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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 5th


Despite being the last African-American regiment raised in Massachusetts, the 5th Massachusetts Cavalry had an impressive roster of soldiers


A Black and White Photograph of Sergeant Charles Douglass, 5th Massachusetts.

Sergeant Charles Douglass, 5th Massachusetts Cavalry
As a soldier in a cavalry regiment, Charles Douglass wore a distinctive uniform. This included a shortened coat, sturdy leather boots, and a heavy saber.
- Courtesy of Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, Howard University Archives

Charles Douglass was the youngest son of famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass. He was said to be the first soldier enlisted in the African-American regiments from Massachusetts. After briefly serving in the 54th Infantry, he was commissioned as a first sergeant in the 5th Cavalry. After his discharge from the Army in 1865, he moved to Washington, D.C., and played for the Mutuals, one of the first African-American baseball clubs. In later life he worked as a clerk in the Pension Office, and died in Washington, D.C., in 1920.

A photo of a roll that provides personal information on soldiers at the 5th including their ages, occupations, and places of residence.
Descriptive roll of the 5th Massachusetts Cavalry

As with other African-American regiments from Massachusetts, over one thousand men served in the 5th Massachusetts Cavalry. This roll provides personal information on soldiers at the 5th including their ages, occupations, and places of residence.
- Massachusetts Archives


A letter of recommendation from Governor John Andrew

- Massachusetts Archives

Letter from Governor John Andrew recommending Charles Douglass for promotion Charles Douglass received a personal recommendation from the Massachusetts governor for his position as an offi cer in the 5th Massachusetts Cavalry.