On July 4, 1861, 85 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed and about three months after the Civil War began, the merchant ship S.J. Waring left New York on its way to South America. Aboard the ship were a quantity of goods, a modest crew and a cook named William Tillman. Depending on your perspective at the time, Tillman was a free black man from the north, or property.
As the Waring worked its way south along the eastern seaboard, among the perils it faced was risk of capture by Confederate pirate ships. That risk concerned the crew of the Waring generally but was a more troubling prospect for Tillman, who would, if captured, be seized and sold in the manner of all chattel.
Three days later, on July 7, the Waring was spotted by the Jefferson Davis, a Confederate pirate ship. The Waring was unarmed, but the Jefferson Davis was outfitted with swivel guns, and soon the Waring was captured and its goods claimed. Some portion of the Waring's possessions, and five members of its crew, including the captain and first mate, were transferred to the pirate ship. Three men and two passengers remained on board the Waring, Tillman among them. A small crew from the Jefferson Davis was installed on the Waring to lead it to South Carolina, where its assets, including Tillman, would be claimed by the state and liquidated to fund the Confederate war effort.
"The Rest I Will Kill: William Tillman and the Unforgettable Story of How a Free Black Man Refused to Become a Slave" is a carefully researched and expertly crafted book. It tells the true story of how Tillman fought for his freedom, took hold of the Waring and returned it to a hero's welcome in New York. The title (problematic if you like to read in public spaces) comes from a quote from Tillman, who considered confining the men from the Jefferson Davis but concluded "[t]hey were too many for that. There were five of them and only three of us. After this [he] said, well, I will get all I can back alive, and the rest I will kill."
Brian McGinty is in full stride here. What results is an outstanding book powered by a compelling story as rendered by a talented author. "The Rest I Will Kill" should enchant a wide audience: history buffs, Civil War enthusiasts, pirate junkies, readers who love action and adventure, and those interested in the seemingly unending quest for liberty. It's difficult to imagine the person who can't find something to admire in these pages.
Michael Kleber-Diggs is a poet and essayist. He lives in St. Paul.
The Rest I Will Kill
By: Brian McGinty.
Publisher: W.W. Norton, 240 pages, $26.95.