54th Massachusetts

Fort Wagner

Robert Gould Shaw

The gallant men of the 54th Massachusetts were seen as groundbreakers in the fight, not only against the Confederacy, but also against slavery. The passion these brave men must have demonstrated while engaged in battle must have been miraculous to witness. The creation of the regiment was the work of the Secretary of War Stanton, whom felt that the freemen of the North should and could be utilized as warriors for the cause, their own cause.

This was simplistic in nature and should have been instituted long ago. The outcome of the war was in question up until this phenomenon came about. Once the free black and proud men of the Union army were involved, the tide of war made a dramatic and effective change of course.

The new regiment was comprised of black enlisted men, led by handpicked white officers. These Caucasian, affluent and well-to -do citizens of the North, were the top choices made by Stanton. A sort of reward, if you will, for their support both financially and morally. This was seen as a relatively shrewd political move by Stanton and garnered the full support of the white race in the North.

We must remember that during those trying times, the viewpoints of those on either side did not have to match up with our modern day theoretical mindsets. It was a different time period and it contained vastly differing, sometimes foreign, ideologies and theories, than our own modern day affiliations.

The 54th Massachusetts was well trained and well drilled on the intricacies of battle. The fanfare was not lost in the streets of Boston, as the heralded regiment was paraded through, like a New Year's Day flotilla. The commander of the regiment was Robert Gould Shaw, the 25-year-old son of wealthy abolitionist parents in the city of Boston.

He was Caucasian but shared the views of his black men and would demonstrate that in the battles to come. His valor was never in question, nor should it have been. The regiment left the safe streets of Boston and boarded a few ships that were heading for the coast of South Carolina. The regiment would see its first battle action defending the island of St. James.

Their most dynamic and remembered battle would come when they were chosen to lead the attack on Fort Wagner on Morris Island, South Carolina. It was this battle that books and movies have been made telling the story of the first black regiment in the Union army.

When the battle started, and the men of the 54th Massachusetts were about to charge the beach at Morris Island, Commander Shaw said, "I want you to prove to yourselves, the eyes of thousands will look on what you do tonight". Prophetic words indeed, and gave the inspiration that the men required to stay focused and effective. Fanfare and appreciation was fine at the parades, the real test was dodging life-ending pieces of lead and having to commence killing your enemy.

The honor of being able to fight the very same people that were fighting to keep you in chains must have been both thrilling and terrifying. The enlisting and forming of the first all-black regiment altered the course of the war and the South was feeling the affects of the Union's intelligent use of manpower.

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