54th massachusetts biography sample
54th massachusetts biography sample pdf
Massachusetts history.
The 54th Massachusetts Infantry Origins
Early in February 1863, the abolitionist Governor John A. Andrew of Massachusetts issued the Civil War’s first call for Black soldiers. Massachusetts did not have many African American residents, but by the time 54th Infantry regiment headed off to training camp two weeks later more than 1,000 men had volunteered.
Many came from other states, such as New York, Indiana and Ohio; some even came from Canada.
54th massachusetts biography sample
One-quarter of the volunteers came from slave states and the Caribbean. Fathers and sons (some as young as 16) enlisted together. The most famous enlistees were Charles and Lewis Douglass, two sons of the abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
Did you know?
The 1989 movie “Glory” told the story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry. It won three Academy Awards.
Robert Shaw Chosen to Lead 54th Massachusetts Infantry
To lead the 54th Massachusetts, Governor Andrew chose a young white officer named Robert Gould Shaw.
Shaw’s parents were wealthy a