-
54 regiement is formed
The regiment was authorized in March 1863. by the govenor of massachusettes. it was all african american infantry aside from officers. -
Battle of fort wagner
olonel Shaw was killed, along with 29 of his men. 24 more later died of wounds, 15 were captured, 52 were missing in action and never accounted for, and 149 were wounded. for a total of 272 casualties. the attack was a failure though the regiement was widely acclaimed for theyre valor in the battle. -
Lt.col. Hooper
After Shaw's death at Fort Wagner, Colonel E. N. Hallowell took up the fight to get back full pay for the troops. His second in command, Lt. Col. Hooper, took command of the regiment on June 18, 1864 after Hallowell was granted permission to proceed North to press the claims of the regiment for equal pay in person. -
Equal payment
Congress took action and on September 28, 1864, the men of the 54th were paid from enlistment, most after 18 months of service.
The Congressional bill authorized equal and full pay to those enlisted troops who were free men as of April 1864..