Who created the 54th regiment of Massachusetts?

Answer 1

The 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment was created by the US War Department, upon request from the Governor of the state to form such a unit.

Additional information:

The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that saw extensive federal service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was one of the first official black units in the United States armed forces. An earlier regiment of Black freedmen, the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, had fought alongside George Washington in the Revolutionary War.

The regiment was authorized in March 1863 by the Governor of Massachusetts, John A Andrew. Commanded by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, it sprang to life after the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation. Secretary of War Edwin M Stanton decided white officers would be in charge of all "colored" units. Colonel Shaw was hand picked by Governor John Andrew. Governor Andrew also selected Norwood Penrose "Pen" Hallowell as the unit's second in command, a rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Like many officers of regiments of African-American troops, both Shaw and Hallowell were promoted several grades, both being captains at the time. The rest of the officers were evaluated by Shaw and Hallowell. Many of these officers were of abolitionist families and several were chosen by Governor Andrew himself. Lt. Col. Norwood Hallowell was joined by his younger brother Edward Needles Hallowell who was eventually appointed major in the regiment and would later command it after Shaw's death. Twenty-four of the twenty-nine officers were veterans but only six had been previously commissioned.

At the Battle of Fort Wagner, the 54th showed valor in a losing cause.