The Fighting 54th

It was 148 years ago today that the Massachusetts 54th regiment solidified their place in history with the assault on Fort Wagner on Morris Island at Charleston, South Carolina. Many would not even know about the legacy of the fighting 54th if not for the 1989 academy award winning movie, "Glory" starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, and Morgan Freeman. After the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1st, 1863, many former slaves in the south fled to the north and joined the union army. One of the first colored regiments to organize was the Massachusetts 54th commanded by 25 year old Robert Gould Shaw. After months of training and preparation, the Massachusetts 54th was ready for combat. However, the regiment would only be used for manual labor in the early part of 1863. With morale low among his soldiers, Colonel Shaw pleaded for an opportunity for the 54th to show what they could do. That opportunity would come on July 16, 1863 when the 54th repelled an attack on James Island. Two days later they would march into history with the assault on Fort Wagner. During the assault, nearly half of the regiment was killed, captured, or wounded, including Colonel Shaw. The fort was never taken. Due to the bravery and courage shown by the Massachusetts 54th, additional black regiments would assemble to fight for the union throughout the remainder of the war. President Lincoln credited the 54th with helping to turn the tide of the war. So today, on the 148th anniversary of the assault on Fort Wagner, we honor the service of America's first colored regiment, the fighting 54th.