Monday, February 3, 2014

Black History Focus: 54th Massachusetts Regiment

You may have seen “Glory” the movie with Denzel Washington which depicted the 54th Massachusetts Regiment. The 54th Massachusetts Regiment was the first African American volunteer Infantry to serve under white commander, Colonel Robert G. Shaw during the Civil War. “In July 1863, the Infantry, including two sons of Frederick Douglass, led an assault on Fort Wagner, near Charleston harbor. The attack failed.” Over 40 percent of the soldiers were killed. Among the dead was Colonel Robert G. Shaw. “Among the survivors were Douglass’s sons and Sergeant William Carney, the first African American to win a Congressional Medal of Honor.” 

For more on Civil War Black Soldiers Click Here

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