Under the command of Hallowell, now a colonel, the 54th spent the rest of the war attached to various Union elements in the South. After Federal forces finally captured Fort Wagner on Sept. Quincy A. Gillmore ordered an expedition to Florida to disrupt enemy operations. The 54th participated in this expedition and fought in the Battle of Olustee, the largest battle of the war to occur in Florida. After Confederate forces pushed back the main Union line, the 54th fought a successful rear-guard action which allowed the attacking force to retreat.
Yet, despite their valor and service, many refused to treat the men of the 54th equally. For the same service, the Army paid them less than their white counterparts and often overlooked them in awards, including the Medal of Honor. After persistent efforts by Hallowell, Congress passed a bill on Sept.
The men of 54th Massachusetts served courageously and honorably. Their service opened a door for future African Americans to join the Army, including the formation of the Buffalo Soldiers, a group African-American cavalryman. Although he received an honorable discharge, the Army never recognized him for his actions at Fort Wagner. Frederick Douglass and other abolitionists were proven correct, the 54th and other African-American Soldiers contributed to victory in the Civil War.
American Battlefield Trust. The 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. The United States Colored Troops. Cox, Clinton. New York: Scholastic, Dobak, William A. Freedom by the Sword: The U. Colored Troops , Washington D. Douglass, Frederick.
Egerton, Douglas R. New York: Basic Books, Linderman, Gerald F. New York: The Free Press, Pohanka, Brian C. United States War Department. Swails Copy photograph of carte de visite, originally taken circa Lieutenant Peter Vogelsang Copy photograph of carte de visite, originally taken circa Lieutenant Frank M.
Welch Copy photograph of carte de visite, originally taken circa By the middle of February , recruiting for the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment was underway. Newspaper advertisements and recruiting posters see below encouraged black men to enlist. Twenty-five men responded promptly, and by the end of the first week of enlistments seventy-two recruits were present at Camp Meigs in Readville now Hyde Park , Massachusetts.
However, more soldiers were needed and recruiters turned their attention to states throughout the North and South and into Canada to locate enough eligible black men to fill the regiment. By 14 May , the regiment was comprised of enlisted men, and a full complement of white officers.
In May , Captain John W. The remaining recruits became the nucleus of the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. Now in Camp at Readville! To Colored Men. Massachusetts Volunteers, Of African Descent Printed form completed in manuscript. On 16 July , serving as a diversion for the intended attack on Morris Island, South Carolina, the Fifty-fourth Regiment saw its first action on James Island, losing forty-five men.
On 18 July, after several days with little sleep, food or water, the regiment was instructed to lead the attack against Fort Wagner on Morris Island see an watercolor of Morris Island from Fort Wagner by Henry Webber. In the disastrous assault led by Colonel Shaw, the 54th suffered very heavy losses, most notably the loss of their commander, and nearly half of the men present were killed, wounded, or missing. All attacks against Fort Wagner that day failed, leaving the fort in Confederate hands.
The unit never suffered higher casualties during the entire rest of the war than they did on that July night in The heroic attack solidified their place in American history, it confirmed to the Union government and citizens that enlisting African American soldiers was a good idea and more regiments were soon formed.
After the battle of Fort Wagner the 54th Massachusetts regiment continued on with a new commander Colonel Edward Hallowel. The regiment participated in some minor fighting during the battle of Olustee on February 20th when they protected the Union retreat during the battle.
After the battle of Olustee they participated in a few more skirmishes up until the end of the war in Colonel Robert Gould Shaw. Related Posts. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site you agree to our use of cookies. Got it Privacy Policy. Go to Top.
The man to lead the 54th was Robert Gould Shaw. Shaw was a member of the 2nd Massachusetts and had already seen combat and was previously wounded at the Battle of Antietam. In February of , recruiting for the 54th began and Shaw was promoted to colonel of the regiment. By May of , the regiment had filled to one thousand men and consisted of men from not only Massachusetts, but from New York, Pennsylvania, and other northern cities and states.
On May 28, , the men were ready to depart on their journey. The 54th marched through Boston with a crowd of twenty thousand cheering them on to their departure. The 54th loaded onto the Demolay and ventured south.
Shaw and Montgomery led a raid on the small town of Darien, Georgia in which Montgomery instructed the 2nd Carolina and the 54th Massachusetts to loot the town and subsequently set fire to the town. The 54th successfully stopped a Confederate advance meant for the 10th Connecticut that was retreating. Repeatedly, the 54th Massachusetts repelled Confederate advances until the 10th Connecticut could withdraw from the area. After the smoke settled, the 54th had amassed 43 casualties, while the Confederates were pushed back.
The anticipation of another engagement was itching in the 54th's collars. Just two days later, on July 18, , the 54th was in the vanguard of the assault on Fort Wagner , overlooking Charleston Harbor.
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