notable USCT

"Medal of Honor Recipient Andrew J. Smith." Credit: Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Even though the service and sacrifice of all USCT plainly demonstrates their courage and bravery, a few USCT were distinguished for their service through notable deeds. Some of these actions, so honorable in nature, were recognized with a Medal of Honor. In fact, during the Civil War, 25 USCT would receive this high distinction (Congressional Medal of Honor Society, 2020).

The soldier who will forever be remembered as the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor is Sergeant William Carney. Born into slavery in 1840 in Virginia, Carney's family was finally freed and travelled to Massachusetts (Lange, 2017). Per U.S. Department of Defense, even though Black individuals were barred from learning to read and write, Carney—anxious to advance his education—"secretly got involved in academics." Though Carney considered working in the church, the eruption of the Civil War caused him to change his career goals, and he "decided the best way he could serve God was by serving in the military to help free the oppressed" (Lange, 2017).

In March 1863—just months after the Emancipation Proclamation—Carney enlisted in the first official Black regiment for the Union: the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry Regiment. Interestingly, of the 40 other Black men who served alongside Carney, two of them were Frederick Douglass's sons (Lange, 2017).

Carney and the other members of the 54th Massachusetts soon had a chance to test their mettle at the famed Battle of Fort Wagner. In fact, "On July 18, 1863, the soldiers of Carney's regiment led the charge on Fort Wagner. During the battle, the unit's color guard was shot. Carney, who was just a few feet away, saw the dying man stumble, and he scrambled to catch the falling flag" (Lange, 2017). Though Carney had been wounded multiple times, he continued to hold the American flag high until he could plant "the flag in the sand at the base of the fort and [he] held it upright until his near-lifeless body was rescued" (Lange, 2017).

While many individuals who had been severely wounded would have gratefully handed over the flag, Carney refused to do so, even "holding onto it tighter until, with assistance, he made it to the Union's temporary barracks" (Lange, 2017). Carney, for his actions, was promoted to sergeant—in 1900, he was awarded the Medal of Honor (Lange, 2017). The role of the 54th Massachusetts at Fort Wagner was so important that it was even depicted in one of the most famous Civil War films, Glory (American Battlefield Trust, n.d.).

Numerous battles of the Civil War allowed USCT to distinguish themselves as formidable fighters. Perhaps one of the most important engagements for USCT was the Battle of New Market Heights. A USCT participating in the battle, Sergeant Major Christian A. Fleetwood (4th USCI), wrote in his diary, "Charged with the 6th at daylight and got used up…saved colors" (Sicher, 2018). Fleetwood's brief description is a large understatement, since the September 29, 1864, battle occurred when "several regiments of United States Colored Troops launched an assault on a well-fortified Southern position at the gates of the Confederate capital" (Sicher, 2018).

The role of USCT at New Market Heights was recognized even by Confederates. One Rebel soldier said, "upon 29th September, Richmond came nearer to being captured, and that, too, by negro troops, than it ever did during the whole war" (Sicher, 2018). After the Battle of New Market Heights, there were more than 800 casualties, with 130 individuals dead (Sicher, 2018).

Because of the bravery of Black Union troops, "14 black soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor, the U.S. military’s highest decoration for acts of valor in combat. These men represent the largest group of African-Americans from a single battle to be so recognized" (Sicher, 2018). The men who received the Medal of Honor were as follows: "William H. Barnes, Powhatan Beaty, James H. Bronson, Christian A. Fleetwood, James Gardiner, James H. Harris, Thomas R. Hawkins, Alfred B. Hilton, Milton M. Holland, Miles James, Alexander Kelly, Robert A. Pinn, Edward Ratcliff, and Charles Veal" (Sicher, 2018).

"In this photograph, taken in 1865, Christian Fleetwood (fourth from the right) stands alongside the officers of the 4th USCT. Fleetwood can be seen wearing his Medal of Honor." Credit: Library of Congress (image description from American Battlefield Trust)

Not every USCT received a Medal of Honor. In fact, against the backdrop of how many African American men donned Union uniforms, the number of Medal of Honor winners is relatively low. Sadly, not all USCT would even be alive to be decorated with their medal.

In fact, Andrew J. Smith (top left), of the 55th Massachusetts, was awarded his Medal of Honor twenty years ago, in 2001 (Dobak, 2011). Even though Smith was not alive to receive his award, it stands as a testament to the courage of USCT. A USCT statue—placed in Franklin, Tennessee, in October of 2021—does much the same. It is a way to actively educate modern individuals about the role of USCT during the war.

While it is true that not every USCT was decorated with a Medal of Honor, MCHE has come to realize that nearly every USCT earned it. Not only were USCT fighting gray-clad Confederates, but they also were combating racism...even within their own army and country. Though USCT could have refused to protect and defend the Union—a country that did not view them as full equals—they still chose to fight and sacrifice. Some USCT would be called to provide the ultimate sacrifice, their very lives, in this quest for freedom. For that, every USCT (even those shrouded in mystery and lost in history's annals forever) deserves to be remembered. And honored.

"Powhatan Beaty, pictured wearing his Medal of Honor." Credit: Library of Congress (image description from American Battlefield Trust)