On July 18, 1863, the 54th Massachusetts, an African-American infantry regiment during the American Civil War, and other units commanded by General Quincy A. Gillmore attacked Fort Wagner, which was located in Morris Island, South Carolina. Confederate forces at Fort Wagner, along with Fort Sumter, defended Charleston from Union forces that wanted to capture it.
Though the attack was unsuccessful, the 54th Massachusetts and other Union forces displayed incredible courage against insurmountable odds. Sergeant William Carney, a flag bearer with the 54th Massachusetts, planted the U.S. flag on top of the fort and brought it back to Union lines despite receiving multiple wounds. In 1900, he earned the Medal of Honor for this act of heroism during the battle.
Union forces suffered 1,515 casualties out of 5,000 that participated in the attack. The 54th Massachusetts suffered 42% casualties-270 of its forces were killed, wounded or captured out of 650. Confederate casualties were 174 out of a garrison of 1,800.
Fort Wagner was eventually abandoned by Confederates after sixty days of siege and shelling by Union forces. They evacuated the fort on September 7, 1863.
The Battle of Fort Wagner is depicted in the film Glory. The book Gate of Hell: Campaign for Charleston Harbor, 1863 is an in-depth look at the battle.
Michael Walsh is an Adult Services Librarian at the Will Library. He is currently reading The Authorized Biography of Tupac Shakur by Staci Robinson.