Civil War's First Black Regiment Marker (New Bedford, Massachusetts)
Union
This historical marker is located at the site of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Plaza, which was dedicated to the African-American New Bedford soldiers who served in the war in February 1999. The marker was erected by the National Park Service as a part of the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, and marks the site of the first office to recruit African-American soldiers during the Civil War. 120 men enlisted in the building, and the first regiment of black soldiers to fight in the Civil War was formed. There is also a colorful mural nearby with scenes depicting the regiments' participation in the Civil War, in contrast with the black-and-white photographs displayed on the historical marker. The building no longer exists, but in its place is a small, round, urban plaza with a fountain in the center. There are plans for a prospective monument on the site.
Monument type:
Plaque
Artist:
Dedication Date:
36192-01-01
Address:
New Bedford
Bristol
Massachusetts
USA
Inscription:
Near this spot, in February 1863, a recruiting office opened to enlist men for the first black regiment authorized to fight for the Union cause. The men who volunteered here formed Company C of the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts. If captured, these recruits faced the prospect of execution or slavery. Yet by the end of the war more than 185,000 African Americans had volunteered for the Union Army and Navy.
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Conception Date:
Opening Date:
Material:
Plastic
Size:
m x m x m
Creator:
Cost / Value:
Erected by:
National Park Service
Funded by:
Publicly funded
Run by:
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
Indigenous Land
Organization/Curator:
Data Sources:
Read below for one of our contributor’s reflections on this monument