The Old Flag Never Touched The Ground - Campfires of the Afro American

[bigtree]

The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment was recruited in the spring of 1863 by Governor John Andrew, who had secured the reluctant permission of the War Department to create a regiment of African-American soldiers. Like all Massachusetts Civil War soldiers, the 54th's men were enlisted in the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. These Guardsmen would serve as a test case for many skeptical whites who believed that blacks could not be good soldiers. The battle that proved they could was fought on Morris Island, at the mouth of Charleston Harbor. Following three days of skirmishes and forced marches with little rest, and 24 hours with no food, the regimental commander, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, requested the perilous honor of leading the attack of Fort Wagner, a sand and palmetto log bastion. As night fell, 600 men of the 54th advanced with bayonets fixed. Despite withering cannon and rifle fire, the men sustained their charge until they reached the top of the rampart. There, Colonel Shaw was mortally wounded. There, also, Sergeant William Carney, who had earlier taken up the National Colors when the color sergeant had been shot, planted the flag and fought off numerous attempts by the Confederates to capture it. Without support, and faced with superior numbers and firepower, the 54th was forced to pull back. Despite two severe wounds, Sergeant Carney carried the colors to the rear. When praised for his bravery, he modestly replied, "I only did my duty; the old flag never touched the ground." Carney was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions, the first African-American to receive the award. The 54th Massachusetts suffered 270 casualties in the failed assault, but the greater message was not lost: some 180,000 African-American soldiers followed in the footsteps of these gallant Guardsmen, and proved that African-American soldiers could, indeed, fight heroically if given the opportunity. (http://www.bridgew.edu/HOBA/Carney.cfm)*

I have an old book called the Campfires of the Afro American. I scanned a few pages, most importantly the pages with the poem, The Old Flag Never Touched the Ground, which recounted Sergeant Carney's deeds.

Also included on the pages scanned is a poem under the heading, Preface, A Colored Veteran's Reverie.

Again the fires of soldier-life are kindled to my view,
And I recall the bloody strife that made our nation new,
When 'Camp Fires' of the Colored man, a book with title rare,
I read with pride, with pleasure scan, to learn our helpful share . . .


. . . and, so it goes.

I hope folks will take some time this Veterans Day and read the poems, remembering the bravery and honor of the soldiers who served in our nation's past, and the soldiers who are serving and sacrificing today.


Here it is. I hope you enjoy these poems from this fascinating book as much as I do:

Campfires of the Afro American
http://www.returningsoldiers.us/campfires.htm



http://journals.democraticunderground.com/bigtree

[lcordero2]

1. Check out the Harlem Hellfighters

From the account of one of the old vets, racism was so bad that the 369th fought under the French Flag in WW1

[BrotherBuzz]

2. Not just the 369th, the whole 93rd Division fought under French command during WWI

The all-black 93rd Division, a rag-tag outfit that was initially issued Civil War uniforms, were assigned to French command by General John Pershing during WWI. The French desperately needed fresh troops and Pershing was able to satisfy France's needs by getting rid of his own problem - black soldiers. The 93d Division turned in their American equipment and were issued French rifles, bayonets, helmets, packs, and other equipment of the French soldier. They were then organized, trained, and commanded as a French unit, the first unit in US history to serve under foreign command.

The 93nd division fought as part of the French army, where, ironically, they found acceptance, respect, and glory, eventually winning the Croix de Guerre, only to return to America and find Jim Crow laws alive and well.

During the second world war the 93rd division (Negro) unit patch was the blue Casque Adrien helmet (French Army helmet)

[Gman]

3. I'm sure you've seen the movie "Glory" about

the Massachusetts 54th

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097441/

[OzarkDem]

9. One of my favorite movies of all time

Great story, inspirational, great acting, too.

[La_Fourmi_Rouge]

4. Glory!

What a stirring tale!


Buffalo soldier, dreadlock rasta:
There was a buffalo soldier in the heart of america,
Stolen from africa, brought to america,
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival.

I mean it, when I analyze the stench -
To me it makes a lot of sense:
How the dreadlock rasta was the buffalo soldier,
And he was taken from africa, brought to america,
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival.

Said he was a buffalo soldier, dreadlock rasta -
Buffalo soldier in the heart of america.

If you know your history,
Then you would know where you coming from,
Then you wouldnt have to ask me,
Who the eck do I think I am.

Im just a buffalo soldier in the heart of america,
Stolen from africa, brought to america,
Said he was fighting on arrival, fighting for survival;
Said he was a buffalo soldier win the war for america

[lonestarnot]

5. K & R

[MadHound]

6. Lest we forget, African Americans fought in the Confederate Army also

I know, I know, I thought that was an odd thought when I first explored this issue. But their reasons for doing so, ranging from securing their freedom to love of country, are all valid. And while their service is frequently overlooked and ignored badly, since it simply doesn't fit into the neat and tidy portrait of the Civil War that modern history has constructed for us, that doesn't mean that their service was any less valiant or unworthy of remembrance.

This is a very good book on the issue, I would highly recommend it<http://www.amazon.com/Black-Confederates-Charles-Barrow/dp/1565549376>

[theHandpuppet]

7. Here's another great site with many links

http://www.blackcamisards.com/

[Coexist]

8. k&r

Happy Veterans Day
:patriot:

[bigtree]

10. family soldiers

slideshow: http://www.returningsoldiers.us/soldieranimi.htm

Diary of voyage from New Guinea to Manila
http://www.returningsoldiers.us/diarypg.htm

The Negro in World War II - (book scans)
http://www.returningsoldiers.us/bksrpg.htm

Memorabilia
http://www.returningsoldiers.us/mem.htm

[bigtree]

11. The President of the United States . . .

. . . in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to

CARNEY, WILLIAM H.

Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company C, 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry. Place and date: At Fort Wagner, S.C., 18 July 1863. Entered service at: New Bedford, Mass. Birth: Norfolk, Va. Date of issue: 23 May 1900.

Citation:

When the color sergeant was shot down, this soldier grasped the flag, led the way to the parapet, and planted the colors thereon. When the troops fell back he brought off the flag, under a fierce fire in which he was twice severely wounded.

[malaise]

12. Great post

Thanks. K&R

[texpatriot2004]

13. Kick it for the Veterans nm