The New York Times Opinionator Disunion series published my piece this morning “Been Workin’ on the Railroad.” This piece tells the story of Samuel Ballton, an enslaved railroad worker, who leaves slavery and joins the Union Army in the spring of 1862 during McClellan’s Virginia campaign.
For more on black railroad workers in the Civil War go to the Railroads and the Making of Modern America web site:
1. Timeline and Map of African American railroad workers incidents in the Civil War
2. The resources site for “The Iron Way: Railroads, the Civil War, and the Making of Modern America”
3. Letters, maps, documents, and images about slavery and Southern railroad development.
Tom Moore says:
Thanks so much for your inspiring story about Samuel Ballton. I could see a great motion picture about this man.
February 10, 2012 — 8:36 am
wthomas says:
Yes, the fact that he returned to Westmoreland County and he and his wife recrossed the lines is inspirational and, well, romantic!
February 10, 2012 — 10:36 am
Aydincik says:
Thanks so much for your inspiring story about Samuel Ballton. I could see a great motion picture about this man.
March 21, 2012 — 7:00 pm
Romina | Pollo al Horno says:
Thanks so much for your story Been Workin’ on the Railroad
March 28, 2012 — 9:26 am
Elaine D. McClammy nee Ballton says:
Thank you so very much. This man was my forefather. I feel quite
proud to have his blood in my veins. I hope he knows my sons
are both graduates of Yale University and are carrying on his good work.
August 23, 2012 — 4:04 pm