In Recognition of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment -- Hon. William R. Keating

Floor Speech

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Established in 1863 as one of the first military units comprised of entirely African American soldiers to fight in the Civil War for the Union, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment will further be memorialized with the unveiling of a historic mural in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

While the declaration of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 provided an avenue for free black men to serve as soldiers, it remained the responsibility of state governors to raise regiments for federal service. Massachusetts Governor John A. Andrews became the first governor in the nation to authorize an all-African American voluntary infantry regiment. In three months' time, the regiment had grown to consist of over 1,000 enlisted volunteers from across the Commonwealth, united under the command of Robert Gould Shaw, a white officer. Included among the regiment's enlistees were none other than Charles and Lewis Douglass--two sons of the well-known writer and abolitionist, Frederick Douglass, as well as the first African American Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and one of New Bedford's most famous sons, Sergeant William H. Carney.

It was not long after its formation that the 54th Massachusetts Regiment earned the fighting recognition it had anticipated. Following a joyous parade and honorary celebration in the streets of Boston in May 1863, the regiment headed south to the hostile coast of South Carolina. By July 18, 1863, after several days of fighting on little sleep, food or water, the regiment prepared for an assault on Fort Wagner, which protected the Port of Charleston.

Tragically, due to a fatal miscalculation of the number of Confederate troops, the 54th Massachusetts Regiment saw over 280 of its men killed, wounded, or captured during the siege on Fort Wagner, including Colonel Shaw. However, not all was lost. It was during this battle that the severely wounded Sergeant William H. Carney saved the regiment's flag from being captured by Confederate troops. Upon his return to his regiment, he famously shouted, ``The Old Flag never touched the ground!'' For these heroic actions, Sergeant Carney became the first African American soldier awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

The courage, bravery, and dedication demonstrated by the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment over 150 years ago lives on in the pride of our community. Now, thanks to the partnership of the New Bedford Historical Society, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Artworks, and the New Bedford National Historical Park, residents of and visitors to the City of New Bedford will further celebrate the memory of Sergeant Carney and the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment with a mural depicting the gallant men of the Regiment in the exact spot where local New Bedford volunteers enlisted throughout the Civil War.

Mr. Speaker, it brings me great pleasure to recognize the unveiling of this historic mural and to call attention yet again to the bravery and dedication of the men who served in the 54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.

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