### Edda Fields-Black: A Scholar Reimagining History
Edda Fields-Black has recently captured national attention with her award-winning book, “Combee: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid and Black Freedom during the Civil War.” This work, which earned her the prestigious 2025 Pulitzer Prize for History, delves into a lesser-known chapter of American history, revealing the pivotal role of Harriet Tubman during the Combahee River Raid and its significant impact on the fight for Black freedom. Remarkably, Fields-Black is also a descendant of Hector Fields, a participant in the raid, connecting her personal heritage with her scholarly pursuits.
### Upcoming Engagement at the American Civil War Center
On October 15, Fields-Black will further engage audiences at the American Civil War Center’s Annual Lincoln Lecture, following her recognition with the 2025 Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize. The event will include a reception and an interactive question-and-answer segment moderated by historian Dr. Ed Ayers, enriching the experience for those interested in the complexities of Civil War history and its ongoing implications.
### The Roots of Her Research
Fields-Black has long focused her academic expertise on the transnational history of West African rice, recognizing its significance in American agriculture. As one of the two main regions where rice was domesticated, West Africa’s agricultural innovations provided the foundation for rice cultivation in the southern United States. By tracing the transfer of rice seeds and agricultural techniques through the trans-Atlantic slave trade, she has unearthed compelling narratives tied to the enslaved laborers who worked on rice plantations.
### Connection to the Combahee River Raid
Her exploration of rice and its historical context led her to examine the experiences of enslaved individuals during the Combahee River Raid. Partnering with composer John Wineglass, Fields-Black contributed the libretto for the contemporary symphony “Unburied, Unmourned, Unmarked: Requiem for Rice,” weaving together musical and historical narratives. Initially, her focus on the raid was part of a broader project on Gullah Geechee history, but new primary sources she discovered motivated her to devote an entire book to the subject.
### Goals and Achievements of the Combahee River Raid
The Combahee River Raid was not merely a military action; its objectives were clearly articulated by Colonel Montgomery. The raid aimed to destroy Confederate resources and liberate enslaved individuals, achieving all these goals in a span of just six hours. Fields-Black emphasizes that it was a unique operation that underscored the strategic importance of freedom seekers in the Civil War.
### Extensive Research Undertaken
The research process for “Combee” was extensive and multifaceted. Fields-Black’s investigation included primary source material at the International African American Center for Family History and direct engagement with the land through participant observation in the rice fields and the surrounding areas of the Combahee River. She aspired to immerse readers in the experience of those who worked the rice fields, ensuring the narrative of freedom seekers was as vivid as possible.
### Unveiling Harriet Tubman’s Legacy
While Harriet Tubman is famously known for her leadership in the Underground Railroad, Fields-Black’s research unveils a largely overlooked aspect of her life during the Civil War. Many existing biographical accounts skim over Tubman’s military and intelligence roles, missing the complexities of her contributions. “The Civil War was the least known chapter of her life,” Fields-Black notes, highlighting how official military records often overlooked her service.
### Amplifying Silenced Voices
Fields-Black aimed for her book to serve as a platform for the voices of the many freedom seekers, most of whom were illiterate and unable to document their stories. In this way, she sheds light on the narratives of Tubman, her network of spies, and the soldiers who fought alongside her during the raid. This endeavor addresses a significant historical silence, enriching the narrative with diverse perspectives often overshadowed by mainstream accounts.
### Tubman as a Transformational Figure
Through “Combee,” Fields-Black redefines Tubman not only as an iconic conductor of the Underground Railroad but as a military leader and a transformational figure in the movement from slavery to freedom. Surveillance, planning, and rescue were all part of Tubman’s operations, underscoring her critical role in a broader social movement for liberty and justice. Fields-Black asserts, “Tubman was both an exemplar and progenitor of a broader social movement engendered by Black people for freedom, liberty, and revolution.”
### Event Details
The anticipation for Fields-Black’s lecture on October 15 continues to build. Guests can expect an enlightening evening that not only honors the legacy of the past but also inspires a deeper understanding of American history’s complexities. Tickets for the event include a signed copy of her impactful book, allowing attendees to take home a piece of this vital narrative.