The Old Flag Never Touched the Ground
by National Guard Rick Reeves
Title
The Old Flag Never Touched the Ground
Artist
National Guard Rick Reeves
Medium
Painting - Oil On Canvas
Description
Fort Wagner, South Carolina , 18 July 1863
The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment was recruited in the spring of 1863 by Governor John Andrew, who had secured the reluctant permission of the War Department to create a regiment of African-American soldiers. Regimental commander, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, requested the honor of leading the attack of Fort Wagner. Despite withering cannon and rifle fire, the men sustained their charge until they reached the top of the rampart. There, Colonel Shaw was mortally wounded. There also, Sergeant William Carney, who had earlier taken up the national colors when the color sergeant had been shot, planted the flag and fought off numerous attempts by the Confederates to capture it.
Uploaded
December 2nd, 2021
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