History of the 54th Regiment

The abolitionist governor of Massachusetts, John A. Andrew, was instrumental in the formation of America’s first official full regiment of black troops. He tried for a long time to convince the federal government for the necessity and appropriateness of a black regiment but it wasn’t until January of 1863 that Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton authorized him to organize a colored regiment that was to last for three years.

In the first six weeks of recruitment, only 100 men signed up. Something had to be done. So Andrew contacted other abolitionists and supporters of the cause to act as recruiters throughout the nation. These included Frederick Douglass, William Wells Brown and Charles Lenox Remond. (p.8)

In the end, they were able to recruit over “1000 Negroes representing every state in the country, plus a quota from Canada.” There were even some men from Africa in the mix. They were sent to a camp in Readville, Massachusetts to be trained. In fact, so many men ended up being recruited that a second regiment, the Fifty-fifth was also formed.

Although most of the black men of the regiment, as well as other outspoken African Americans, were not to happy with the fact of only white commanding officers, Andrew realized that the success of the regiment was very important. If other black regiments were to be formed, he would need at least some support of the public in addition to simply having experienced officers (which, naturally, were mostly white).

The commanding officer of the whole regiment was chosen to be Robert Gould Shaw, who was at the time a captain in the Massachusetts Second Infantry. He was promoted to Colonel for this position. He “knew many of his friends would disapprove and that he faced ridicule and ostracism” but in the end he accept the command of the Fifty-fourth.

Governor Andrew arranged for a full public review on May 28^th in Boston. 100 police were there plus some more “in readiness, for it was not certain how Boston, liberty-loving though it was, would respond to the novel sight of Negroes in military dress.” (p.10)

But this was not going to be a problem. Thousands of people cheered as they past, “no such reception had been given to the preceding fifty-three Massachusetts regiments”, which also included two of Frederick Douglass’ sons. (p.11)

Some stats about the Massachusetts Fifty-fourth regiment:

287 of the 980 recruits had been former slaves

500 could read and

Over 300 could both read and write

46 trades and occupations were represented (mostly farmers)

Came from twenty-five states, including Washington DC, Canada and Africa

They were initially paid as military laborers, not soldiers

$10/month ($3 of which paid for clothing)

Whites got $13/month plus clothing

Initial reason for the pay difference was that the Militia Act, which allowed for blacks in the military, hadn’t actually considered the idea of blacks being fighting men, carrying weapons and such. They were supposed to be the “help.” (p.200)

The Massachusetts government agreed to make up the difference but the Fifty-fourth rejected it. They wanted to be paid in full from the national government as state soldiers just like everyone else. (p.201)

On June 15, 1864 Congress agreed to retroactively pay, equally, all black soldiers that had been free since April 19, 1861. This included clothing, rations, camp equipment, everything. (p.202)

References:

Quarles, Benjamin. The Negro in the Civil War., Russel & Russel, New York: 1968 (original 1953).

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