Bell Ringers

Bell Ringer: The Second Battle of Fort Wagner

The Second Battle of Fort Wagner

During a tour of the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial at the National Gallery of Art, Senior Curator of Photographs Sarah Greenough described the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry's role in the Second Battle of Fort Wagner in 1863. She also explained how the battle and the heroic actions of Sergeant William Carney were used for recruiting other African Americans in the Union Army.

Description

During a tour of the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial at the National Gallery of Art, Senior Curator of Photographs Sarah Greenough described the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry's role in the Second Battle of Fort Wagner in 1863. She also explained how the battle and the heroic actions of Sergeant William Carney were used for recruiting other African Americans in the Union Army.

Bell Ringer Assignment

  • What was Fort Wagner important for the Union Army?
  • Why did Colonel Shaw want the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment to lead the charge at the Battle of Fort Wagner?
  • What happened to Colonel Shaw during the battle?
  • Why was the flag important to the regiment during the battle?
  • What was Sergeant William Carney’s role in the battle?
  • How were the actions of William Carney and the 54th Infantry Regiment at the Battle of Fort Wagner used by the Union Army?

Additional Resources

Participants

    Vocabulary

    • 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment
    • Battle Of Fort Wagner
    • Flagbearer
    • Impenetrable
    • Medal Of Honor
    • Parapet
    • Sergeant William Carney
    • Union Army

    Topics

    U.S. History

    Grades

    Middle SchoolHigh School