The Athens Historical Society Presents: Putting on Blue: Confederates from the Athens, Georgia Area Who Became Galvanized Yankees with Author Al Hester

Sunday, January 17

3:00 p.m.

Appleton Auditorium, Athens, Ga.

Putting on Blue is, in author Al Hester’s words, “the story of 52 Confederate soldiers who were captured and placed in horrific Northern prisons with little hope of quick release to return home. The Lincoln administration offered them freedom from prison if they would swear their allegiance to the Union and enlist in special regiments to serve in the West. . . . The newly enlisted soldiers were called ‘Galvanized Yankees.’” The book has fascinating stories of Yankee prisons, Indian wars, and anecdotes about the area’s “Galvanized Yankees,” several of which Mr. Hester will share in his program.

The book includes a gallery of color and black-and-white 19th century photographs and artwork from a variety of sources, including family descendants.

Published in October 2015, Putting on Blue is co-produced by the Athens Historical Society and The Green Berry Press, and will be available for sale following the program. The book is also available at Amazon.com

This event is co-sponsored by the Athens Historical Society and the Athens-Clarke County Library Heritage Room.