Cudjo's Cave

Classics of Civil War Fiction

by John Townsend Trowbridge, Dean Rehberger (Introduction)

Cudjo’s Cave chronicles the brutalities and fears faced by unionists, loyal to Abraham Lincoln and the federal cause, living in secessionist states politically aligned with the Confederacy. Set in 1861 in a fictionalized rural village in east Tennessee, the story revolves around four main characters who find themselves trapped together with other unionists in “Cudjo’s Cave.”

Penn Hapgood is a Quaker schoolmaster who openly voices his antislavery sentiments and support for the Union but refuses to fight even when faced with the probability of being shot for his stance. Virginia Villars, a clergyman’s daughter who loves Hapgood, is hotly pursued by the sinister planter and slave master Augustus Blythewood. Pomp, an intelligent man trained as a doctor, is a runaway slave, and Cudjo, another runaway who has been dehumanized by slavery’s violence, still risks all to save others. John Townsend Trowbridge’s fine literary skill and storytelling ability lift the Victorian plot. He artfully maps out many of the cultural and political tensions regarding the issues of slavery and secession, giving the reader access to the popular sentiments of the period. More important, he offers a rare 19th-century depiction of a character of full African descent as a strong, intelligent leader. Released to popular acclaim in the summer of 1863, this novel was designed to awaken patriotism in northern citizens wearied by the losses of conflict and to refocus attention on the moral purposes of the war—emancipation of the slaves. Like Uncle Tom’s Cabin, this stimulating story contributed vital power to the success of the Union war effort.

Genres: Historical

552 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1864

About the author

John Townsend Trowbridge was a novelist and poet who often published under the under pseudonym Paul Creyton. His papers are located at the Houghton Library at Harvard University.

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book has been waiting over 50 years for me to read it. I originally purchased it because of it beautiful cover back in 1970 at a book sale at the State Department in D.C. It was wonderful, like an Uncle Toms Cabin kind of message to the reader. Glad I lived long enought to get to read it. Have about 800 more waiting.

[Christy Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read this book after I saw the link to some local history in my area and where the author had gotten the idea of the story. It is a good book and I am sure was popular in its day.
It is full of language and colloquialisms of the time, hard prejudice, and also tells a series of good tales.
A young Quaker teacher is tarred and feathered by a bunch of Confederate loyalists. He is, of course in a bad way but escapes to be rescued by the proprietors of Cudjo's Cave. The cave is a retreat and safe space for the abolitionists and Union-leaning folks who are either residing in the area and in fear or traveling and/or fear the ambush of the Confederates roaming the land. There are many adventures of those who befriend the Quaker gentlemen and the friends that surround him. Thoroughly enjoyed the book and the local history in East Tennessee that inspired. it.