History experts weigh in on African-American experience during Civil War at symposium

The struggles, sacrifices and successes of African Americans during one of the nation’s most turbulent times were at the forefront of conversation in Shamblin Theatre Saturday morning. In conjunction with Lipscomb’s remembrance of the Battle of Nashville’s 150th anniversary, the Department of History, Politics & Philosophy hosted a Civil War symposium that detailed various aspects of African-American life during the war. “The African-American Experience in the Civil War Era” brought three noted historians to share their takes on three different-yet-synergetic topics. James M. McPherson, a Pulitzer-winning author and historian, John F. Baker, a genealogy expert and Joseph Glatthaar, an author and historian, all spoke about different sections of what African Americans endured during that time. Tim Johnson, a professor in the department and the driving force in Lipscomb’s reflection of the battle’s sesquicentennial, said when planning the event, this particular topic came to mind. “We wanted to focus on the African-American experience,” Johnson said. “We wanted to help tell the Nashville community about a story that is often overlooked. That seemed an appropriate theme, given the number of African-American Union soldiers who fought in Nashville in December 1864.” In his talk titled “The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation: Stories of My Family’s Journey to Freedom,” Baker shed light on the story behind the plantation where his ancestors worked. Baker said he conducted genealogical and historical research on the local plantation called Wessyngton, located in Robertson County. “My research at Wessyngton started sort of accidentally,” Baker said. “When I was in the seventh grade, we used a social studies textbook called ‘Your Tennessee,’ and I came across this photograph entitled ‘Black...