Join us on Friday, February 20 as we celebrate Black History Month with a presentation by Dr. Bennett Parten based on his highly acclaimed book, Somewhere Toward Freedom: Sherman’s March and the Story of America’s Largest Emancipation.
In the fall of 1864, Gen. William T. Sherman led his army through Atlanta, blazing a path of destruction as they headed east across the state to Savannah. While the army marched through town after Confederate town, plantation owners fled… But even before they did so, slaves self-emancipated by physically joining the Union lines. By the time the army seized Savannah in December, as many as 20,000 enslaved people had attached themselves to Sherman’s army in the expectation that the company would help free them.
Dr. Parten’s book is a new, breakthrough account that reframes Sherman’s March as the largest liberation event in American history. His compelling narrative is the first to focus on the myriad stories of the enslaved individuals who self-emancipated. It’s a journey told through the lens of resilience, hope, and the beginning sparks of Reconstruction.
Dr. Parten is an associate professor of history at Georgia Southern University. He Is a native of Royston, GA, and currently lives in Savannah. He completed his PhD in history at Yale University in 2022.
Dinner reservations for this event must be made by noon on Sunday February 8. RSVP to our membership chair, Michael Margolius, atmembership@harrisburgcwrt.org
Please pay in advance using PayPal or a credit card below, or pay by check, cash, or credit card at the door. If paying below, you may make reservations for multiple guests. After selecting the month and entering the name of each guest, you will select the quantity on the next page.
