As a newly formed African American regiment partly composed of former slaves, they wanted to prove their equality with the white troops, and actively fight for their newly won freedom.
As a guess, he knew no other commander would volunteer for something that would be a complete slaughter. And, perhaps, as the Colonel of a black regiment, he knew if he didn't volunteer his men, they would be ordered to do it.
It was mainly made up of free slaves, it was led by Robert Shaw. They were most famous on their attack of fort wagner.
The African American unit that led the attack on Fort Wagner was the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. This regiment, composed predominantly of African American soldiers, fought bravely during the assault on July 18, 1863, as part of the Union's efforts in the Civil War. Their courageous charge, despite heavy casualties, played a significant role in changing perceptions about African American soldiers in the military.
The 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment demonstrated its determination to win the Civil War during its courageous assault on Fort Wagner in July 1863. Composed of African American soldiers, the regiment bravely led the charge despite facing heavy fire and overwhelming odds. Their valor and sacrifice highlighted both the commitment of Black soldiers to the Union cause and the critical role they played in the fight for freedom and equality. The attack ultimately became a symbol of courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
The attack by a brigade which included several regiments, including the 54th Massachusetts, on Battery Wagner was repulsed. Some of the attackers did make it to the interior of the fortification, but the Rebels rallied and drove them out. Battery Wagner never fell to the Yankees. Developments elsewhere around Charleston rendered the Rebel ability to continue to hold the battery questionable, so it was evacuated by its garrison and blown up as they retreated.
Fort Wagner.
Fort Wagner.
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The 54th Massachusetts infantry (coloured) regiment.
As a guess, he knew no other commander would volunteer for something that would be a complete slaughter. And, perhaps, as the Colonel of a black regiment, he knew if he didn't volunteer his men, they would be ordered to do it.
54th Massachusetts Regiment lead by Col. Shaw A statue commemorating this regiment stands in front of the Government State House on the square in Boston.
It was mainly made up of free slaves, it was led by Robert Shaw. They were most famous on their attack of fort wagner.
The African American unit that led the attack on Fort Wagner was the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. This regiment, composed predominantly of African American soldiers, fought bravely during the assault on July 18, 1863, as part of the Union's efforts in the Civil War. Their courageous charge, despite heavy casualties, played a significant role in changing perceptions about African American soldiers in the military.
The 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment demonstrated its determination to win the Civil War during its courageous assault on Fort Wagner in July 1863. Composed of African American soldiers, the regiment bravely led the charge despite facing heavy fire and overwhelming odds. Their valor and sacrifice highlighted both the commitment of Black soldiers to the Union cause and the critical role they played in the fight for freedom and equality. The attack ultimately became a symbol of courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
An infantry regiment that fought in the American Civil War and was one of the first official black units in the United States armed forces - Wikipedia.On the Union Army was the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, the first official black unit that was commanded by white officers. This Infantry Regiment led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw made history fighting very hard in the failed attempt to capture Fort Wagner, where Shaw and more than half of the Regiment died. This heroic feat triggered the recruitment of many black soldiers into the Union Army, which was an important step forward in their integration. - Quhist .com link below.
The attack by a brigade which included several regiments, including the 54th Massachusetts, on Battery Wagner was repulsed. Some of the attackers did make it to the interior of the fortification, but the Rebels rallied and drove them out. Battery Wagner never fell to the Yankees. Developments elsewhere around Charleston rendered the Rebel ability to continue to hold the battery questionable, so it was evacuated by its garrison and blown up as they retreated.
The 54th Massachusetts continued to serve in the Union forces after the unsuccessful attack on Fort Wagner, which was the climactic scenes of the movie "Glory". That attack was July 18, 1863, and the regiment lost 116 killed, including Colonel Shaw, and another 156 wounded or captured. The Union forces gave up on that attempt to capture Charleston after Fort Wagner.The 54th Massachusetts was part of an expedition to Florida. The regiment fought a rear-guard action during the Battle of Olusteee, or Ocean Pond, February 20, 1864, which was the largest battle of the war in Florida, and the second biggest for the regiment. The regiment was then involved in a supporting mission which was supposed to cut a railroad, in support of Sherman's March to the Sea, and was in a small battle at Honey Hill in Georgia, in November 1864. The regiment's final action was a small battle at Boykin's Mill in South Carolina, in mid April 1865.By August 20, 1865, the members of the regiment were discharged and the regiment disbanded.The Federal government continued to award the Medal of Honor for many years after the war for Civil War valor. More than half of Civil War awards of the Medal came more than twenty years after the war. William Harvey Carney of the 54th Massachusetts was awarded the Medal of Honor on May 23, 1900, for his actions on July 18, 1863 against Fort Wagner. He picked up the regiment's colors after the color bearer fell, and carried them up the breastworks of the Fort and back down. He had planted the flag on the top of the breastworks and held it, though wounded, while the troops attacked. When they had to retreat he carried the colors away, though wounded two more times. He then turned the flag over to another survivor, and said "Boys, I only did my duty; the old flag never touched the ground." Carney was the 21st African-American to receive the Medal, but the action during which he earned it was the earliest. He lived until 1908.