Faces of the 54th

“We can get at the throat of treason and slavery through the State of Massachusetts. She was first in the War of Independence; first to break the chains of her slaves; first to make the black man equal before the law; first to admit colored children to her common schools. She was first to answer with her blood the alarm cry of the nation when its capital was menaced by the Rebels … I need add no more, Massachusetts now welcomes you as her soldiers…”
—Frederick Douglass

Responding to recruitment efforts by such luminaries as Frederick Douglass and local leaders such as Lewis Hayden, volunteers from across the city, state, and nation, and even other countries, came to Boston to fill the ranks of the 54th Regiment.

The portraits and biographies in this exhibit illustrate the diverse backgrounds of those who served the 54th Massachusetts.

Gallery 1: Featured Enlisted Members of the 54th

Individuals from all walks of life comprised the 54th Regiment. Many, such as Frederick Douglass’s sons Lewis and Charles, came from the free Black communities of the North. Others, such as William H. Carney, began their lives enslaved in the southern states before coming north and joining the 54th Regiment. This gallery takes a deeper dive into the life stories of some of the diverse members of the 54th and the integral roles they played in this groundbreaking regiment.

Sergeant Major Lewis H. Douglass

The son of Frederick and Anna Douglass, Lewis Douglass held a job as a printer in Rochester, New York. At age 22, Douglass enlisted in the… Explore More >

The son of Frederick and Anna Douglass, Lewis Douglass held a job as a printer in Rochester, New York. At age 22, Douglass enlisted in the 54th Regiment on March 25, 1863. He was promoted to Sergeant Major a month later and remained on active duty until his discharge on August 20, 1865. Explore More >

Sgt. William H. Carney

Sergeant William H. Carney Jr. enlisted in the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment, and became the first African American recipient of the Medal of Honor… Explore More >

Sergeant William H. Carney Jr. enlisted in the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment, and became the first African American recipient of the Medal of Honor for his brave actions during the battle at Fort Wagner. Respected around the nation, he dedicated the rest of his life to family, community, and public service. Explore More >

Private John Goosberry

One of the twenty-one Black recruits from Canada, twenty-five-year-old Goosberry, a sailor of St. Catharine’s, Ontario, was mustered into Company E on July 16, 1863,… Explore More >

One of the twenty-one Black recruits from Canada, twenty-five-year-old Goosberry, a sailor of St. Catharine’s, Ontario, was mustered into Company E on July 16, 1863, just two days before the fateful assault on Fort Wagner. He was mustered out of service on August 20, 1865, at the disbanding of the regiment. Goosberry appears in this photograph wearing his uniform as a company musician. Explore More >

Private Richard Gomar

This photograph depicts Richard Gomar (also referred to as Richard Gomer and Richard Gomes), wearing the membership badge of the Grand Army of the Republic,… Explore More >

This photograph depicts Richard Gomar (also referred to as Richard Gomer and Richard Gomes), wearing the membership badge of the Grand Army of the Republic, circa 1880.  Gomar served as a Private within Company H. of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, the first Black regiment raised in the North during the Civil War. Explore More >

Henry A. Monroe, Musician

Henry A. Monroe was a musician in Company C, 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, the first regiment of African American soldiers raised by Massachusetts during the… Explore More >

Henry A. Monroe was a musician in Company C, 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, the first regiment of African American soldiers raised by Massachusetts during the Civil War. Although he claimed to be eighteen, Monroe was only thirteen when he enlisted on 26 February 1863.  Black men from the Northern states and Canada flocked to Massachusetts to join the 54th, although Company C had a large contingent of men, and some teenagers (including Monroe), from New… Explore More >

Private Charles H. Arnum

In November 1863, Charles H. Arnum enlisted in the 54th, serving in Company E, and mustered out in November 1865. After the war he… Explore More >

In November 1863, Charles H. Arnum enlisted in the 54th, serving in Company E, and mustered out in November 1865. After the war he returned home to North Adams, Massachusetts and married Lucinda Jones, the sister of a fellow member of the 54th, Henry Jones. Arnum ran a trucking business for over 40 years in North Adams. He became extremely active in his local branch of the Grand Army of the Republic, serving as… Explore More >

Gallery 2: Commissioned Officers of the 54th

The Officers of the 54th also came from differing backgrounds. Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and all other commissioned officers at the time of the unit's creation in 1863 were White. The officers typically came from families of privilege and wealth and generally had abolitionist leanings. Following a lengthy campaign to elevate Black enlisted officers into ranks of commissioned leadership, a select few, such as Stephen Swails and Peter Vogelsang, finally worked their way up the ranks after enlisting in 1863.

Colonel Robert Gould Shaw

After the Emancipation Proclamation and the subsequent call for Black regiments, Massachusetts Governor John Andrew offered the position of Colonel of the 54th Massachusetts to… Explore More >

After the Emancipation Proclamation and the subsequent call for Black regiments, Massachusetts Governor John Andrew offered the position of Colonel of the 54th Massachusetts to Robert Gould Shaw. While initially hesitant, he accepted the position in February 1863. The 54th Massachusetts, under Shaw’s stern discipline, became one of the best drilled and trained regiments in the U.S. Army. Believing the regiment could prove itself in battle, Shaw volunteered his regiment to lead the assault on… Explore More >

Captain Luis F. Emilio

Only 16 years old at the start of the Civil War, Luis F. Emilio lied about his age to enlist. He joined the 23rd Massachusetts and quickly… Explore More >

Only 16 years old at the start of the Civil War, Luis F. Emilio lied about his age to enlist. He joined the 23rd Massachusetts and quickly rose in the ranks. After the formation of the 54th Massachusetts, Emilio, due to his bravery in combat and abolitionist background, received a commission. Emilio fought with the regiment throughout the remainder of the war. Later in life, Emilio compiled a history of the 54th Massachusetts titled A Brave Black Regiment. Explore More >

Lieutenant Peter Vogelsang

Peter Vogelsang, born in 1815 in New York, enlisted in the 54th at the age of 44 in April 1863. By the time of his… Explore More >

Peter Vogelsang, born in 1815 in New York, enlisted in the 54th at the age of 44 in April 1863. By the time of his discharge in 1865, Vogelsang had been promoted to First Lieutenant of Company H, one of a few Black commissioned officers to serve during the Civil War. In New York after the War, he became a member of the local G.A.R. Post as well as the New York African Society for Mutual… Explore More >

Lieutenant Stephen A. Swails

Born in Pennsylvania in 1823 to freed parents from Maryland, Stephen Swails resettled with his family in Elmira New York. Following the formation of the… Explore More >

Born in Pennsylvania in 1823 to freed parents from Maryland, Stephen Swails resettled with his family in Elmira New York. Following the formation of the 54th Massachusetts, Swails enlisted in and joined the regiment at Camp Meigs. He saw action at the Battle of Fort Wagner and received a serious wound at the Battle of Olustee. Surviving his wound, Swails settled in South Carolina. Reconstruction provided Swails an opportunity to serve his community as a… Explore More >

Lieutenant William Lambert Whitney, Jr.

Whitney Jr. enlisted at age 21 while a student in Cambridge. He became a first Lieutenant for Company G of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment. Explore More >

Whitney Jr. enlisted at age 21 while a student in Cambridge. He became a first Lieutenant for Company G of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment. Explore More >

Browse and search the full collection of Faces of the 54th:

Isaiah Spriggs

Reverend Samuel Harrison

Sergeant Major John H. Wilson

Group shot, Officers of the 54th Mass. Colored

Sgt. William H. Carney

Interior of adjutant general’s office, Charleston, West Virginia

Sergeant Henry F. Steward

Private Charles A. Smith

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