Black soldiers in the Civil War: in 1863, black soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts infantry proved that the U.S. Civil War was their fight too. (American History Play).CHARACTERS Narrators A-E A-E, AE above-elbow; see under amputation. Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War Abraham Lincoln, U.S. President William Seward William Seward can refer to:
Frederick Douglass, Abolitionist 54TH Massachusetts Infantry Robert Shaw Robert Shaw may refer to:
Norwood Hallowell, Colonel Lewis Douglass, Sergeant Preston Williams, Private James Henry James Henry is the name of:
George Stephens George Stephens (Liverpool, 13 December, 1813 — Copenhagen, 9 August, 1895) was an archeologist and philologist, who worked in Scandinavia, especially on interpreting runic inscriptions. Stephens studied at University College London. , Sergeant William H. Carney, Sergeant Edward D. Washington, Private Charles H. Arnum, Private James H. Wilkins, Sergeant A. P. Heichhold, Physician Names in red are leading roles. Paymaster * * Starred character is fictitious. SCENE 1 THE WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON, D.C. Narrator NARRATOR. A pleader who draws narrs serviens narrator, a sergeant at law. Fleta, 1. 2, c. 37. Obsolete. A: In July 1862, President Abraham Lincoln meets with Edwin Stanton, his Secretary of War, and William Seward, his Secretary of State. The Civil War, a battle between the Union and breakaway Confederate states, has been under way for more than a year. The Union Army is struggling. Edwin Stanton: I have those enlistment figures, Mr. President Mr. President can refer to:
Abraham Lincoln: Our young men believed that this would be a short, noble war, Mr. Stanton. I fear they have now seen the horrible truth and want no part of fighting. Stanton: What do you propose? Lincoln: A lightning bolt Lightning bolt may refer to
Stanton: The Negroes, I guess. Lincoln: What if we were to declare that all slaves in the rebel states are free? And what if we opened the door for free blacks in Northern states to join the fight? William Seward: Such a plan would change everything. Instead of a war to save the Union, we would now be fighting to free the slaves Free the Slaves is an international non-governmental organization and lobby group, established to campaign against the modern practice of slavery around the world. It is the U.S. sister-organization of Anti-Slavery International. . That should shake the Confederates right down to their boots. Lincoln: Perhaps Frederick Douglass will stop writing those fearsome letters to me. But in my eyes In My Eyes was a Boston straight edge band that spearheaded the 1997 youth crew revival along with Ten Yard Fight, Bane, The Trust, Fastbreak and Floorpunch. The band and its members were a part of the hot bed that was the Boston music scene in the late 90's and early 2000's. , this war is still about saving the Union. Narrator A: Douglass is a famous bolitionist [antislavery activist] and a former slave. Stanton: A lot of people wonder whether Negroes have the guts for battle, Mr. President. It won't be a popular decision, except among Douglass and other abolitionists. Lincoln: You think I'm worried about popularity? Narrator A: Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation Emancipation Proclamation, in U.S. history, the executive order abolishing slavery in the Confederate States of America. Desire for Such a Proclamation into law on January 1, 1863. Massachusetts becomes the first state to form an official black regiment--the 54th Massachusetts Infantry. SCENE 2 CAMP MEIGS, MASSACHUSETTS Narrator B: Only white officers are allowed to lead black units. Colonel Robert Shaw is chosen to command the 54th Massachusetts Infantry. On May 18, 1863, the men of the 54th complete their training. Two of Frederick Douglass's sons, Lewis and Charles, are among the recruits. Lewis Douglass: Hello, Pop! Looks like all those letters to President Lincoln finally paid off. We'll be fighting the rebels before long. Frederick Douglass: You aren't just battling the South, son. You're fighting for the freedom and rights of all Negroes in this land. Preston Williams: We're hoping to do our best, sir. Frederick Douglass: Our future is in your hands. White Americans will have trouble denying citizenship to a race that sheds blood to defend it. Robert Shaw: Mr. Douglass, it's a pleasure to meet you. What do you think of the 54th? Frederick Douglass: You're leading an army of liberation [freedom], Colonel. And I'm proud to contribute two sons to it. SCENE 3 MORRIS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA South Carolina, state of the SE United States. It is bordered by North Carolina (N), the Atlantic Ocean (SE), and Georgia (SW). Facts and Figures Area, 31,055 sq mi (80,432 sq km). Pop. (2000) 4,012,012, a 15. Narrator C: On July 18, 1863, the 54th Massachusetts leads the attack on Fort Wagner Fort Wagner (also called Battery Fort) was a fortification on Morris Island, South Carolina, that covered the southern approach to Charleston harbor. It was the site of two American Civil War battles in the campaign known as on Morris Island. Shaw: This is going to be a hot fight, Norwood. We'll be marching right into the Confederates' teeth. Norwood Hallowell: General Strong reports that our cannons have pounded the fort pretty hard. We can take the fort. James Henry Gooding: Excuse me, sirs. The men are wondering when we'll see some real action. Shaw: Two hours soon enough. Corporal? Get the men lined up. We will take the fort or die there. Gooding: Yes, sir! Narrator C: At 7:45 p.m., the 600 men of the 54th begin a 1,300-yard march to Fort Wagner. Shaw: Prove yourselves, men! Thousands are watching what we do here tonight. Gooding: Why is Colonel Shaw leading us into battle? He's supposed to be in the rear, where it's safer. William H. Carney: He isn't like most lily-livered [cowardly] officers. Williams: We're only 200 yards away. Why aren't the rebs firing? (The Confederate soldiers at Fort Wagner open fire.) Gooding: They're mowing us down! Lewis Douglass: The colonel's at the wall! Up and over, men! Give them the bayonet bayonet Short, sharp-edged, sometimes pointed weapon, designed for attachment to the muzzle of a firearm. According to tradition, it was developed in Bayonne, France, early in the 17th century and soon spread throughout Europe. ! Look out! Our flag's falling! Carney: I got it, Sarge sarge n. Informal Sergeant. sarge Noun Informal sergeant ! Never touched the ground! Shaw: Onward 54th! (Shaw is shot and killed.) Hallowell: Where are those blasted reinforcements? Fall back! Narrator C: The 54th is forced to retreat after brutal hand-to-hand fighting at the fort's walls. The regiment loses 281 men. But their courage under fire erases any doubts about the fighting abilities of black units. For his heroic protection of the flag, Sergeant Carney receives the Medal of Honor Medal of Honor highest American military decoration for wartime gallantry. [Am. Hist.: Misc.] See : Bravery . He is the first African-American to earn this top military award. SCENE 4 Narrator D: In August 1863, the paymaster of the 54th assembles the men. Gooding: Hey, Washington. How was artillery [large guns] practice? Edward Washington: Speak up, Gooding. You always forget that I'm hard of hearing. Paymaster: Payday, men! You're to receive $10 a month. Gooding: Are you kidding? We were promised $13! White soldiers get $13! Paymaster: I forgot. Minus a three-dollar clothing charge. Washington: What? Gooding: We're only to get $7 after the price we paid at Fort Wagner? That's an outrage! We've got families to support. George Stephens: Don't we rake up the same length of ground in the graveyard as a white soldier? Don't the bullets hit and kill us both the same? We've done a soldier's duty; why can't we have a soldier's pay? Paymaster: That's all I've got for you. Take it or leave it. Any man who wants his pay, step forward. Washington: What? (Washington steps forward so that he can hear better. Stephens pulls him back.) Stephens: We'll take no pay until the U.S. government gives us our due. Narrator D: The men of the 54th Massachusetts refuse pay until Congress corrects the inequity [unfairness] in 1864. From that point on, black soldiers receive the same pay as white soldiers. SCENE 5 OLUSTEE, FLORIDA Olustee is a town in Baker County, Florida, United States. Geography Olustee is located at (30.20389, -82.42889).GR1 External links
Narrator E: In January 1864, the 54th is transferred to Florida. On February 20, Union regiments, but not the 54th, fight Confederate forces in the battle of Olustee The Battle of Olustee or Battle of Ocean Pond was fought near Lake City, Florida, on February 20, 1864, during the American Civil War. It was the largest battle fought in Florida during the war. In February 1864, the commander of the Department of the South, Maj. Gen. . Charles Arnum: We're being held in reserve? How come those North Carolina North Carolina, state in the SE United States. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean (E), South Carolina and Georgia (S), Tennessee (W), and Virginia (N). Facts and Figures Area, 52,586 sq mi (136,198 sq km). Pop. guys get all the fun? Williams: You'll get your fun before this war is over. Hallowell: Form up! The Connecticut and North Carolina boys are up to their ears in rebels. We'll cover their retreat. Double time, march! Stephens: We'll set up a line on the left. Slow up the rebs so the North Carolina troops can get out of there. Lewis Douglass: Wilkins! Where are you going? James H. Wilkins: I hate waiting. Let's take the fight to them! Lewis Douglass: Get back here! We've got no support. Gooding: Ahh! My leg! I'm hit! Williams: Henry! We've got to get you our of here! Hallowell: Fall back! Gooding: Go! I'll follow if I can. A. P. Heichhold: Load the blacks into the ambulance first and get them to safety. Charles H. Arnum: Why, doc? Heichhold: The Confederates usually treat white prisoners well. But I've seen them butcher too many of our Negroes. I guess it makes the rebs crazy, seeing a man in uniform who they think is fir only to be a slave To Be A Slave is a novel by Julius Lester, illustrated by Tom Feelings. It explores what it was like to be a slave. . Narrator E: Henry Gooding is captured, and later dies at Andersonville prison camp, where conditions are cruel. A newspaper correspondent who witnesses the action at Olustee writes that the 54th "stood in the gap and saved the [Union brigade]." EPILOGUE "By April 1865, when the war ended, some 185,000 African-Americans had fought for the Union. They made up about 10 percent of the Union Army and Navy. The accomplishments of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry--especially its bravery at Fort Wagner--silenced many critics of black servicemen. Black soldiers' efforts and sacrifices in the Civil War helped set African-Americans on the long, halting march toward equality. Your Turn: WORD MATCH 1. abolitionist A. cowardly 2. artillery B. unfairness 3. lily-livered C. freedom 4. inequality D. antislavery activist 5. liberation E. large guns 1. D 2. E 3. A 4. B 5. C RELATED ARTICLE: TIME LINE: A FIGHT FOR FREEDOM 1850: There are more than 3 million slaves in the U.S., mostly in Southern states. Slaves make up approximately 14 percent of the nation's population. 1860: Abraham Lincoln, a known opponent of slavery, elected the nation's 16th President. In December, South Carolina becomes the first Southern state to withdraw from the U.S. 1861: On April 12, first shots of the Civil War are fired at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. Confederate soliders capture the fort the next day. 1863: President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, calling for freedom for slaves throughout the Confederacy Confederacy, name commonly given to the Confederate States of America (1861–65), the government established by the Southern states of the United States after their secession from the Union. . The proclamation is ignored in the South, and does not end slavery in Northern- border states. 1865: On April 9, General Robert E. Lee, the leader of the Confederate Army, surrenders to General Ulysses S. Grant, commander of the Union forces, at Appomattox Court House Appomattox Court House Former town, southern central Virginia, U.S., site of the surrender of Robert E. Lee to Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865, effectively ending the American Civil War. , Virginia. The Civil War is over. 1868: Three years after ratifying the 13th Amendment to the-U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery in-the U.S., the 14th Amendment is ratified, giving citizenship to all people born or naturalized nat·u·ral·ize v. nat·u·ral·ized, nat·u·ral·iz·ing, nat·u·ral·iz·es v.tr. 1. To grant full citizenship to (one of foreign birth). 2. To adopt (something foreign) into general use. as citizens in the U.S. |
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