Abolitionist of the Most Dangerous Kind: JamesMontgomery and His War on Slavery
By Todd Mildfelt and David D. Schafer
For many people, their introduction to James Montgomery
comes from the 1989 motion picture Glory, in which Montgomery is
portrayed as a controversial and aggressive Union officer operating along the
South Carolina coast during the Civil War. However, the man behind the
Hollywood portrayal was a far more complicated and fascinating figure. In Abolitionist
of the Most Dangerous Kind: James Montgomery and His War on Slavery,
co-authors Todd Mildfelt and David D. Schafer take readers beyond the movie
screen to explore the life, military career, and uncompromising opposition to
slavery of one of the Civil War's more unconventional officers.
Montgomery was no ordinary soldier. A committed
abolitionist, he believed the destruction of slavery was central to the purpose
of the war. His military operations reflected those convictions, often placing
him at odds with more conservative Union commanders and earning him a
reputation as a difficult and controversial subordinate. His service in Kansas
during the violent years preceding the Civil War and his subsequent campaigns
in Missouri and along the South Carolina coast reveal a man whose personal
convictions frequently shaped his military decisions.
One of the strengths of this book is its examination of
Montgomery as an abolitionist first and a military officer second. His actions,
relationships with fellow officers, and willingness to challenge conventional
military practices provide a valuable perspective on the complicated
relationship between emancipation and military policy during the Civil War.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Montgomery's
character is the contradiction between his passionate opposition to slavery and
his own racial attitudes. Although committed to emancipation, Montgomery was
hardly a modern advocate of racial equality. His criticism of members of the
54th Massachusetts Infantry for refusing to accept unequal pay, including a
decidedly racist speech, illustrates the complicated attitudes that could exist
even among those who fought against slavery. The authors deserve credit for
addressing this uncomfortable episode rather than simply celebrating Montgomery
as an abolitionist hero.
While the book is impressively researched, its considerable
length and attention to political and military detail may occasionally
challenge readers looking for a more straightforward biography. At
approximately 400 pages, the narrative can become somewhat dense, particularly
in its treatment of the complicated political and military circumstances
surrounding Montgomery's activities. Some readers may also wish for an even
greater emphasis on the experiences and perspectives of the enslaved people
whose freedom was central to Montgomery's mission. Nevertheless, the extensive
research provides important historical context and is one of the book's
greatest strengths.
For readers whose only knowledge of Montgomery comes from Glory,
this biography offers an opportunity to separate the historical figure from his
cinematic portrayal. The movie provides only a glimpse of his story; Mildfelt
and Schafer supply the historical background and context necessary to
appreciate the man, his motivations, and his contradictions.
Abolitionist of the Most Dangerous Kind is a
worthwhile addition to the Civil War bookshelf, particularly for readers
interested in abolitionism, Bleeding Kansas, emancipation, and the individuals
whose convictions influenced the conduct of the war. James Montgomery may not
be among the best-known Union officers, but his story deserves considerably
more attention than a supporting role in a Hollywood film.
About the Authors
Todd Mildfelt taught history, social studies,
and science in special education programs in secondary schools. He researches
and writes about territorial Kansas, the Underground Railroad, and African
American migration.
David D. Schafer served as a park ranger for the
National Park Service for over three decades at historic sites in Kansas,
Hawaii, Missouri, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, and Texas. He is now an independent
historian.
ISBN 978-0806192901, University of Oklahoma Press, ©
2023, Hardcover, 406 Pages, Maps, Photographs, Illustrations, End
Notes, Bibliography & Index. $44.10. To Purchase the book
click HERE.
