The 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment was among the first colored units to serve during the Civil War. The detachment, formed following President Lincoln’s issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, was under the command of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, a white soldier who belonged to an abolitionist family. The 54th Massachusetts attained fame and recognition not only for its obvious historical significance, but also for its valiant participation in the attack on Fort Wagner in South Carolina. Colonel Shaw, along with hundreds of his men, were killed during that battle which has been immortalized in art, literature, frequent historical reenactments, and even an award-winning film, Glory. A monument dedicated to the 54th Massachusetts and its leader, Colonel Shaw, still stands in Boston today as a testament to the regiment’s bravery and its role in shaping the events of the Civil War.
The 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment: An Introduction
