African-American soldiers felt they had to prove their worth as human beings, not just as fighting men, when they charged into battle. The men of the 54th Mass particularily felt this pressure to perform, to be a credit to their race and their country.
They had their opportunity at an Confederate earthwork called Fort Wagner. The fort was part of the defense of Charleston, South Carolina. Although the battle of Fort Wagner was minor compared to the Civil War's major battles, it educated a nation about the valor and bravery of its black soldiers.
As they approached, the Confederates let loose volley after volley of musket-fire into the soldiers. Although men fell left and right, the bulk of the 54th managed to charge onto the parapets of the fort, climbing down into it to fight hand to hand. The 54th was able to hold its ground for an hour before finally being pushed back.
But even in the tumult, the 54th's gallantry showed. Sergeant William H. Carney, severely wounded, still managed to save the 54th's battle flag and kneel with it on the crest of the fort as the battle raged around him. When the attack ended, Carney carried the flag to safety, and eventually won a Congressional Medal of Honor for his efforts. He had fought, he said later, "to serve my country and my oppressed brothers."
