This is the only book to date to examine the history of black education in Virginia during the Civil War era. Horst describes in detail the plight of blacks who struggled for literacy as they fled the farms and plantations of Virginia. He also describes the role of the northern missionaries who travelled south to educate former slaves.

This is the only book to date to examine the history of black education in Virginia during the Civil War era. Horst describes in detail the plight of blacks who struggled for literacy as they fled the farms and plantations of Virginia. He also describes the role of the northern missionaries who travelled south to educate former slaves.