The Importance of the 54th Massachusetts

"I was not quite eighteen when the regiment sailed. My Mother, Rob's wife, my sisters and I were on the balcony to see the regiment go by, and when Rob riding at its head, looked up and kissed his sword, his face was as the face of an angel and I felt perfectly sure he would never come back."
~ Ellen Shaw, sister of Robert Gould Shaw

The 54th Massachusetts was the first combat-rated African-American regiment serving for the Union in the Civil War. The regiment was active from 1863 to the war’s end in 1865. The regiment’s first commander was Colonel Robert Gould Shaw who served until his death on July 18, 1863. The first six months were the most important in the regiment’s history.

William Harvey holding the Union flag.

-54thmass.org

The formation of the 54th didn’t instantaneously change the racial attitude Northerners had towards African-Americans, especially those who opposed the idea of African-American soldiers. Many Northerners believed that black soldiers lacked the discipline and commitment to be good soldiers. Even with the creation of the 54th, there continued to be segregation in the army. The soldiers of the 54th were treated unfairly from the beginning. They were paid less, commanded by white officers, and could not be promoted to Colonel. Black soldiers endured more hardships, had worse supplies and food, and were considered to be second-class citizens. They somehow tolerated the discrimination. They were not only fighting for the Union, but for their freedom.

On February 22, 1863 Shaw arrived in Readville, Massachusetts, to meet his troops. For the next three months, the regiment was formally trained to be ready for combat. Soon thereafter, under the direct order of General David Hunter they were sent to torch a defenseless port town, Darien, Georgia -which Shaw objected to, as he believed it was cruel. The regiment finally proved themselves on July 16, 1863, by responding to a surprise attack at James Island, South Carolina. Two days later, the Battle of Fort Wagner occurred, near Charleston, S.C., which was both the shining hour and the death knell for the 54th Massachusetts. The soldiers knew it was a suicide mission, but fought anyway. They charged the fort head-on, against great odds.

After Robert Gould Shaw was killed in battle, Robert Newell went on to lead the 54th. He served in the 54th from January 5, 1864,

and remained with the 54th until the regiment was discharged on August 20, 1865.

-54thmass.org (originally from "A Brave Black Regiment: The History of the 5th Massachusetts, 1863-1865-Captain Luis R. Emilio.)

To Emancipation Proclamation

To The Battle at Fort Wagner