Item contributed by Massachusetts Historical Society
While the 54th engaged in battle during the Siege of Fort Wagner, the 1st New York Engineers constructed new fortifications to support the siege.
Captain Luis Emilio of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment describes the work of the Engineers: “Throughout the whole siege the First New York Engineers held the post of honor. Their sapping brigades took the lead in the advance trench opening the ground, followed by fatigue details which widened the cut and threw up the enlarged cover. These workers were without arms, but were supported by the guard of the trenches. Upon this fatigue work with the engineers, the Fifty-fourth at once engaged.”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 of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1863-1865 (Boston: The Boston Book Company, 1864), 118.
About item:
Photograph by Haas & Peale, 1863, 9 cm x 15.5 cm.
From the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment photographs.
Photo. 72.79.
