Colored Troops after the Civil War in this interactive breakout session. Participants will step into the shoes of these former soldiers, making critical decisions about their futures—such as employment, education, and family life—and discover the real-world consequences of those choices. Through this immersive experience, gain a deeper understanding of the resilience and determination required to navigate a nation still grappling with the legacy of slavery and war.

Sarah Plummer, Virginia Tech students & local researchers: The Rediscovered histories of Franklin County’s USCT 
Mellon Postdoctoral Associate Sarah Plummer led 15 Virginia Tech students as they researched the 70 Franklin County USCT soldiers for their Appalachian Community Research class project. The students presented at the Appalachian Regional Commission in Arlington in December. The students found the research both uplifting and disheartening as they discovered inspiring stories as well as struggles and hardships before, during and after the war.
Several students will be available to present and discuss their research in an informal setting. 
Local researchers worked with the students and expanded upon the research to learn more about these men before, during, and after the war. They will be available to discuss their findings as well.
There will be displays and artifacts illustrating the individuals USCT members’ stories and the African American Civil War Museum traveling exhibit, “A Glorious March to Liberty,” a free-standing, eleven-panel display with text, graphics, and scannable QR for film viewing.
This session is interactive and allows participants more time to view displays and ponder their significance as well as talk informally amongst themselves.

​​​

​

Closing Session 3:15 – 4:30 PM: Fire of Freedom: A USCT Soldier Talks Across Time
Mike Wiley portrays Abraham H. Galloway (1837-1870), a fiery young slave rebel, radical abolitionist, and Union spy who rose out of bondage to become one of the most significant and stirring black leaders in the South during the Civil War. Risking his life behind enemy lines, he recruited black soldiers for the USCT and fought racism in the Union Army's ranks. He also stood at the forefront of an African American political movement. He led a historic delegation of black Southerners to the White House to meet with President Lincoln to demand the full rights of citizenship. He later became one of the first black men elected to the North Carolina legislature. Long hidden from history, Galloway's story reveals a war unfamiliar to most. Come and be recruited by Galloway to join the USCT and the fight for freedom.

Mike Wiley and writer, documentarian, and Duke professor, Charlie Thompson collaborate on a time-traveling interview with a USCT Soldier. Session participants may submit questions for the interview.

​​

​

Lunch Menu:

Lunch for the Forum is an All-you-can-eat salad bar served with:

• Chicken salad, tuna salad, potato salad, pasta salad

• Lettuce, tomato, cucumbers, green peppers, onions, carrots

• Bacon bits, croutons, shredded cheese

• Assorted dressings

• Crackers, cottage cheese, fruit

• Choice of one dessert

​

​