8?
Fifty-fourth Massachusetts
was organizedin March 1863 and was
The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts
coruumded by RobertGould Shaw,the 26 year old memberof a prominent
Bostonabolitionist family. As one of the first black units organizedin the
northernstates,the 54h was the object of greatinterestandcuriosity, and its
performancewould be consideredan importantindication of the possibilities
sunoundingthe useof blacksin combat.The regimentwascomposedprimarily
and
of fiee blacksfrom throughoutthe north, particulady Massachusetts
Chades
Douglass,
Pennsylvania.Amongstits recruitswere Lewis N. Douglassand
sonsof the famousex-slaveandabolitionist,FrederickDouglass.
After a period of training, the unit proceededto Hilton Head,SouthCarolinain
June 1863and soonafter sawits first actionat JamesIsland.The regimentearned
its greatestfame on luly 18, 1863whenit leadsthe unsuccessfulassaulton Fort
was the lead
Wagner,SouthCarolina.In this attackthe 54e Massachusetts
regimentandsuffered281 casualties.RobertGould Shawdied leadingthe charge
of the 54e on the fort.
remainsthe most
More than a century after the war, the 546 Massachusetts
famousblack regimentof the war; due largely to the popularity of the movie
"Glory," which recountsthe story of the regimentprior to and including the attack
on Battery Wagner.
Questions:
1. From the illustration, how would you addresschargesthat black troopscould
not be trustedandwouldn't be effectivein combat?
Why do you
2. What do you notice aboutthe officers of the 54mMassachusetts?
believethis was the case?
had to fight and
3. Analyze the motivesthe membersof the 54e Massachusetts
to fight well?
sufferedover 4O7oincasualtieshow
4. Knowing that the 546 Massachusetts
eagerwould you havebeento be the leadregimentin the attackon Fort
Wagner?
Jim Schneider
McAuleyHigh School
Cincinnati,0hio
1e
54e }Iassachrsetts attack on FL Wagner, South Carolina' July 18' 1863