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Commonwealth Museum   Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin
Commonwealth Museum Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin

Fire and Thunder: The Soldiers of the 54th


Over one thousand men served in Massachusetts’ first African-American regiment.

A hand drawn portrait of Sergeant William H. Carney’s
Sergeant William H. Carney, 54th Massachusetts Infantry
Later in life, Carney worked for the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office in the Massachusetts State House. He was killed there in an elevator accident in 1908
- Courtesy of Museum of African American History
Description of Sergeant William H. Carney’s later life working for the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office in the Massachusetts State House and his tragic death in an elevator accident in 1908. Document courtesy of the Museum of African American History.

The heroics of Sergeant Carney

A letter from Private Ezekiel Barcus, written while he was sick in the hospital, urging Massachusetts Governor John Andrew and President Abraham Lincoln to end the war and eradicate slavery. Barcus died of dysentery two months after writing the letter. Document from the Massachusetts Archives.

Letter from Private Barcus

Over one thousand men served in Massachusetts’ first African-American regiment.
William Harvey Carney was born a slave in Norfolk, Virginia in 1840. He earned his freedom and moved to New Bedford before enlisting in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry. During the assault on Fort Wagner, Sergeant Carney saved the flag of the 54th from capture. Despite being separated from his regiment and suffering from three severe wounds, Carney refused to relinquish his hold on the colors. Returning the flag to camp after the battle, Carney was greeted with cheers, and exclaimed to his comrades, “Boys, the Old Flag never touched the ground!” His actions were recognized in 1900, when he was awarded the Nation’s highest military award, the Congressional Medal of Honor.

A young boy wearing a military uniform and carrying a drum over his shoulders. He's positioned his hands so as to simulate playing the drum. The photo is very old, sepia toned and aged.

Photograph of Drummer Miles Moore, 54th Massachusetts Infantry

Miles Moore was only fifteen years old when he enlisted as a drummer in the 54th Massachusetts. During the battle of Fort Wagner, he served as a stretcher-bearer for the wounded. He remained in the United States Army after the war, and served with the famous “Buffalo Soldiers” on the frontier.

- Courtesy of Massachusetts Historical Society