Through their heroic, yet tragic, assault on Battery Wagner, South Carolina in July 1863, the 54th helped inspire the enlistment of more than 180,000 Black soldiers…a boost in morale and manpower that Lincoln recognized as essential to the victory of the United States and the destruction of slavery throughout the south.
The 54th Massachusetts numbered 600 men at the time of the assault. Of these, 270 were killed, wounded, or captured during the engagement. Colonel Shaw was killed, along with 29 of his men; 24 more later died of wounds, 15 were captured, 52 were missing in action and never accounted for, and 149 were wounded.
Many soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts remain in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Section 16 of Beaufort National Cemetery is one of the largest burial sites for soldiers of the regiment, many of whom died in the hospitals around the city of injuries and disease.
Artifact54th Massachusetts RegimentCollectionThe Underground RailroadThe African American Museumat the England ManorShare
The Underground Railroad Ava (Student) The Underground Railroad—the resistance of enslavement through escape and flight, during and until the end of the Civil War. What I think of this is its good education to learn more about all my ancestors. I wonder what their mindsets…
Colored Troops Jurnee (Student) United States Colored Troops were Union Army regiments(175 regiments; 178,000 men) The American Civil War was against the North and South so that the South would free their slaves. During the American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – April 9, 1865)…
Colored Troops Jurnee (Student) United States Colored Troops were Union Army regiments (175 regiments, 178,000 men). The American Civil War was the North versus South. The South would end up having to free their African slaves. During the American Civil War (April 12, 1861 –…