Adam Goodheart, author of 1861: The Civil War Awakening, talked about the activities of slaves seeking their own freedom in the Civil War and the role of General Benjamin Butler. He also previewed the events of 1862. Mr. Goodheart was interviewed at a bust of General Benjamin Butler in a Civil War exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery.

This was part of a series of interviews produced as short bridging segments for a January 2, 2012, Civil War marathon on American History TV.