Having enjoyed the movie "Glory" immensely and spurred on by the fact that I had access as a Massachusetts resident to some primary sources, I endeavored to determine what had happened to the regiment after the assault on Fort Wagner which culminates the movie. My primary source was the book "A Brave Black Regiment" by Captain Luis F. Emilio. Captain Emilio was commander of Company E and participated in the Wagner assault. He joined the regiment in May 1863 and was with them until the regiment was mustered out in 1865.
Following the disastrous assault on Fort Wagner, the regiment settled in to participate in the 58 day siege which resulted finally in the evacuation of the fort by the Confederates. During this period the regiment performed duty as engineers while in the forefront of advancing the siege works against Fort Wagner. Additionally, they were selected to provide guards to guard some 100 Confederate officer prisoners housed in the area. The 54th was present when the Confederates finally evacuated the fort.
In January 1864 they joined the 2nd South Carolina, and the 3rd and 8th United States Colored Regiments as part of the Florida Expedition under General Seymour. The regiment was transported up the Saint John's River and marched 25 miles to Jacksonville, Florida. Colonel Hallowell, commander of the 54th, was appointed the Commandant of the City. One interesting note is that General Seymour utilized a "Light Brigade" consisting of the Massachusetts Cavalry Battalion, the 40th Massachusetts (Mounted) Infantry Regiment, and Elder's Horse Battery to precede the column and scout the area.
The Confederates in the area continued to withdraw in the face of Seymour's advance, gathering strength from units around the countryside. The Confederates under General Finegan made a stand near Olustee on 20 February 1864 in an area marked by acres of barren pine. The 54th was stationed as part of the reserve as the Union forces under Seymour advanced to the attack. Committed piecemeal, the Union forces were pinned and finally flanked by the more aggressive Rebels.
Realizing that further offensive action was suicidal, General Seymour ordered the reserve brigade up to cover his withdrawal. Moving quickly the colored regiments, the 54th MA and the 1st NC, filled the gap and forming line of battle held their ground while the scattered remnants of
Seymour's attack reformed behind them. Thus saved, Seymour's force was able to withdraw in relatively good order from the field. Although the Confederates did not pursue, General Seymour fell back towards his base at Jacksonville. During this withdrawal the 54th performed another interesting and somewhat extraordinary feat. When the locomotive pullingthe train loaded with wounded from the battle broke down, the men of the 54th attached ropes to the stricken train and pulled it some distance to safety.
Following the Florida expedition, the regiment was withdrawn in April 1864 back to Morris Island near Fort Wagner. They were now to participate in the siege of Charleston, SC. In an attempt to close the noose on the city, they were present on July 2nd during the attack on James Island which housed batteries supporting the city. The 54th attacked and closed to within 600 yards of the Rebel breastworks where they were pinned by fire. They were ordered to hold their position despite heat and temperatures reaching 110 degrees and suffered many casualties from heat exhaustion. During this attack, the 54th was supported by a rocket battery, name unknown.
To quote a member of the 54th, "the missiles, while they did no damage, served to frighten the enemy's artillery horses".
As the siege of Charleston continued, the 54th participated in several actions while assigned to the "Coast Division". In November 1864, they formed the rear guard at the Battle of Honey Hill. As the battle progressed, they held a key crossroad against the attack of flanking Confederate cavalry.
Their last major action occurred in April 1865 when they participated in Potter's Raid. This raid which was conceived by General Sherman, launched a "Provisional Division" led by General Edward Potter against a variety of industrial targets which had been isolated by Sherman's activities. The raid found and destroyed some $300,000.00 worth of locomotives, rolling stock and supplies. Shortly thereafter came word of an armistice and hostilities ceased. On July 11th orders were received that the 54th would be discharged and returned to Massachusetts.
Source:
The Brave Black Regiment: The History of the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1863-1865, Captain Luis F. Emilio 2nd ed., Wilson and Son, Boston, 1894.
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