- Also called:
- Second Assault on Morris Island
- Or:
- Battle of Fort Wagner, Morris Island
- Date:
- July 18, 1863
- Location:
- South Carolina
- Participants:
- Confederate States of America
- United States
- Context:
- American Civil War
- Key People:
- Robert Gould Shaw
Second Battle of Fort Wagner
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What was the Second Battle of Fort Wagner?
The Second Battle of Fort Wagner was an unsuccessful Union assault on Confederate-held Fort Wagner on Morris Island, South Carolina, on July 18, 1863. The 54th Massachusetts Infantry, a regiment of black federal troops, performed courageously, transforming the image of the African American soldier and aiding in the recruitment of additional African American soldiers.
The Union troops had to cross a shallow moat to get to the 750-foot wide fort. The soldiers of the 54th fought their way onto the fort’s parapet and held out for over an hour before retreating. The black regiment had over 50 percent casualties, including Colonel Shaw. Sgt. William H. Carney became the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor for his bravery at Fort Wagner.
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When and where did this battle take place?
The Second Battle of Fort Wagner occurred on July 18, 1863, on Morris Island, South Carolina, during the American Civil War. It followed an unsuccessful Union assault on the Confederate-held Fort Wagner on July 11, known as the First Battle of Fort Wagner.
The Second Battle of Fort Wagner is especially remembered for the courageous performance of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, a regiment of black federal troops. Despite heavy fire, the 54th fought its way onto the fort's parapet and held out for over an hour before retreating. The Union suffered 1,515 casualties out of 5,000, while the Confederacy had 174 casualties out of 1,800.
The valor of the soldiers led to increased recruitment of African Americans into the Union army. Sgt. William H. Carney received the Medal of Honor for his bravery at Fort Wagner, marking the first time an African American earned this award.
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Who fought in the Second Battle of Fort Wagner?
The Second Battle of Fort Wagner occurred on July 18, 1863, during the American Civil War. It involved an unsuccessful Union assault on Confederate-held Fort Wagner on Morris Island, South Carolina.
The battle is especially remembered for the courageous performance of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, a regiment of black federal troops. Despite facing heavy fire, the 54th fought its way onto the fort's parapet and held their position for over an hour before retreating. The regiment suffered over 50 percent casualties, including the death of their commander, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw.
Sergeant William H. Carney, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery at Fort Wagner, becoming the first African American to receive this high military honor.
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Why was Fort Wagner important during the Civil War?
Fort Wagner is significant because the Union's assault on the Confederate-held fort, though unsuccessful, showcased the bravery of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, a regiment of black federal troops. Despite skepticism about their combat abilities, the 54th's courageous performance transformed the image of African American soldiers and aided in the recruitment of additional black soldiers. Their valor helped shift Northern opinion in favor of freeing slaves. Although the 54th suffered heavy casualties, including the loss of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, their actions led to increased recognition and respect for African American soldiers, with Sgt. William H. Carney earning the Medal of Honor for his bravery.
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What role did the 54th Massachusetts Regiment play in this battle?
The 54th Massachusetts Infantry, a regiment of black federal troops under white officers, played a crucial role in the Second Battle of Fort Wagner. Despite skepticism about black soldiers' combat abilities, the 54th was assigned to lead the assault on Fort Wagner, seen as a critical chance to prove their valor.
The regiment bravely fought its way onto the fort's parapet, holding out for over an hour under heavy fire before retreating. The 54th suffered over 50% casualties, including the death of their commander, Col. Robert Gould Shaw. Sergeant William H. Carney, for his bravery at Fort Wagner, became the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor.
The courage displayed by the soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts transformed the image of the African American soldier, contributed to increased African American recruitment, and shifted Northern public opinion in favor of abolishing slavery.
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How did the outcome of the Second Battle of Fort Wagner impact the Civil War and the inclusion of African American soldiers?
The Second Battle of Fort Wagner, though a Union defeat, significantly impacted the Civil War. The courageous performance of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, a regiment of black federal troops, transformed the image of the African American soldier and aided in the recruitment of additional African American soldiers.
Despite skepticism among Northern whites about the ability of blacks to fulfill combat roles, the 54th Massachusetts, led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, proved their valor in the face of heavy fire. Although the regiment suffered heavy casualties, their bravery led to increased recruitment of African Americans into the Union army. Sergeant William H. Carney, for his bravery at Fort Wagner, became the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor. The battle helped swing Northern opinion in favor of freeing slaves.
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Second Battle of Fort Wagner, unsuccessful Union assault on July 18, 1863, during the American Civil War (1861–65) on Confederate-held Fort Wagner on Morris Island, South Carolina. An early assault on the fort on July 11 (the First Battle of Fort Wagner) had been just as unsuccessful. Despite the Union defeats, the second battle was especially noteworthy for the courageous performance of a regiment of black federal troops, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, that transformed the image of the African American soldier, aided in the recruitment of additional African American soldiers, and helped to swing Northern opinion in favor of freeing slaves. Its heroic actions were depicted in the 1989 film Glory.
Despite President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of 1862, there was no great enthusiasm among Northern whites for the abolition of slavery and widespread skepticism about the ability of blacks to fulfill combat roles. The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment was one of the first Union military units made up of black soldiers under white officers. Its recruitment had been a high-profile event, and its commander, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, hailed from a prominent Boston abolitionist family. The regiment’s assignment to lead the assault on Fort Wagner was thus seen as a crucial chance to prove that African Americans could fight for their own freedom.
On arriving at James Island on July 16, the 54th Massachusetts was attacked by a large force of Georgia infantry but repelled the assault, impressing commanding Union General A. H. Terry with their disciplined fire. The 54th moved toward Fort Wagner, on neighbouring Morris Island, the following day. The approach to Fort Wagner was a narrow strip of beach 180 feet (55 m) wide with the Atlantic to the east and a marsh to the west. Once on this beach, the Union troops had to cross a shallow moat surrounding the 750 foot- (685 m) wide fort, which was heavily fortified with mortars and other guns. The assault began at 7:45 PM, with a total of ten regiments engaged. The soldiers of the 54th, forming the spearhead of the attack, fought their way on to the fort’s parapet and held out there for over an hour under heavy fire before the attack was called off at around 10:00 PM and they were ordered to retreat. The black regiment had taken more than 50 percent casualties, with Colonel Shaw among those killed. The Confederate commander at Fort Wagner ordered the Union dead to be buried in a common grave, with Shaw among them, intending this as an insult. Shaw’s family in Boston, however, retorted that they regarded it as an honour.
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The soldiers were hailed for their valor, and the recruitment of African Americans into the Union army sharply increased as a result of the public recognition. Sgt. William H. Carney, for his bravery at Fort Wagner, became the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor, the country’s highest military award.
Losses: Confederate, 174 dead, wounded, or captured of 1,800; Union, 1,515 dead, wounded, or captured of 5,000.