The narrative jumps forward to the late 19th century. Newton Knight continues to live in a common-law marriage with a former slave named Rachel (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), with whom he had a relationship during the war. This interracial relationship is met with intense hostility and legal challenges.
The war eventually ends, but the victory is bittersweet. While slavery is technically abolished, the social order of the South resists change. The film shifts tone to explore the harsh realities of the Reconstruction era.
Based on historical accounts and the 2016 film, here is the story of Newton Knight Free State of Jones 1. Disillusionment & Desertion