Men of the 54th massachusetts and the 1st new york engineers in a trench on. The fiftyfourth massachusetts volunteer infantry regiment was the first military unit consisting of black soldiers to be raised in the north during the civil war. The fiftyfourth massachusetts volunteer infantry regiment was the first military. The unit was the second africanamerican regiment, following the 1st kansas colored volunteer infantry regiment organized in the northern states during the civil war.
Many blacks refused to enlist because of the discriminatory pay. The history of the fifty fourth regiment of massachusetts volunteer infantry 18631865 captain luis f. A history of the fifty fourth regiment of massachusetts volunteer colored infantry in the civil war. Genealogy quest 2nd massachusetts volunteer infantry killed, wounded and missing, 1st, 2nd and 3rd july 1898. The entire collection of 108 photographs is described in a collection guide with links to digitized images,54th massachusetts volunteer infantry regiment photographs photo. This barcode number lets you verify that youre getting exactly the right version or edition of a book.
Watch now to learn about who was recruited into the 54th massachusetts, and discover the truth behind the famous film glory. The second south carolina and the fiftyfourth massachusetts followed early in 1863. The following is a list of the killed and wounded of the 2nd massachusetts volunteer infantry, in the three days fighting before santiago on 1st, 2nd and 3rd july 1898. Prior to 1863, no concerted effort was made to recruit black troops as union soldiers.
They were formed in march of 1863, and were organized at camp meigs in readville, massachusetts, right. The fiftyfourth massachusetts infantry volunteers colored and the pay inequality it faced, january 1s63 september 29, 1864 by major leodis t. The fiftyfourth massachusetts regiment served a year without pay rather than accept the unfair wages. The 54th regiment massachusetts volunteer infantry was an infantry regiment that saw extensive service in the union army during the american civil war. The fiftyfourth massachusetts infantry was the first northern black volunteer regiment enlisted to fight in the civil war its accomplished combat record led to the general recruitment of africanamericans as soldiers. The real story behind the movie glory junne, george h.
Shaw had earlier served in the seventh new york national guard and the second massachusetts infantry, and was appointed colonel of the fiftyfourth in february. Internet archive bookreader history of the fifty fourth regiment of masachusetts volunteer infantry, 18631865. The closeknit unit had to overcome many obstacles in order to fight in a white mans war. Contributor names jones, henry composer created published. On this day in 1863, the 54th massachusetts volunteer infantry, the first black regiment from the north, paraded in full dress uniform on boston common. Fiftyfourth massachusetts civil war regiment digital. Fiftyfourth massachusetts civil war regiment coverageyear 1897 description relief sculpture by augustus saint gaudens shows robert gould shaw and the 54th massachusetts regiment. Contains letters and endorsements, orders issued and received, descriptive lists, quarterly, monthly and annual returns, muster rolls and miscellaneous papers. Army life in a black regiment, by thomas wentworth higginson. The fifty fourth massachusetts infantry was the first northern black volunteer regiment enlisted to fight in the civil war its accomplished combat record led to the general recruitment of africanamericans as soldiers. The fifty fourth massachusetts was organized in march 1863 at camp meigs, readville, massachusetts by colonel robert gould shaw, twentysix year old member of a prominent boston abolitionist family.
Throughout the movie one quote kept proving itself true, we went down standing up. This was the first all black regiment the union ever allowed to fight. Gillmore had told seymour the day before to push forward as far as. The fiftyfourth massachusetts volunteer infantry the. The history of the fiftyfourth regiment of massachusetts volunteer infantry 18631865. Manuscript, archives, and rare book library copy has bookplate of holbrook public library. History of the fiftyfourth regiment of massachusetts volunteer infantry, 18631865 source information. Now or never fiftyfourth massachusetts infantrys war to end. History of the fiftyfourth regiment of massachusetts. Of the estimated 2 million people who fought on the union side, some 180,000 black soldiers and sailors fought for the union and for freedom during the civil war. The adoption of the emancipation proclamation in december of 1862 provided the impetus for the.
Links to nine other sites which contain casualty lists, war songs, current day reenactments, etc. Fiftyfourth massachusetts infantrys war to end slavery. A collection of genealogical profiles related to 44th massachusetts infantry usa, us civil war. That unit would later become company c of the 54th massachusetts infantry regiment. Fiftyfourth massachusetts infantry, of engagement at olustee. The 54th massachusetts volunteer infantry regiment were removed from the records of the fiftyfourth massachusetts volunteer infantry regiment, a gift by mary silsbee emilio to the massachusetts historical society in 1920. History of the fiftyfourth regiment of massachusetts volunteer infantry, 18631865 luis f emilio. There was something unique about the new regiment, commanded by colonel robert gould shaw. History of the fiftyfourth regiment of masachusetts. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Massachusetts did not have many african american residents, but by the time 54th infantry regiment headed off to training camp two weeks. This is the story of the 54th massachusetts infantry from initial recruitment of the regiment to its final service. Fiftyfourth massachusetts infantry a brief history of the regiment. The fiftyfourth massachusetts volunteer infantry the battle of fort wagner and the battle of chaffins farm the fort pillow massacre colonel robert gould.
History of the fiftyfourth regiment of massachusetts volunteer infantry, 18631865. The fiftyfourth massachusetts volunteer infantry regiment was the first regiment consisting of black soldiers to be raised in the north during the civil war. History of the fiftyfourth regiment of massachusetts volunteer. Stephens and gooding not only served in the massachusetts 54th infantry. Shaw had earlier served in the seventh new york national guard and the second massachusetts infantry, and was. To a regimental commander no book can be so fascinating as the. History of the fiftyfourth regiment of massachusetts volunteers infantry, 1863. The fiftyfourth massachusetts robert gould shaw organized the fiftyfourth massachusetts in march 1863 at camp meigs, readville, massachusetts, he was a twentysix year old member of a prominent boston abolitionist family. Page 2 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. Record of the service of the fortyfourth massachusetts volunteer militia in north carolina, boston 1887, privately printed. Massachusetts infantry regiment, 54th 18631865 publisher boston. This thesis documents the inequality of pay of the fiftyfourth massachusetts infantry volunteers colored from its inception on.
A history of the fiftyfourth regiment of massachusetts. The fiftyfourth massachusetts infantry was the first northern black volunteer regiment enlisted to fight in the civil war. Records of the fiftyfourth massachusetts infantry regiment colored, 18631865 united states. The 54th massachusetts volunteer infantry regiment became the second black. Fiftyfourth displays a civil war recruiting poster for this regiment. Fiftyfourth massachusetts infantrys war to end slavery by ray anthony shepard here is the riveting dual biography of two littleknown but extraordinary men in civil war historygeorge e.
Now or never fiftyfourth massachusetts infantrys war. The story of the 32d massachusetts infantry was, of course, in most respects like. The story behind the famous 54th massachusetts infantry. National archives and records administration united states. The 54th massachusetts infantry regiment was one of the most celebrated regiments of black soldiers that fought in the civil war. New bedfords civil war examines the social, political, economic, and military history of new bedford, massachusetts, in the nineteenth century, with a focus on the civil war homefront from 1861 to 1865 and on the citys black community, soldiers, and veterans. Includes previous photo as well as those of other soldiers and officers. The 4th regiment, massachusetts infantry militia was organized at boston may 27, 1862,and was mustered out may 31, 1862.
History of the fiftyfourth regiment of massachusetts volunteer infantry, 18631865 basic afroamerican reprint library by luis fenollosa emilio author isbn. The 54th regiment became famous for its fighting prowess and for the great courage of its members. Of the over 2 million men who served in the union armies, the largest number were men who. Us colored troops, 18621867 army center of military history. Interpretation shortly after president signed the emancipation proclamation, african americans were recruited to serve on the union side. The fiftyfourth massachusetts was organized in march 1863 at camp meigs, readville, massachusetts by colonel robert gould shaw, twentysix year old member of a prominent boston abolitionist family. Fiftyfourth massachusetts infantry is a website containing a number of useful links to primary sources and related websites relating to the regiment. After ceremonies at the state house, they marched to. This wasnt the most exciting read but was still a useful history of the regiment which was commemorated in the 1989 film glory. This book is not a history of the civil war, nor even of the army of the potomac.
History of the fiftyfourth regiment of massachusetts volunteer infantry, 18631865 database online. Two black civil war soldiers and writers offer unique perspectives about how. Following emancipation, there was a push for black people to be able to enlist. I watched them push off into the darkness, got the remaining force ready to land. This website contains a short history of the 54th massachusetts. Its accomplished combat record led to the general recruitment of africanamericans as soldiers. They ultimately comprised ten percent of union army and navy the fifty fourth s successful campaign for equal pay also signaled a move toward racial justice in the military. Drawing upon military pension files, published accounts, and welfare records, this book pays particular attention to soldiers and families connected with the fiftyfourth massachusetts volunteer infantry, the brave black regiment made famous by the academy awardwinning 1989 film glory that helped shape national debates over black military. They ultimately comprised ten percent of union army and navy the fiftyfourths successful campaign for equal pay also signaled a move toward racial justice in the military. Massachusetts was the first state to enlist black soldiers. Colored infantry regiments and the 54th regiment massachusetts volunteers in the battle of honey hill, south carolina on 30 november 1864. Authorized by the emancipation proclamation, the regiment consisted of african. Another battle on james island was fought on 1 and 2 july 1864 by the 55th and the 33rd u.
The members of the fiftyfourth proved that they wanted to go down standing up just by joining the army. A history of the fiftyfourth regiment of massachusetts volunteer colored infantry of the civil war. The fiftyfourth massachusetts was organized in march, 1863 at camp meigs, readville, massachusetts by robert gould shaw, twentysix year old member of a prominent boston abolitionist family. Companies in this regiment with the counties of origin edit edit source men often enlisted in a company recruited in the counties where they lived though not always. History of the fiftyfourth regiment of massachusetts volunteer infantry, 18631865 by emilio, luis f. The failure to push on to the head of johns island that. Its members became known for their bravery and fierce fighting against confederate forces. The 54th regiment massachusetts infantry was a volunteer union regiment organized in the american civil war. The history of the fifty fourth regiment of massachusetts volunteer infantry 18631865 paperback march 22, 1995.