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. Led by Colonel Robert Shaw, the 54th Massachusetts gained fame as the regiment that stormed Fort Wagner. We hope you learn more about this chapter of American history.

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

Quick Fact #1: Soldiers Honored for Gallantry
Books and Movies about the 54th
Quick Fact #2: Regiment refused Discriminatory Pay
African-American Civil War Memorabilia
Quick Fact #3: Sons of Frederick Douglass Served with the 54th
Another Lens about the 54th
Quick Fact #4: Recruiting the 54th
Charleston South Carolina
Learn More about African-American History
Talkback
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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 [VHS]

Amazon Price: (as of 12/17/2009)

A Brave Black Regiment

by: Captain Luis F. Emilio

Amazon Price: $16.20 (as of 12/17/2009)

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

by: Russell Duncan

Amazon Price: $17.05 (as of 12/17/2009)

American Experience: The Massachusetts 54th Colored Infantry

Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 12/17/2009)

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

by: Clinton Cox

Amazon Price: (as of 12/17/2009)

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

Another Lens about the 54th

Civil War Medal of Honor Winner William H Carney

It could hardly have been thought in 1840's America that this young slave would one day, only 23 years after his birth, be bearing arms in the United States Military trying to free the brothers of his race, and committing acts of gallantry that would...

Quick Fact #4: Recruiting the 54th

Not all of the regiment's soldiers were from Massachusetts. 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.

Learn More about African-American History

For a comprehensive look at the role of Black Americans in U.S. History, read From Slavery to Freedom.

From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans

by: John Hope Franklin, Alfred A. Moss Jr.

Amazon Price: $47.25 (as of 12/17/2009)

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Sparkyholden Sparkyholden May 4, 2009 @ 9:01 pm

I am going to add you to my blog roll. I hope you can do the same with mine as it relates directly to the 54th Regiment. It is http://www.squidoo.com/civilwarmedalofhonorafricanamerican

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MAJArch MAJArch Feb 19, 2009 @ 2:10 pm

Hello,

I have added you to my "Gettyburg Battlefield Images" lensroll. I hope you can visit mine and do the same.

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Donaldson_Grisham Donaldson_Grisham Oct 24, 2008 @ 10:48 am

This is a very well done lens. You provide a great collection of information and resources here. We'd love for you to stop by our lens and say hello when you get a chance.

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poddys poddys Feb 8, 2008 @ 8:12 am

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.

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