“Glory” and the Black Soldiers Who Changed Civil War History

Glory, released in 1989, tells the story of an all African American military unit who turned the tides of Civil War history. It stars Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman and Matthew Broderick

Led by white officer, Colonel Robert Shaw, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, a unit of free African American volunteers led a suicide mission on Fort Wagner, a Confederate bastion in South Carolina.

Attacking Fort Wagner was like storming the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. It was an overwhelming, impossible mission that sent the bravest of men running. But the 54th Massachusetts Infantry didn’t back down when tasked to storm the bastion. Instead, they changed Civil War history forever. 

Unfortunately, Col. Shaw died early into the horrific battle and 256 soldiers were wounded, captured, or killed.

Photo by Boston Public Library on Unsplash

Lasting Effects on Civil War History

Although the fort didn’t fall that day, Civil War historian John David Smith offered his insight on the significance of the 54th’s bravery in an interview with Parade.

“One battle does not make a war, but the 54th’s famous assault at Battery Wagner gave Americans north and south, white and black, a clear message: Black men would fight, fight hard, and sacrifice their lives for the twin cause of freedom and the Union.”

If you’re interested in learning more about African American involvement in wars, you owe it yourself to learn about the Harlem Hellfighters of WWI, Tuskegee Airmen of WWII, and the protests and refusals of black involvement in the Vietnam War.

“Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on Brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights?”— Muhammad Ali on his Vietnam draft refusal