What was the 54th Regiment Massachusetts Infantry known for?
The 54th Regiment Massachusetts Infantry was a volunteer Union regiment organized in the American Civil War. Its members became known for their bravery and fierce fighting against Confederate forces.
What happened to the 54th after the Battle of Fort Wagner?
The 54th lost the battle at Fort Wagner, but they did a great deal of damage there. Confederate troops abandoned the fort soon afterward. For the next two years, the regiment participated in a series of successful siege operations in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
What does the statue of the 54th Marine Corps represent?
The statue, a three-dimensional bronze frieze, depicts Robert Gould Shaw and the men of the 54th as they marched heroically off to war. Above them floats an angel holding an olive branch, a symbol of peace, and a bouquet of poppies, a symbol of remembrance.
Why did the 54th get involved in the war?
The courage of the soldiers in the 54th convinced many politicians and Army officers of their value, prompting the further enlistment of black soldiers. Governor John A. Andrew of Massachusetts, an abolitionist, eagerly organized the creation of the regiment following the Emancipation Proclamation.
What happened to the 54th in the Battle of Fort Wagner?
The anticipation of another engagement was itching in the 54th’s collars. Just two days later, on July 18, 1863, the 54th was in the vanguard of the assault on Fort Wagner, overlooking Charleston Harbor. The battle was the bloodiest battle that the 54th witnessed, with a total of 270 casualties out of the 600 men in the regiment during the battle.
When did the 54th Massachusetts return to Boston?
The 54th Massachusetts returned to Boston in September 1865. On Memorial Day 1897, the sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens unveiled a memorial to the 54th Massachusetts at the same spot on the Boston Common where the regiment had begun its march to war 34 years before.