Deeds of a Colored Soldier During the Rebellion, Volume 1: From the Beginning to Chickamauga

Deeds of a Colored Soldier during the Rebellion, Volume 1: From the Beginning to Chickamauga is a novel of the American Civil War, tracing the story of Jedediah Worth, a teenaged slave who becomes a Union soldier, fighting for the freedom of his people.

Although he realizes that the conflict started over slavery, Jedediah regards the South as home. When his master's sons join the Confederate army, he accompanies them as a servant. To prove himself, Jedediah runs ammunition and even rescues a wounded Confederate, until he realizes his valor should serve emancipation.

He escapes, meeting up with Samson, an enslaved African, who becomes his life-long friend. They join a colored regiment, and participate in the first battle fought by colored troops, at Island Mound.

Jedediah becomes a non-commissioned officer, leading his men in brutal combat at Milliken's Bend, where he becomes the first colored soldier to be awarded the Medal of Honor.

"Deeds of a Colored Soldier During the Rebellion is one of the best Civil War novels ever. F. W. Abel captures the rhythm of battle as scenes crack like a shot from Jed Worth's Lemat repeater carbine. The strategy and the tactics of the war are masterfully drawn, without overshadowing the human drama of an escaped slave's coming of age and the struggle of soldiers and civilians, both Northern and Southern."
~ S.W. O'Connell, author of The Patriot Spy

"In this engaging, well-researched, and emotional historical fiction novel, F. W. Abel relates the story of Jedediah Worth, a colored teen during the Civil War who escapes slavery and joins up with the U.S. Army. Through the eyes of this fictionalized character, the reader is drawn into the harsh reality of war to see firsthand the cost of freedom."
~ Christine Amsden, award-winning author of the Cassie Scot series