Freedom, A Shared Sacrifice! puts the spotlight on the lives of African American soldiers from New York State during the Civil War. A combination of genealogical research with traditional study of regimental and military history results in a unique book about soldiers of the Civil War. Beginning with the men who traveled from New York in the spring of 1863 to enlist in the 54th Massachusetts and including the enlistments into regiments in Rhode Island and Connecticut, the United States Colored Troops and United States Navy, the book documents the stories of the soldiers who took part in the epic battle to save the Union and end slavery.