SgtMaj. Lewis Douglass

In the early stages of the American Civil War Lewis and Charles Douglass answered the call of their father, Frederick Douglass -- "Men of Color to Arms."

Prior to the war the Douglass' resided in Rochester, New York, but after Governor Andrews, of Massachusetts, authorized the organization of a regiment of soldiers of African descent, the Douglass brothers rushed to Massachusetts to join the regiment, later mustered as the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment - Volunteer. Lewis exemplified himself as a soldier and was appointed Sergeant Major of the regiment, the highest rank available to colored soldiers at that time.

Lewis served with the 54th Massachusetts during the ill-fated assault on Battery Wagner, in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina, on July 18, 1863. He was wounded but soon recovered.