Реферат: From Oppressed Slaves To Champion Soldiers Essay

However, Congress granted equal pay for all black soldiers in June of 1864. The most

famous black regiment would have to be the 54th Massachusetts. On February 16,

1863, a call for black soldiers was published in the columns of the Boston Journal. In

five days, twenty-five men were secured. Much of the larger number of recruits were

obtained through black organizations in the Boston area. This regiment was to be lead

by Colonel Robert Shaw. This regiment has gained great popularity over the last decade

with the release of the Oscar-winning film Glory.

The most widely known battle fought by African-Americans was the assault on Fort

Wagner, South Carolina, by the 54th Massachusetts on July 18, 1863. The 54th

volunteered to lead the assault on the strongly-fortified Confederate positions. It was a

suicide mission from the start. But if the black soldiers had any success in the attack,

all doubts would be lifted for they would have defeated all odds. “To this

Massachusetts Fifty-fourth was set the stupendous task to convince the white race

that colored troops would fight, and not only would they fight, but that they could be

made, in every sense of the word, soldiers” (Emilio 17).

Your success hangs on the general success. If the Union lives, it will live with equal

races. If divided, and you have done your duty, then you will stand upon the same

platform with the white race. Then make use of the offers Government has made you

for if you are not willing to fight your way up to office, you are not worthy of it. Put

yourselves under the starts and stripes, and fight yourselves to the marquee of a

general, and you shall come out with a sword! (Emilio 14).

The soldiers of the 54th scaled the fort’s parapet, and were only driven back after

brutal hand-to-hand combat. A monument of the 54th and its slain leader Colonel

Robert Shaw was installed in Boston May 31st, 1897. Black soldiers participated in

every major campaign of 1864-1865 except Sherman’s invasion of Georgia. The year

1864 was especially eventful for black troops.

On April 12, 1864, at Fort Pillow, Tennessee, Confederate General Nathan Bedford

Forrest led his 2,500 men against the Union-held fortification, occupied by 292 black

and 285 white soldiers. After driving the Union pickets and giving the garrison an