Service of the 54th

In this hand-written speech delivered on receipt of his Medal of Honor in 1900, Sergeant William H. Carney recalled his account of the Battle of Fort Wagner as… Explore More >

In this hand-written speech delivered on receipt of his Medal of Honor in 1900, Sergeant William H. Carney recalled his account of the Battle of Fort Wagner as a member of the 54th Regiment. Explore More >

This print shows US soldiers storming the walls of Fort Wagner on Morris Island, South Carolina, and engaging some Confederate soldiers in hand-to-hand combat. In… Explore More >

This print shows US soldiers storming the walls of Fort Wagner on Morris Island, South Carolina, and engaging some Confederate soldiers in hand-to-hand combat. In the decades following the July 18, 1863 battle, numerous prints that depicted the battle, including this one, became dispersed throughout the United States. Explore More >

This photograph depicts Carlos Lopez’s 1943 New Deal mural in the Recorder of Deeds Building in Washington D.C. It captures the 54th’s assault on Fort… Explore More >

This photograph depicts Carlos Lopez’s 1943 New Deal mural in the Recorder of Deeds Building in Washington D.C. It captures the 54th’s assault on Fort Wagner and the death of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw at the center of the piece. Explore More >

On September 7, 1863, United States forces, including the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, returned to Morris Island after the successful capture of Fort Wagner and Fort… Explore More >

On September 7, 1863, United States forces, including the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, returned to Morris Island after the successful capture of Fort Wagner and Fort Gregg. At this same site several months earlier, the 54th Massachusetts Regiment fought in the Second Battle of Fort Wagner. This battle catapulted this regiment to fame, proving the vital contributions of Black soldiers to the United States Army.  The soldiers spent some time here before the regiment continued south towards… Explore More >

Invented by Captain Robert Parker Parrot, the Parrot rifle was a muzzle-loading cannon used extensively by the Union in the Civil War. Named after Colonel Brayton,… Explore More >

Invented by Captain Robert Parker Parrot, the Parrot rifle was a muzzle-loading cannon used extensively by the Union in the Civil War. Named after Colonel Brayton, the Parrot rifle pictured here is a 300-pound gun used on Morris Island.1 This photograph is included in Captain Luis Emilio’s collection of photographs related to the regiment, now at the Massachusetts Historical Society.  1. Douglas Egerton, Thunder At the Gates: The Black Civil War Regiments That Redeemed America (Philadelphia, PA: Basic… Explore More >

A regiment of Black soldiers stand for a dress parade outside of Fort Wagner. Here is where the 54th Massachusetts proved themselves in the Second Battle… Explore More >

A regiment of Black soldiers stand for a dress parade outside of Fort Wagner. Here is where the 54th Massachusetts proved themselves in the Second Battle of Fort Wagner on July 10, 1863. While an unsuccessful attack and the Union suffered tremendous losses, this battle and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment’s role in it, inspired thousands of African Americans to enlist.  This photograph is included in Captain Luis Emilio’s collection of photographs related to the regiment, now at… Explore More >

Located on Morris Island, Fort Wagner (or Battery Wagner) guarded the front entrance of Charleston Harbor. In an attempt to gain control of Morris Island,… Explore More >

Located on Morris Island, Fort Wagner (or Battery Wagner) guarded the front entrance of Charleston Harbor. In an attempt to gain control of Morris Island, US General Gillmore ordered an assault on the heavily fortified Fort Wagner. Armed with fourteen cannons, this sand and earthen fortification provided protection against assaults on the city of Charleston.1 This photograph is included in Captain Luis Emilio’s collection of photographs related to the regiment, now at the Massachusetts Historical Society.  1. Douglas… Explore More >

The 54th Massachusetts Regiment camped in Beaufort for four days in the beginning of June 1863. Captain Luis Emilio described the town in his work… Explore More >

The 54th Massachusetts Regiment camped in Beaufort for four days in the beginning of June 1863. Captain Luis Emilio described the town in his work A Brave Black Regiment: “There were some fine old houses and gardens skirting the shell road running along the low bluffs, with churches, public buildings, and a spacious green.”1   This photograph of a “School Teacher Residence” is included in Captain Emilio’s collection of photographs related to the regiment, now… Explore More >

The 54th Massachusetts Regiment arrived in Beaufort, South Carolina on June 4, 1863. On June 6, this regiment marched through the streets of Beaufort. This… Explore More >

The 54th Massachusetts Regiment arrived in Beaufort, South Carolina on June 4, 1863. On June 6, this regiment marched through the streets of Beaufort. This may have been one of the streets they marched down or frequented during their time here. Captain Luis Emilio described how, “sandy streets” were “shaded with fine oaks.”1   The regiment only stayed in Beaufort for four days, camping at Thompson’s Plantation. While stationed here, the soldiers worked on fortifications before… Explore More >

Several regiments such as the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, camped in Beaufort on Port Royal Island, South Carolina. Here, these regiments, which included cavalry and artillery… Explore More >

Several regiments such as the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, camped in Beaufort on Port Royal Island, South Carolina. Here, these regiments, which included cavalry and artillery units, fortified the island facing Confederate territory.  This photograph is included in Captain Luis Emilio’s collection of photographs related to the regiment, now at the Massachusetts Historical Society. … Explore More >

The 1st New York Engineers served alongside the 54th Massachusetts Regiment throughout the Civil War. In the spring of 1863, this regiment served at Hilton… Explore More >

The 1st New York Engineers served alongside the 54th Massachusetts Regiment throughout the Civil War. In the spring of 1863, this regiment served at Hilton Head, near Beaufort, and Folly Island, South Carolina, preparing for fortifications on nearby Morris Island. During the Siege of Fort Wagner,  the 1st New York Engineers built trenches and fortifications.  This photograph is included in Captain Luis Emilio’s collection of photographs related to the regiment, now at the Massachusetts Historical Society. … Explore More >

As part of a US campaign into Florida, the 54th Massachusetts Regiment arrived in Jacksonville, Florida on February 6, 1864. Captain Luis Emilio described the… Explore More >

As part of a US campaign into Florida, the 54th Massachusetts Regiment arrived in Jacksonville, Florida on February 6, 1864. Captain Luis Emilio described the city as “looking much like a devastated Northern city, with its ruined gas-works, burned saw-mills, and warehouses.”1 This photograph is included in Captain Luis Emilio’s collection of photographs related to the regiment, now at the Massachusetts Historical Society.  1. Luis F. Emilio, A Brave Black Regiment: History of The Fifty-Fourth Regiment… Explore More >

In the fall of 1861, the United States Navy, commanded by Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont, won the Battle of Port Royal.1 This victory ultimately… Explore More >

In the fall of 1861, the United States Navy, commanded by Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont, won the Battle of Port Royal.1 This victory ultimately led to Beaufort, Hilton Head, and the surrounding areas to come under the control of the United States. According to the June 27, 1863 edition of the Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, Admiral Du Pont called for the creation of a “Naval Machine Shop in Station Creek, Near Hilton Head.” Here,… Explore More >

This photograph depicts Sam A. Cooley and his outfit in Port Royal, South Carolina. Cooley served as photographer for the Department of the South for… Explore More >

This photograph depicts Sam A. Cooley and his outfit in Port Royal, South Carolina. Cooley served as photographer for the Department of the South for the United States Army, headquartered in Hilton Head, Port Royal. Cooley and his outfit took photographs of buildings, camps, and forts during the Civil War in South Carolina, such as Port Royal and Beaufort, as well as those in Florida.   This photographer likely crossed paths with the 54th Massachusetts during the regiment’s… Explore More >

Dating back to 1798, the Beaufort Arsenal originally housed the Beaufort Volunteer Artillery. During the Civil War, the United States Army took over the Arsenal when… Explore More >

Dating back to 1798, the Beaufort Arsenal originally housed the Beaufort Volunteer Artillery. During the Civil War, the United States Army took over the Arsenal when it established nearby Hilton Head as the Headquarters of the Department of the South for the United States Army. US soldiers occupied the Arsenal throughout the War.  This photograph is included in Captain Luis Emilio’s collection of photographs related to the regiment, now at the Massachusetts Historical Society. The 54th Massachusetts… Explore More >