Fort Wagner, South Carolina
On July 16, 1863 on Morris Island, South Carolina, the Fifty-fourth Regiment was sent into battle. Then on July 18th, after several days with little sleep, food and water, the regiment was instructed to lead the attack against Fort Wagner on Morris Island.
This was a disastrous assault led by Colonel Shaw, and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment lost their commander, and half the men were killed, wounded, or missing.
This was a disastrous assault led by Colonel Shaw, and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment lost their commander, and half the men were killed, wounded, or missing.