Susie King Taylor was a slave who escaped soon after the outset of the Civil War. She became an Army nurse and traveled with an African American Battalion for the duration of the war. She also served in the Spanish-American War and later settled in Boston. You can read her book, Reminiscences of My Life in Camp with the 33d United States Colored Troops Late 1st S. C. Volunteers, by clicking the link. Truly amazing and inspiring personal history that too few are aware of!