One of the most profound aspects of the Civil War was the freeing of some 4 million enslaved people in the southern states. The road to freedom was rough, but for none more so than the African-Americans who enlisted in the Union army to help the cause of emancipation. This talk will address the rocky path to the Emancipation Proclamation, which allowed African-Americans to enlist in the army. Professor Koch will also discuss the experiences of the 29th and 30th Regiments, which were raised here in Connecticut.
David Koch is an Assistant Professor of History at Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, Ct. Koch’s specialty areas are the Civil War and Native American History. He has worked for national historical and natural sites, promoting the nation’s physical and historical heritage. He has also lectured for organizations in the U.S. and in Europe on such topics as Civil War Battles, Medicine in the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln’s life and political activities, and Slavery and the American Experience, as well as specialized presentations on the Gettysburg National Cemetery, the Battle of Gettysburg, and Connecticut in the Civil War.
