Lincoln and the U.S. Colored Troops

Though scholars have written much on emancipation and the U.S. Colored Troops, Smith's work frames the evolution of Lincoln's ideas within congressional actions, explaining how, when, and why the president seemed to be so halting in his progression to military emancipation. After tracing Lincoln's evolution from opposing to supporting emancipation as a necessary war measure and to championing the recruitment of black troops, Smith details the creation, mobilization, and diverse military service of the USCT.