COMBEE by Edda Fields-Black. 

Summary of Combee by Edda L. Fields-Black

Combee: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom During the Civil War by Edda L. Fields-Black is a sweeping, meticulously researched account of one of the most dramatic and transformative episodes in American history—the Combahee River Raid of June 1863. Rather than focusing narrowly on Harriet Tubman or the raid itself, the book situates the event within a much larger narrative of enslavement, resistance, and the struggle for Black freedom in the South Carolina Lowcountry123.

Fields-Black’s work is divided into four parts, tracing the lives of enslaved African Americans before, during, and after emancipation, with particular attention to the rice plantations along the Combahee River. The author, herself a descendant of a participant in the raid, draws on a vast array of primary sources—including pension files, planter records, and contemporary accounts—to reconstruct the world of the enslaved, their families, and the communities they formed143. These sources allow her to name individuals who have long been anonymous in the historical record, giving faces and voices to those who lived and labored in bondage.

The heart of the book is the Combahee River Raid, which took place on the night of June 1 and into the morning of June 2, 1863. Union forces, including the 2nd South Carolina Volunteers—one of the earliest all-Black regiments—and guided by Harriet Tubman and her network of spies, steamed up the river and attacked seven major rice plantations245. Tubman, who had been hired by the Union Army and was living in Beaufort, South Carolina, played a crucial role as a guide and leader, coaxing enslaved people out of their cabins and onto the ships. The raid resulted in the liberation of more than 700 enslaved people, making it one of the most successful military operations of its kind and, as Fields-Black argues, the largest slave rebellion in U.S. history245.

The book does not end with the raid. Fields-Black follows the lives of the freedom seekers after emancipation, exploring how they built new lives and communities in the coastal Gullah Geechee Corridor. She emphasizes the lasting impact of the raid on the formation of these communities and the ongoing struggle for Black freedom and self-determination123.

Strengths of the Book

• Deep Research and New Insights: Fields-Black’s use of previously unexamined documents—such as Civil War pension files, bills of sale, wills, and estate papers—allows her to reconstruct the lives of the enslaved with unprecedented detail and specificity143. This approach not only honors the individuals involved but also challenges the anonymity and erasure that have long characterized histories of slavery.

• Personal Connection: As a descendant of a participant in the raid, Fields-Black brings a unique personal perspective to the narrative, which adds emotional resonance and authenticity to the story643.

• Broad Scope: The book transcends the typical focus on military strategy or individual biography, offering a panoramic view of the social, economic, and cultural forces at play in the Lowcountry before, during, and after the Civil War123.

• Narrative Power: Fields-Black’s storytelling is vivid and compelling, making complex historical material accessible and engaging for a general audience35.

Weaknesses of the Book

• Density and Detail: While the depth of research is a strength, it can also make the book dense and challenging for readers who are not already familiar with the period or the region. Some may find the level of detail overwhelming, especially in the sections that reconstruct family lineages and community networks13.

• Limited Focus on Tubman: Although Tubman is a central figure, the book is not a biography. Readers seeking a traditional biography of Tubman may be disappointed by the broader focus on the community and the raid itself13.

• Complex Structure: The book’s structure, with its four-part division and multiple narrative threads, can be difficult to follow at times, particularly for readers who prefer a more linear or streamlined narrative1.

Why the Book Is Important

Combee is important for several reasons. First, it offers the most comprehensive account to date of the Combahee River Raid, an event that has been underappreciated in mainstream histories of the Civil War and Black freedom243. Second, by centering the experiences of the enslaved and newly freed, the book challenges traditional narratives that focus on military leaders or political elites. Third, Fields-Black’s research methodology—using pension files and other sources to reconstruct individual lives—sets a new standard for the study of slavery and emancipation, demonstrating that it is possible to recover the voices and stories of those who have been historically marginalized143.

The book’s significance is further underscored by its recognition as a Pulitzer Prize winner for History, affirming its contribution to our understanding of American history and the ongoing legacy of slavery and resistance4. By connecting the past to the present, Combee not only honors the memory of those who fought for freedom but also provides a model for how history can be written with empathy, rigor, and a commitment to justice.

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