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.
