Soldiers of the Cross: The African American Journey from Slavery to the Promised Land

John A. White Jr. was a research engineer and Civil War re-enactor for over twenty years. His passion for research expanded beyond his engineering career to African American history and he founded the Gospel Army Black History Group. He used his technical research skills to develop a perspective of African American slave liberation that represents the perspective of contemporary African American’s, former slaves and abolitionist. In the words of a former slave, If you want Negro History, you will have to get it from somebody who wore the shoe. Primary historical sources such as the slave narratives, the works of William Wells Brown, periodicals, letters, memoirs and paintings are used to uncover lost history. White argues that American History that does not fully include the actions taken by African Americans to win their own freedom is incomplete and has an adverse effect on African American identity. The power of God and prayer were the only powers possessed by slaves. The Invisible Steal-away to Jesus Prayer Movement was illegal in the South with penalty of flogging but the movement inspired the abolitionists and ignited the Civil War. When the opportunity was available for liberated blacks to fight for freedom, Colored Troops had a significant impact on the Union victory. Black troops demonstrated a willingness and ability to capture deadly confederate fortifications which helped President Lincoln win reelection over an anti-emancipation opponent. People that are commonly viewed as victims are redefined by John White as victors.