Out of the Briars

In this intimate memoir, a former enslaved child chronicles his journey from the thorny fields of bondage to the pulpit and the battlefield. Drawing from a painstaking daily diary kept for decades, he recounts his early years of poverty, self‑education through listening to educated white speakers, and his eventual call to serve as a pastor. The narrative also weaves in vivid sketches of the Twenty‑ninth Connecticut Volunteers, the regiment in which he fought during the Civil War. Through these recollections, listeners hear the sounds of camp, the camaraderie of soldiers, and the stark realities of a nation at war.

Beyond the war, the author reflects on his spiritual calling, the support of his wife Lulu, and the mentors who guided him. His purpose is clear: to offer a humble record that can encourage young people of his race to emulate his virtues and avoid his failings. The tone remains earnest and reverent, inviting listeners to share in a life shaped by perseverance, faith, and a desire to serve a higher calling.