54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was one of the first African American regiments to serve in the American Civil War, formed in 1863. Commanded by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, the regiment fought valiantly for the Union, notably in the 1863 assault on Fort Wagner in South Carolina. Their bravery challenged stereotypes about Black soldiers and helped pave the way for greater acceptance of African Americans in the military. The 54th’s legacy symbolizes courage and the fight for equality, with their story highlighted in literature and film, most famously in the movie "Glory."