Lexi Strope

African American men that registered to fight for the Union Army after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Many Father’s and sons enlisted for the 54 th Regiment together such as Frederick Douglass and his two sons Charles and Lewis. William H. Carney fought in the 54 th Regiment and was the first black soldier to receive a Medal of Honor.

The assault on Fort Wagner was the battle that they became famous for, but they participated in other smaller battles leading up to it.

The main reason these men were fighting was for the end of slavery in the South. However, they were also fighting for equal citizenship rights for African Americans such as the right to vote, and hold an office position.

Col. Robert Gould Shaw of Massachusetts was the leader of the 54 th Regiment.