Relieved 25 february 1953 from assignment to the 71st infantry division. He joined the second massachusetts infantry as first lieutenant. Stanton, who gave john andrew the authority to create the regiment. The 54th regiment massachusetts infantry was a volunteer union regiment organized in the american civil war. In early 1863, the 54th massachusetts infantry, an allblack regiment of the union army, was activated. Its members became known for their bravery and fierce fighting against confederate forces. The 54th massachusetts volunteer infantry regiment, company b, washington, dc, is a 501c3, nonprofit organization of volunteers dedicated to preserving the history of the 54th massachusetts and the black soldier in the civil war. Colonel shaw was colonel of the 54th mass and he is mentioned in the letter. The fiftyfourth massachusetts was organized in march 1863 at camp meigs, readville, massachusetts by colonel robert gould shaw, twentysix year old member of a prominent boston abolitionist family.
On july 18, 1863 the 54th massachusetts attacked fort wagner. The regiment was one of the first official africanamerican units in the united states during the civil war. The 54th massachusetts infantry timeline facts leader history. Brigade, division, corps, and army assignments for 54th massachusetts infantry regiment. Robert gould shaw, union army officer who commanded a prominent regiment of african american troops during the american civil war, the 54th massachusetts. After ceremonies at the state house, they marched to battery wharf and boarded. They ultimately comprised ten percent of union army and navy the fiftyfourths successful campaign for equal pay also signaled a move. The unit was the second africanamerican regiment, following the 1st kansas colored volunteer infantry regiment organized in the northern states during the civil war. History of the fiftyfourth regiment of massachusetts. May 05, 2008 casualty list of the 54th massachusetts infantry regiment from the assault on fort wagner, south carolina, july 1618, 1863 shown here is one of the 54th s casualty lists with the names of 116 enlisted men who died at fort wagner. The 54th massachusetts volunteer infantry regiment 186365 a video essay by students in robert olwells us history course at ut austin. On july 16, 1863, the 54th massachusetts saw its first. Jan 15, 2014 please remember this thread is about the uniform of the 54th massachusetts and other usct units. Born into a prominent boston abolitionist family, he accepted command of the first allblack regiment the 54th massachusetts in the northeast.
The fiftyfourth massachusetts infantry was the first northern black volunteer regiment enlisted to fight in the civil war its accomplished combat record led to the general recruitment of africanamericans as soldiers. The most famous african american regiment of the civil war was the massachusetts 54th, renowned for its assault on fort wagner. Robert gould shaw and the 54th massachusetts regiment memorial robert gould shaw and the 54th massachusetts regiment memorial sits in front of the state house on beacon st. The 54th regiment massachusetts volunteer infantry, nicknamed the swamp angels, was an infantry regiment that saw extensive service in the union army during the american civil war. Students will put themselves in the shoes of the men of the massachusetts 54th regiment as they read, write, pose, and then create a comic strip about these american heroes. Fort wagner and the 54th massachusetts volunteer infantry. He was the first black musician to enlist during the civil war, and is depicted as the drummer leading the column of troops on the memorial. Originally published as a brave black regiment, this account of the 54th massachusetts volunteer infantry tells the story of one of the first allblack regiments to fight for the union in the civil war. Men in the 54th were predominantly black, though most officers were white.
April 17 virginia secedes from the union, followed within 5 weeks by arkansas, tennessee, and north carolina, thus forming. The 54th regiment massachusetts volunteer infantry was an infantry regiment that saw extensive service in the union army during the american civil war. He died fighting alongside the regiment while assaulting fort wagner, south carolina, in 1863. The 54th regiment became famous for its fighting prowess and for the great courage of its members. The regiment was mustered into service in early 1863 and first saw action that summer in south carolina. The history and legacy of the 54th massachusetts volunteer infantry. Obviously, his uniform is different than as depicted in the movie glory. The 54th massachusetts regiment was an all black fighting unit for the union army during the civil war all black fighting unit the 54th massachusetts regiment made up of black soldiers, but led by a white officer named colonel robert shaw. On this day in 1863, the 54th massachusetts volunteer infantry, the first black regiment from the north, paraded in full dress uniform on boston common. Leading the direct assault under heavy fire, the 54th suffered enormous casualties. The focus of this lesson is the robert gould shaw and the massachusetts 54th regiment memorial by augustus saintgaudens. The remaining recruits became the nucleus of the fiftyfifth massachusetts infantry regiment. Attached to 1st brigade, 1st division, 9th army corps, army of the potomac, to.
Hartwell, they unsuccessfully attacked entrenched confederate militia at the november 1864 battle of honey hill. Robert gould shaw was born to francis gould and sarah sturgis shaw. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The 54 th massachusetts infantry was a military unit organized by john a. The weapon is to be used against japan between now and august 10th. Organized at worcester and reedville and mustered in april 6, 1864. The 54th massachusetts volunteer regiment was reactivated on november 21, 2008 to serve as the massachusetts national guard ceremonial unit to render military honors at funerals and state functions. Authorized by the emancipation proclamation, the regiment consisted of african.
The 54th massachusetts volunteer infantry regiment is best known for its service leading the failed union assault on battery wagner. These are members of the 54th regiment of massachusetts who showed extreme courage despite the odds and what people said about them. Andrew of massachusetts called for volunteers to form two black regiments, the 54th and 55th massachusetts infantry. He was the first black musician to enlist during the civil war, and is depicted as the drummer lead. Uniform of the 54th massachusetts infantry colored. The regiment was formed early in 1863, trained near boston, and ultimately saw action in south carolina later that year. All 3 brothers survived the war and returned home to hinsonville, chester county, pennsylvania. Mass volunteer militia cavalry boston jumpstart biz. The history and legacy of the 54th massachusetts volunteer infantry regiment charles river editors on.
During the battle of fort wagner sergeant carney saw the flag bearer drop and caught the flag. By 14 may 1863, the regiment was comprised of enlisted men, and a full complement of white officers. Fiftyfourth massachusetts infantrys war to end slavery shepard, ray anthony on. Attached to 1st brigade, 1st division, 9th army corps, army of the potomac, to september, 1864. The doomed assault on fort wagner won the 54th massachusetts a place in history, but did not win the battle for the north. The 54th fought a rearguard action covering the union retreat at the battle of olustee. To commemorate black history month, we celebrate the story of the 54th massachusetts infantry regiment, the first african american unit of the. The regiment was composed of african american enlisted men commanded by white officers and was authorized by the bureau of colored troops which was created by the united states war department on may 22, 1863. A timeline of significant civil war events with occasional links to related web content. My 3rd great grandfather william jay his brothers george and wesley jay all free men of color fought with the usct, 54th massachusetts regiment volunteer infantry, company b. But from original pictures ive seen, i believe the 54th wore the 9button frock coat rather than the shorter length, four button sack coat with smaller size buttons. The 54 th massachusetts volunteer infantry was the first black infantry regiment organized during the civil war. This collection contains tintype, ambrotype, and albumen portraits of soldiers and officers of the 54th massachusetts volunteer infantry regiment, the first black regiment from the north during the civil war, as well as photos of the regiments military camps, battles, and flags. Choose from 11 different sets of the 54th massachusetts infantry flashcards on quizlet.
The flag is made of cotton muslin fabric and the wood frame is 10 x 12 in. The 54th massachusetts volunteer infantry regiment, company a marches on. Please note that the next clipping does not refer to the the 54th new york infantry but the 54th but more likely to the 54th regiment, massachusetts infantry colored. There are many other discussions on this board to accommodate that. Jan 15, 2014 my 3rd great grandfather william jay his brothers george and wesley jay all free men of color fought with the usct, 54th massachusetts regiment volunteer infantry, company b. The story is familiar to many, as the letters of the regiments commander, colonel robert gould shaw, were the screenwriters primary source for the. February 9 the confederate states of america is formed with jefferson davis as president. In a family of four sisters with robert being the only son. Many workers in the textile cities of lowell and lawrence were among the first to join a new infantry regiment, the sixth massachusetts volunteer militia, when it was formally organized on january 21, 1861. The massachusetts historical society offers, workshops and programs and primary. Andrew in 1863 and commanded by colonel robert gould shaw. Stimson, to use it so that military objectives and soldiers and sailors are the target and not women and children. Robert gould shaw october 10, 1837 july 18, 1863 was an american officer in the union army during the american civil war. Battle of olustee, fl lost 68 men, lowest of 3 black regiments present.
Young scholars research the massachusetts 54th regiment. With respect, i dont want to see it taken over by another discussion on black confederates. Ap us history project by olivia hord and anna smith. Johnson enlisted at the age of 16 as a drummer boy in the 54th massachusetts infantry. About 180,000 african americans serve in the civil war on the union side. They ultimately comprised ten percent of union army and navy the fiftyfourths successful campaign for equal pay also signaled a move toward racial justice in the military. Their courageous assault on fort wagner played a key role in bringing about. The 54th massachusetts volunteer infantry regiment is best known for its service leading the failed union assault on battery wagner, a confederate earthwork fortification on morris island, on july 18, 1863. On this day in 1863, the 54th massachusetts volunteer infantry, the first black regiment from the north, paraded in full dress uniform on boston. To better understand this art young scholars use coins to see an example of a.
Known simply as the 54th, this regiment became famous after the heroic, but illfated, assault on fort wagner, south carolina. The 54th massachusetts volunteer infantry regiment was one of the first official black units in the u. The 54th united states colored infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the union army during the american civil war. Learn the 54th massachusetts infantry with free interactive flashcards. Study of the 54th massachusetts regiment, true facts about the black defenders of the civil war. Now or never fiftyfourth massachusetts infantrys war to. President abraham lincoln issued the preliminary emancipation proclamation, officially allowing black soldiers and sailors into union forces. The underside of each is stamped in small black letters r. Shaw avoided being wounded when a bullet hit his pocket watch. Assault on james island, sc battle of fort wagner, sc lost 292 out of 650 men and colonel robert gould shaw. With lineage dating back to the civil war, the 54th massachusetts volunteer regiment selected honor guard, preserves the history of the massachusetts. From the set of glory to the smithsonian collections national. The fiftyfourth massachusetts volunteer infantry regiment was the first military unit consisting of black soldiers to be raised in the north during the civil war.
African american history in america and before america. Contact us 54th massachusetts volunteer infantry regiment. They are standard officers dress epaulettes with a silverwire colonels eagle sewn to each. Douglass becomes a recruiter for the 54th massachusetts infantry, the first regiment of africanamerican soldiers. The book includes this illustration of a soldier in the 54th massachusetts. More than 1,000 blacks about 25 percent of whom were former slaves from 24 states and several countries enlisted in the regiment. This was one of the first major actions in which african american soldiers fought for the union in the american civil war. Appleton donated the enlistment roll of company a of the 54th massachusetts infantry regiment. An accurate portrayal of blacks in the civil war is our objective and in order to achieve this, we need men with a strong interest in history and the motivation to do the job well. In this relief art lesson, students analyze the art and note the detail of the expressions of the men. The 54th regiment was established in march of 1863, and authorized by the secretary of war, edwin m. Epaulettes and storage case belonging to colonel robert gould shaw, commander of the 54th massachusetts volunteer infantry. A biographical study ofthe 54th massachusetts regiment. The shaw memorial depicts colonel robert shaw with the 54th massachusetts infantry regiment, the first african american union regiment.
The real story of the 54th regiment of massachusetts. Of the 600 men that charged fort wagner, 272 were killed, wounded, or captured. This is a framed historic flag reproduction of the civil war national flag carried by the 54th massachusetts infantry regiment. Prominent abolitionist robert gould shaw, who at the time was 25, accepted the position of colonel of the fiftyfourth, believing that the regiment. The massachusetts 54th regiment was a group of africanamericans who fought for and served the union during the civil war. Pair these records with compiled service records for the 54th available on fold3 for a rich history of the men who served. Known simply as the 54th, this regiment became famous after the heroic, but illfated, assault on fort wagner, south carolina in july, 1863. In early january 1861, as civil war approached, the men of massachusetts began to form volunteer militia units. During the next two years, he rose to the rank of captain. Massachusetts infantry regiment, 54th 18631865 publisher boston.