BLACK CLOUD RISING

James Shippy impeccably narrates this little known event in Civil War history. One-armed abolitionist General Edward Wild led the African Brigade to rout Confederate irregulars and bushwhackers to free Virginians and North Carolinians who were still enslaved. Listeners meet Wild's contingent of formerly enslaved people. Most interesting is highly educated Sergeant Richard Etheridge, the Black son of a white slaveholder. The action surges when Etheridge leaves the plantation to join Wild, who increasingly entrusts him with more responsibility. Lurid reports from front lines via NEW YORK TIMES reporter Tewksbury add authenticity. Shippy flawlessly conveys diverse accents, personalities, and conversations vital to the account. Audio enriches this sublime look at African-Americans in American history. S.G.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2022]