"Civil War Soldiers: Discovering the Men of the 25th United States Colored Troops" is a book about 17 men whose photos are in a tiny photo album from the Civil War. The album was the cherished possession of the company Captain, William Prickitt. The men in the photos were identified by a hand-written name on the mat around each photo. The reason only 17 men of a much larger company were photographed remains a mystery. In addition to creating color portraits, the author carried out careful genealogical research and wrote a short biography of each man, including fascinating details about his life before and after the war. The portraits and the original photos are reproduced in this full color volume. 1863 was the first time African-American men were allowed to serve in the U. S. Military. "Civil War Soldiers: Discovering the Men of the 25th United States Colored Troops" highlights 17 men who answered the call to serve their country at that pivotal moment. The photo album was donated, in 2014, to the National Museum of African American History and Culture at the Smithsonian.