The slice of history called the “Houston Insurrection,” as portrayed by James McEachin, will be one that I’ll never forget. Each of you owe it to yourself and your families to read this new dramatic, perhaps fictional, but entirely believable novel.

McEachin takes us back to the time of World War I, beginning in 1917, and takes the readers into the midst of the 24th U.S. Infantry Regiment (Colored) and, in particular, K (King) Company. For many of us, we have no idea of the “actuality” of segregation as it was experienced early in our Country’s history. Within the confines of the Army structure, where all officers were white, and that allowed them to “act out” their emotions, Farewell to the Mockingbirds presents the story of those referred to at that time as “colored.” It presents their reactions, their fears, and their anger at the treatment by those in authority. For me, one of the interesting points of the book was that the entire battalion, and indeed Black men from all over the United States, wanted to participate in the War...they wanted to go overseas and help defend their country. The Secretary of War knew they needed men of all colors and tried to move toward their full use; the “war,” however, was also at home, as James McEachin tells the story...and the battle was ongoing!

McClellan is the main character...the First Sergeant who led King Company. Clearly a learned man, his love for the Army and the United States is well demonstrated. Only in the midst of the internal “war” within the Army does he come to make decisions contrary to those given by the commanding officers. And even then you realize that race is not the issue--saving the lives of his men is his primary objective. His commanding officer is white, a Quaker, and a man who clearly does not believe in war--neither the official one nor the one within the Army. Perhaps a stronger officer would have controlled and prevented what happened, but somehow I doubt it. McClellan was a born leader and he had trained King Company to be soldiers. Instead, they were ordered to a construction post where their only jobs would be to support the white soldiers in their work. Yes, I’m glossing over the specific activities and happenings prior to the Insurrection. It is impossible to take certain acts and dwell on any one of them; you must visit Houston and become one of the Mockingbirds; only then can you weigh and evaluate what happened there.

Oh, and when you’re in Houston, you’ll meet Jody--a twelve-year-old boy/man who became a soldier in the King Company and later was one of the 13 men hung. Make sure you pay close attention to Jody from his first being “drafted” and finding his way alone to join the Army...you’ll want to know him well by the time he stands on the gallows.

The story line, then, is that some part of a battalion of “colored” soldiers rose up against the civilians, the police, and other soldiers, and were later either hung, placed in prison, or dishonorably discharged. This is a part of our history. In Farewell to the Mockingbirds, James McEachin will take you there in an unforgettable, well-researched, and totally plausible narrative of that time.

At first, when I finished, I felt like I was siding for the “underdog,” that I would have been the “first female defender,” perhaps, that attempted to bring some right into the “mock” trial of the mockingbirds. Then I realized that, no, I was merely expecting that fellow Americans be treated fairly and equally, for indeed the war was there in the United States, no matter what was happening overseas. And I was glad James McEachin had written this book to ensure we understand who really were, and are, the mockingbirds.

This novel commands your attention from beginning to end--buy a copy. You will want to read it again and share it with others!