What was the 54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry?
The 54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that saw extensive service in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
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.
What happened to the 54th Massachusetts at Fort Wagner?
During the latter engagement, the 54th Massachusetts, with other Union regiments, executed a frontal assault against Fort Wagner and suffered casualties of 20 killed, 125 wounded, and 102 missing (primarily presumed dead)—roughly 40 percent of the unit’s numbers at that time. Col. Robert G. Shaw was killed on the parapet of Fort Wagner.
What happened to the 54th Massachusetts in the Battle of James Island?
The 54th Massachusetts had only recently returned from James Island, after a difficult withdrawal during which they spent two days without food. They returned to the main Union force late on the afternoon of July 18 and the tired and hungry men were immediately placed in the vanguard of the assault force of 4,000 men.
When was the 54th Regiment memorial dedicated?
On May 31, 1897—Memorial Day—a grand ceremony was held on the Boston Common as the Robert Gould Shaw and 54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial was dedicated. In attendance were the last surviving of members of the original 54th Regiment, as well as Norwood Penrose Hallowell and Richard P. Hallowell.
Who is responsible for the ’54th Massachusetts Regiment‘ vandalism?
It is not clear who was responsible for the vandalism seen in the meme. The second image in the meme labeled as the “54th Massachusetts Regiment” is in fact available via the Library of Congress, where it bears the description, “District of Columbia. Company E, 4th U.S. Colored Infantry, at Fort Lincoln”: