Massachusetts 54th Exhibit
Who Were The Massachusetts 54th
On the right is a picture of the Massachusetts 54th posing for a picture.
Training of the Massachusetts 54th
Facing Discrimination
On the right is Robert Gould Shaw, who said no one would take pay including himself.
Their Arrival in South Carolina
Their 1st Assignment in South Carolina
No Fighting Just Manual Labor for the Massachusetts 54th
Their 1st Battle Assignment on James Island
The Massachusetts 54th Volunteers for the Attack on Fort Wagner.
The Attack on Fort Wagner
The Massachusetts 54th charges the fort. Many are being shot by the cannons and mortars. Colonel Shaw orders his men to take cover in some nearby dunes. After waiting for a while to regroup Colonel Shaw gives the word as they charge over the dunes. They were funneled to the base of the fort where many were shot by the wall guards up above. Colonel Shaw charges up in an attempt to break through... but was shot dead. In anger at their fallen leader and friend the Massachusetts 54th charges up the wall to engage the men above. After clearing the wall they rush deeper into the fort, where Confederate cannons lie in wait. They get to them to find it is to late, the rebel cannons fire upon them.