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Civil War's 54th Massachusetts Regiment

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First Unit to Enlist Black Soldiers

Of the many African-American regiments that served the Union Army during the American Civil War, the 54th Massachusetts regiment may be the most famous. The regiment was the first in the Union Army to enlist black soldiers. It's also the unit depicted in the movie Glory. The 54th Massachusetts also gained fame as the regiment that stormed Fort Wagner. We hope you learn more about this chapter of American history. 

Storming Fort Wagner At left, the Storming of Fort Wagner. (Click image to enlarge or purchase.)

Quick Fact #1: Soldiers Honored for Gallantry 

Four soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry received the Gilmore medal for gallantry in the storming of Fort Wagner. One of the recipients was Sgt. William H. Carney who, despite multiple wounds, kept the flag flying during two advances.

Sources: Fort Ward Museum and From Slavery to Freedom (3rd edition) by Dr. John Hope Franklin

Books and Movies about the 54th 

These books and movies about the 54th Massachusetts Regiment are from Amazon.
Civil War Journal: The 54th Massachusetts

Civil War Journal: The 54th Massachusetts

Amazon Price: (as of 10/16/2008)

A Brave Black Regiment

A Brave Black Regiment

by Captain Luis F. Emilio

Amazon Price: $17.05 (as of 10/16/2008)

Where Death and Glory Meet: Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Infantry

Where Death and Glory Meet: Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Infantry

by Russell Duncan

Amazon Price: $15.25 (as of 10/16/2008)

American Experience: The Massachusetts 54th Colored Infantry

American Experience: The Massachusetts 54th Colored Infantry

Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 10/16/2008)

Undying Glory: The Story of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment (Scholastic Biography)

Undying Glory: The Story of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment (Scholastic Biography)

by Clinton Cox

Amazon Price: (as of 10/16/2008)

Quick Fact #2: Regiment refused Discriminatory Pay 

When African-Americans were admitted to the Union Army, black soldiers were not offered the same pay rates as whites. For example, the Enlistment Act of July 17, 1862 decreed that white privates were to be paid $13 a month with a $3.50 clothing allowance while black soldiers of the same rank were to receive $7 a month and a $3 clothing allowance. The 54th Massachusetts regiment refused their wages for a year rather than accept discriminatory pay. In 1864, the War Department began to pay African-American soldiers the same as whites.


Source: From Slavery to Freedom (3rd edition) by Dr. John Hope Franklin

African-American Civil War Memorabilia 

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Quick Fact #3: Sons of Frederick Douglass Served with the 54th 

During the American Civil War, two sons of Frederick Douglass, Charles and Lewis, fought in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment.
source: americaslibrary.gov

Quick Fact #4: Recruiting the 54th 

Not all of the regiment's soldiers called Massachusetts home. Due to the small size of Boston's African-American community, soldiers also were recruited from states other than Massachusetts and Canada to fill the unit.

source: nga.gov

Charleston South Carolina 

The storming of Fort Wagner occurred on Morris Island South Carolina, which was at the southern approach of Charleston's harbor.
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poddys

I would love to see more detail on the 54th. I have been interested in the Civil War for many years, and the film Glory is one of my favorites.

Posted February 08, 2008

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