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A Celebrated Moment in the History of the Massachusetts National Guard

On this day in history, 16 July 1863, the 54th Massachusetts Regiment saw its first combat action on Saint James Island, South Carolina.

Four companies of the regiment comprising some two hundred men were on picket duty when they were attached by a superior Confederate force consisting of 5 Regiments of infantry, one battery of artillery and some cavalry.

The men of the 54th Massachusetts fought bravely during a delaying action which prevented the white Union regiment to their left, the 10th Connecticut, to safely withdraw from the engagement.

The 54th received high praise from their white rank and file counterparts as well as the union officer leadership.

Only two days later after marching all night in soaking rain without sleep the regiment arrived at Fort Wagner where they rested briefly in the hot sun without food or water only to lead the ill planned Union attack on to the well fortified confederate battery. 

The frontal assault left over two hundred of their number dead, wounded, or missing including their young commander Colonel Shaw who lay dead outside the Palmetto log walls of Battery Wagner. 

The bravery and courage displayed by the regiment was inspirational and forever changed the view of African Americans as soldier.

In this engagement Sergeant William Carney of Company C from New Bedford would be recognized for his bravery by being the first African American to earn the Medal of Honor for saving the Federal Colors while under withering fire despite being wounded several times.

Today the legacy of this famed fighting formation lives on in spirit through the men and women of the newly re-organized 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment.