The Union's Advantage 

     You may not find this in Civil War history books. 

     After the North's pitiful first year, the tide began to turn. Was it better rifles? Cannons? Strategy? 

Some background: The Boston tea party in 1773 made a difference that mattered in the 1860's when the navy blockaded Southern ports, but in so doing, cut off their own critical supply. Supply of what?

     Meanwhile, the new Republic of Liberia, Africa was a safe place for blacks, thousands of whom were sent there, or otherwise escaped from slavery in the American South. Stephen Benson was age 6 when his (free) American parents moved from Maryland to Liberia. As an adult, he became one of the largest farmers in the country. 

     Themselves free of slavery, Liberians were rooting for the North to win the Civil War. There was no official recognition of Liberia...no trade treaties. 

     Benson hoped his "essential fuel" could benefit the Union's fight against slavery. He sent a message to America that he had planted some 500 thousand coffee trees. In August 1862, a ship carried 6,000 pounds of premium coffee to the northern states.  

     How does coffee win a war?

Tomorrow

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." - Matthew 6:14