The first African-American regiment raised in the North, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry served with honor until the end of the Civil War.
On January 26, 1863, Massachusetts Governor John Andrew was authorized to raise a regiment of African-American soldiers. Recruiting began immediately, and by May over 1000 men had enlisted in the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. Under the command of Boston native Robert Gould Shaw, the soldiers were sent to South Carolina to participate in the operations against Charleston. In July 1863, the 54th valiantly lead the assault on Fort Wagner and lost over 200 men. The regiment continued to serve in the South, and fought bravely in several more battles before returning to Boston in August 1865.
Order of Secretary of War
After multiple attempts by Governor Andrew to seek permission to raise regiments of Black volunteers in Massachusetts, this order finally allowed him to “include persons of African descent” in newly raised regiments.
Massachusetts Archives
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War Department
Washington City
January 26th 1863
Ordered
That Governor Andrew of Massachusetts is authorized, until further orders, to raise such number of volunteer companies of artillery for duty in the forts of Massachusetts and elsewhere, and such corps of infantry for the volunteer military service, as he may find convenient, such volunteers to be enlisted for three years or until sooner discharged, and may include persons of African descent, organized into separate corps. He will make the usual needful requisitions on the appropriate Staff bureaus and officers for the proper transportation organization, supplies, subsistence, arms and equipments of such volunteers.
(Signed) Edwin M. Stanton
Secretary of War
A true copy
Geo. D. Ruggles
Asst. Adjutant General
Depiction of the attack on Fort Wagner
Fort Wagner was an integral part of the defenses of Charleston Harbor. The attack on the fort failed due to poor coordination by the Union officers commanding the battle, and the 54th suffered terrible casualties in the costly assault.
Courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
Sketches of the 54th Infantry in battle
These drawings were made by Captain Nathaniel Appleton, a white officer in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry. Drawn while under fire at the battle of Secessionville, July 16, 1863, they provide a rare depiction of the 54th in action.
Courtesy of Library of Congress, Courtesy of West Virginia Regional History Collection, West Virginia University Libraries
Newspaper article about the replacement of the state flag to the 54th Regiment
During the assault on Fort Wagner, the regimental flag was torn from its staff and captured by the enemy. A new color was sent to replace it.
Massachusetts Archives
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The New State Flag to the Fifty-Fourth Regiment
We learn from Morris Island correspondence that on the 2d inst. the 54th Massachusetts Volunteers received from Gov. Andrew a very beautiful new State flag, to replace that partially destroyed in the desperate charge on Fort Wagner of July 18. Wehn the original flag was presented by Gov. Andrew, he enjoined on the regiment to bring it back at the end of the war; or, if the flag should be torn from them to save at least the staff. During the fight of the 18th, two rebels shot the color-guard, and tore away half the flag. The staff with the mutilated remnant remained with the color-bearer, who bore it safely away when the retreat was ordered. When the new flag was presented them, the delight of the colored men and their officers was unbounded. Their cheers made a sensation for a mile around their camp. No more soldierly men exist than the 54th Massachusetts.
Letter describing the Battle of Olustee
The 54th Infantry fought in several other battles after Fort Wagner. This letter describes the 54th’s role in the Battle of Olustee, Florida.
Massachusetts Archives
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Jacksonville Fla. Feby 24 – 64
John A. Andrew Governor of Massachusetts
Governor
I have the honor
to report that on the 20th of this month the 54th Mass. Vols. took a part in an engagement with the enemy, at a place about fifty miles west from this town. The men all behaved well and were the last to leave the field. Sergt. Stephen A. Swails particularly distinguished himself for coolness and bravery, he is a man in every way competent to do credit in a higher position, & I with pleasure reccomend him for a Seccond Lieutenancy in this Regt. His skin is rather darker than most officers, but I trust that will not stand as an objection to him. The Regt. went into the fight with two field & thirteen line officers, and fourteen hundred & ninety seven enlisted men. The balance of the Regt. having been detailed on other duty. Our loss was in officers, three wounded, Lt R H L Jewett, in the neck not very serious, Lt H.W. Littlefield in the hand, Lt E.G. Tomlinson in the foot, in enlisted men, killed 14. wounded about 76. Total about 93.
Asst. Surgeon C.B. Bridgham has resigned because Surg. Gen. Dale refused to promote him, to fill vacancy caused by Surgeon LR Stones resignation.
Very Respectfully
E.N. Hallowell Col. 54th Mass. Vols.
Soldiers of the 54th
One member of the 54th, 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.
Sergeant William H. Carney
Courtesy of Museum of African American History
A letter describing the heroics of Sergeant Carney
This letter from an officer in the 54th relates the heroic tale of Sergeant Carney’s efforts to save the regimental flag from capture at the battle of Fort Wagner.
Massachusetts Archives
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Head Quarters 54th Mass. Vols.
Morris Islands S.C.
Oct. 15th 1863
Colonel
I have the honor to forward you the following letter received a few days since from Sergt. W. H. Carney, Co. "C". of this Regt. Mention has been made, of his heroic conduct in preserving the American Flag, and hear-ing it from the field, in the assault on Fort Wagner on the 18th of July last, before: but that you may have the history complete I send a simple statement of the facts as I have obtained them from him, and an officer who was an eye witness.
When the Sergeant arrived to within about one hundred yards of the Fort– he was with the first battalion which was in the advance of the storming column. he received the Regtl. colors pressed forward to the front rank, near the Col. who was leading the men over the ditch; he says, as they ascended the wall of the Fort, the ranks were full, but as soon as they reached the top "they mutton away." before the enemies fire. "almost in-stantly," and rallied back into the ditch. dead or wounded." he received a severe wound in the thigh. but did not fall only upon his knees; he planted the Flag on the parapet. lay down on the outer slope. that he might get as much shelter as possible; there he remained for over half an hour till the 2nd Brigade came up. + kept the colors flying till the second conflict was ended; When our forces retired, he followed creeping on one knee. still holding up the Flag. It was thus, Sergt. Carney came from the field having held the Emblem of Liberty. over the walls of Fort Wagner. during the sanguinary conflict of the two Brigades. and having received two very severe wounds. one in the thigh & one in the head, still he refused to give up his sacred trust until he found an officer of his Regt. When he entered the Field Hospital. where his wounded comrads were being brought in. they cheered him. and the colors. Though nearly exhausted with the loss of blood, in reply to their cheers he said, "Boys, the old Flag never touched the ground." Of him as a man and soldier I can speak in the highest terms of praise I have the honor to be Colonel.
very Respectfully your most obedient Servant
M. S. Littlefield
Col. comd'g 54th
Regt. Mass. Vols.
Col. Albert G. Brume Jr
Military Scy & Aid To His Excellency John A Andrew
Mass.
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
Letter from Private Ezekiel Barcus
While sick in the hospital, Ezekiel Barcus wrote to Massachusetts Governor John Andrew and President Abraham Lincoln, imploring the two men to do everything in their power to bring about a quick end to the war and to eradicate slavery. Barcus died of dysentery two months after this letter was written.
Massachusetts Archives
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October 7 1863
Morris Island the state of South Carolina 54 Mass Regiment Co B. Mr President Lincoln and Govenor Anders
Sir I purpose in writing you two men a few lines after my owing jugment as my learning is is small and no one to spell for me but a school boy and for no one to no about this letter thr but the great men of the day a question I shall ask now while the son that rises in the east and convey her self over us so bautiful and hide behind the western hills yet it seems to me there is a dark cloud a rising that will fade hour stars and stripes in the guards of this bumble slavery so as you read yo will fine my remarks about my early days and up this day and for days to com for I am black and if I had the power the stars and stripes should fay over the United States for ever if not in one way should another for I remember when this state rebel again the government befor abaout slavery for my sister plowed corn like a horse while master were atending to the war and were sold to Georgia after that and I have bin a slave 17 or 18 years my self and I have bin free 23 and 4 years so I kno more about bouth parties and I can tell you but from one degree on to another I se a small figure a working now that will beigone after while if not us.
[Note: Misspellings in this document have not been identified because of their frequent occurrence.]
Alexander H. Johnson, Massachusetts 54th Volunteer Infantry
A resident of New Bedford and a seaman by trade, Johnson was mustered into the 54th Regiment on March 30, 1863 at the age of 16 and served as a musician. He mustered out on August 20, 1865.
Courtesy of Massachusetts Historical Society
Henry Steward, 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
A farmer from Adrian, Michigan, Steward mustered in on April 23, 1863 as a Sergeant. He died of disease at the hospital on Morris Island, South Carolina on September 27, 1863.
Courtesy of Massachusetts Historical Society
Henry A. Monroe, 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
A laborer from New Bedford, Monroe mustered in on February 30, 1863 as a musician at the age of 18. He was mustered out on August 20, 1865.
Courtesy of Massachusetts Historical Society