The Samuel Harrison Society, in conjunction with the NAACP, Berkshire Country Branch, invites the public to a virtual birthday celebration of the Rev. Samuel Harrison s life at 7 p.m. Friday,
while many northern whites aren t willing to fight for the emancipation of black americans, free blacks and former slaves are more than willing to take up arms for their personal freedom and a union that will recognize them as equal under the law. for the 54th massachusetts regiment, fort wagner is more than just another battle. it s a long-awaited opportunity to prove to doubters in the south and the north that black soldiers are every bit the equal of white soldiers. finally, we get to show these rebels what we can do. african-americans wanted america to know that they wanted their freedom. they wanted to fight for their freedom because they wanted to say, we are men who stood up for our race. we deserve our freedom, and we deserve to have equal rights. gentlemen, it is with honor that we have been chosen
To lead this attack. the eyes of thousands will look upon your work tonight. now, i want you to prove yourselves men. i shall endeavor to do your father proud, sergeant major douglass. order arms! the massachusetts 54th, under the leadership of robert gould shaw, is the great experiment to demonstrate that african-americans could also fight successfully for their country in combat, without a sense of emotion, a sense of vengeance, but a sense of orderly command. fifty-fourth, attention! attention! battalion! forward! forward! march! a regiment of free black men attacking a fort in the cradle of the confederacy strikes at the heart of southern fears. double time, march! for jefferson davis rebel troops, who are losing the will to fight, a defeat at the hands of the 54th massachusetts would be the ultimate humiliation.