Edward A. Wild and the African Brigade in the Civil War

Edward Wild, the Union general who headed the all-black African Brigade in the Civil War, was one of the most controversial figures of the 19th century. The man was neither understood nor appreciated by military or civilian, black or white, Northerner or Southerner. Wild was placed in charge of the United States Colored Troops and told to free slaves and gain recruits. He freed hundreds, perhaps thousands, of slaves and settled them safely on Roanoke Island. He also did some inexplicable things, including taking women as hostages and ordering a great deal of property destruction.