The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 85, November, 1864 A Magazine of Literature, Art, and Politics

"The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 85, November, 1864" by Various is a magazine that provides a window into the past through its articles, essays, and stories reflecting the culture, art, and politics of the 1860s, especially in relation to the Civil War. One notable piece, "Leaves from an Officer's Journal," tells the story of an officer's time with the First South Carolina regiment, which consisted of formerly enslaved people during the Civil War, sharing his initial impressions and encounters with these soldiers, detailing their training, their eagerness to fight, and the strong bonds they formed. It shows obstacles of prejudice, while also emphasizing the men’s strong desire and determination to prove themselves as capable soldiers, influencing the important conversations about race and empowerment during a time of great conflict.