[Vision2020] One Hundred Eleven Years Ago (May 23, 1900)

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the Army Times.

 

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On May 23, 1900 , Sgt. William Harvey Carney was awarded the Medal of Honor,
making him the first African American to earn the nation's highest award for
bravery. He fought with the Union Army's fabled C Company, 54th
Massachusetts Colored Infantry Regiment during the Civil War.

 

The 54th assaulted Fort Wagner, a Confederate outpost in South Caroli-na, on
July 18, 1863. During the battle, the 54th drove through cannon and rifle
fire to reach the top of the fort. While placing a U.S. flag on its parapet,
Carney suffered wounds to his legs, chest and right arm at the hands of the
Confederates, who were forcing back the 54th.

 

"Despite the seriousness of his injuries, Carney insisted on carrying the
colors as his unit retreated from the fort," according to "The Story of the
Noncommissioned Officer Corps" at the U.S. Army Center of Military History.
After Carney reached a field hospital, he collapsed holding the colors and
said "The old flag never touched the ground, boys," according to the
document. Carney later recovered and was discharged with some disabilities.
The regiment lost almost half of its 600 men trying to capture Fort Wagner.
The 54th, which formed in 1863, was an example for the Union's
African-American regiments and went on to serve in expeditions in Georgia
and Florida.

 

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Sergeant William Harvey Carney

 

Image_2.jpg

http://armytimes.va.newsmemory.com/newsmemvol2/virginia/armytimes/20110523/0
523_arm_dom_00_028_00.pdf.0/img/Image_2.jpg

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

 

Tom Hansen

Moscow, Idaho

 

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