As it turns out, I had a relative that was a Union recruiter of Colored Troops. I really like this side of the story. I'm getting ready to read Barbara Tomblin's Bluejackets and Contrabands: African American Sailors in the Union Navy and Steven Ramold's Slaves, Sailors, Citizens: African Americans in the Union Navy. Has anyone read either of these? Thoughts on the books? Is there a better volume for the topic?