Evening Lecture: First Footsteps of Freedom
Schedule
Thu Feb 26 2026 at 07:00 pm to 08:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
4 E Church St, Cartersville, GA, United States, Georgia 30120 | Cartersville, GA
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The Bartow History Museum will host historian Brad Quinlin for a powerful presentation examining the lives and service of formerly enslaved men who became U.S. soldiers during the Civil War.In 1864, these newly freed men were assigned as stretcher bearers during the Atlanta Campaign, moving across the battlefields of Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Vinings Station, and Atlanta. Under fire, they risked their lives to save wounded Union soldiers, playing a critical yet often overlooked role in the war effort.
During the program, Quinlin will share the stories of William Tucker, Matthew Moore, George Wilson, Cleve Berq, and others, tracing their journeys from slavery to freedom to military service. Drawing from personal accounts and historical documentation, the presentation highlights the courage, resilience, and humanity of these men during and after the war.
Quinlin’s work is grounded in more than 30 years of research and over 500,000 documents collected from the National Archives in Washington, D.C., bringing depth and clarity to a chapter of Civil War history that deserves wider recognition.
About the Speaker
Brad Quinlin is a lifelong student of American history with a focus on the Civil War. He has worked on 32 film and television productions, including Glory, Gettysburg, Andersonville, and The Perfect Tribute, and appeared on Who Do You Think You Are? as a guide and research advisor. He was the lead researcher for the award-winning Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield film One Last Mountain and has contributed to National Geographic’s Diggers and The Untold Story of the Civil War.
A Master Volunteer with the National Park Service, Quinlin has logged more than 10,000 volunteer hours, with his research featured in exhibits at the Atlanta History Center and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. He has written or co-written 25 Civil War books, helped secure Medals of Honor for Andrews Raid participants approved in 2024, and leads battlefield tours for visitors from around the world.
Admission
Free for museum members
$9 for non-members
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Where is it happening?
4 E Church St, Cartersville, GA, United States, Georgia 30120Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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