Addison Eagle
Famous black Civil War 54th Regiment included Vermonters
Black History Month
The famous New England Civil War regiment portrayed in the 1990 motion picture "Glory", the Massachusetts 54th
Regiment, will be celebrated by area reenactors during Black History Month at Old Sturbridge Village, in Sturbridge,
Mass., where some of the movie was filmed. The 54th was the first all-black volunteer military unit in the country. And
just like the real 54th, today's reenactors include several African-American Vermonters.
Rutland — The famous New England Civil War regiment portrayed in the 1990 motion picture "Glory", the
Massachusetts 54th Regiment, will be celebrated by area reenactors during Black History Month at Old Sturbridge
Village, in Sturbridge, Mass., where some of the movie was filmed.
The 54th was the first all-black volunteer military unit in the country. And just like the real 54th, today's reenactors will
include several African-American Vermonters.
Commissioned in 1863 and commanded by white officer Robert Gould Shaw (portrayed by Matthew Broderick in the
movie), the 54th distinguished itself in the Battle of Fort Wagner in South Carolina, which guarded the Port of
Charleston.
Shaw and 281 soldiers were killed storming the fort.
Today, members of the Boston-based 54th keep the history of the 54th alive through battle reenactments and school
appearances with a special performance at Old Sturbridge Village Feb. 23-24.