The Mass 54th Unit Exhibit Flyer
Braden Stropes B3
What is the Massachusetts 54th Unit?
The Massachusetts 54th Unit is the African American unit that paved the way for all other African American soldiers. All of the soldiers were volunteers that came from numerous places. Some were runaway slaves, some were educated book readers, and others just did whatever they could for work.
Colonel Robert Gould Shaw
These are some of the soldiers from the unit.
Fort Wagner
What did the Massachusetts 54th Unit do to make them Famous?
They were first used for nothing but manual labor but Colonel Robert Gould Shaw argued to get them into action. He finally managed to get them into a battle and they won. Later they were able to go to battle with the confederate soldiers at Fort Wagner. They led the charge and were defeated but their bravery became well known. Because of their actions African Americans were allowed to join the Union Army and fight.