The Assault on Fort Wagner (1863)

The Assault on Fort Wagner took place on July 18, 1863, during the American Civil War, near Charleston, South Carolina. Union forces, primarily composed of African American soldiers from the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, launched a daring attack on the heavily fortified Confederate stronghold. Despite courageous efforts, they faced fierce resistance and heavy casualties. Although the attack was not successful in capturing the fort, it demonstrated the bravery and fighting capabilities of African American troops, boosting their reputation and influencing future military strategies and attitudes toward Black soldiers in the Union Army.