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Portrayal of Private William Webb, Civil War Soldier of the 29th Connecticut Volunteers

(Cup banging) (Singing) SAID I’M FREE; PRAISE THE LORD, I’M FREE; I’M NO LONGER BOUND. THERE ARE NO MORE CHAINS HOLDING ME. MY SOUL IS RESTING, AND IT’S SUCH A BLESSING TO PRAISE THE LORD; HALLELUJAH, I’M FREE!

Kevin Johnson as William Webb, African-American Civil War soldier
Kevin Johnson of CSL portrays Private William Webb

Greetings to all of you; my name is Private William Riley Salisbury Webb. I’m of the 29th Connecticut Volunteers and I fought in the American Civil War. Now, that old song that you heard me come in on is part of what our fight was all about.

Cover of A Sketch of the 29th Regiment of Connecticut Colored Troops

-An opportunity and chance at freedom.

 I remember at the time of enlistment when Sergeant Alexander Newton said,  “I have enlisted to this conflict until the clinking of slave chains shall be heard no more.”

Listen, there is no more clanging; there are no more slave chains said: (Singing) I’m Free! Praise the Lord I’m Free!

Freedom! It sounds good and it sounds nice. Got to be free!

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