Eli George Biddle, 1846 - 1940

54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment

Augustus Saint-Gaudens Memorial To Robert Gould Shaw & the Massachusetts 54th Regiment

Commissioned from the celebrated American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens in the early 1880s and dedicated as a monument in 1897, the Shaw Memorial has been acclaimed as the greatest American sculpture of the nineteenth century. The memorial commemorates the valor of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and the men of the Massachusetts Fifty-fourth Regiment, the first Civil War unit of African Americans enlisted in the North.

The Shaw Memorial commemorates the brave African-American regiment that fought "themselves" to "strike the blow" against slavery in the Civil War. The 54th became famous for its audacious attack on the heavily protected Fort Wagner, which guarded the port of Charleston, South Carolina. (National Gallery of Art)

National Gallery of Art

The passage is from a book entitled, Sweet Freedom's Song: My Country "Tis of Thee" and Democracy in America, By Robert J. Branham. The chapter talks about how my Great Great Grandfather enlisted in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment. © Oxford University Press, 2002

The Storming of Fort Wagner, the most famous battle fought by the 54th Massachusetts

The 54th Massachusetts Regiment was organized in March 1863 by the Governor of Massachusetts, John A. Andrew. Commanded by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, it sprang to life after the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation. Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton decided white officers would be in charge of all "colored" units, and Colonel Shaw was hand picked by Governor John A. Andrew. Governor Andrew also chose Norwood P. Hallowell as Lieutenant Colonel

The 54th trained at Camp Meigs in Readville near Boston. While there they received considerable moral support from abolitionists in Massachusetts including Ralph Waldo Emerson. Material support included warm clothing items, battle flags and $500 contributed for the equipping and training of a regimental band.

As it became evident that many more recruits were coming forward than were needed the medical exam for the 54th was described as "rigid and thorough" by the Massachusetts Surgeon-General. This resulted in what he described as the most "robust, strong and healthy set of men" ever mustered into service in the United States. Despite this, as was common in the Civil War, a few men died of disease prior to the 54th's departure from Camp Meigs.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

African American Civil War Memorial, Washington DC

At the center of a granite-paved plaza encircled on three sides by the Wall of Honor is the Spirit of Freedom sculpture. Unveiled on July 18, 1998, the sculpture stands ten feet tall and features uniformed black soldiers and a sailor poised to leave home. Women, children and elders on the cusp of the concave inner surface seek strength together. Designed by Ed Hamilton of Louisville, Kentucky, this is the first major art piece by a black sculptor to be placed on federal land anywhere in the District of Columbia.

In January 1999, the Civil War Memorial Museum opened to the public. Using photographs, documents and state of the art audio visual equipment, the museum helps visitors understand the African American's heroic and largely unknown struggle for freedom. The museum is located two blocks west of the Memorial in the historic Shaw neighborhood. To assist visitors, researchers, and descendants of USCT, the Museum also offers important educational and research tools. Copyright @ African American Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation and Museum

The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment was recruited in the spring of 1863 by Governor John Andrew, who had secured the reluctant permission of the War Department to create a regiment of African-American soldiers. Like all Massachusetts Civil War soldiers, the 54th's men were enlisted in the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. These Guardsmen would serve as a test case for many skeptical whites who believed that blacks could not be good soldiers. The battle that proved they could was fought on Morris Island, at the mouth of Charleston Harbor. Following three days of skirmishes and forced marches with little rest, and 24 hours with no food, the regimental commander, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, requested the perilous honor of leading the attack of Fort Wagner, a sand and palmetto log bastion. As night fell, 600 men of the 54th advanced with bayonets fixed. Despite withering cannon and rifle fire, the men sustained their charge until they reached the top of the rampart.

Fort Wagner, South Carolina -- July 18, 1863