NSRTC Black History Month Tributes

The North Salem Republican Town Committee honors Black History month.  During the Civil War, blacks originally were not allowed to serve in the Union Army.  Abolitionists argued that African-Americans should be able to join the fight for their freedom.  After the Emanicipation Proclamation, Massachussetts Governor John A. Andrew issued the call for African-Americans to serve in the Civil War.  "The 54th Regiment Massachusetts Infantry was a volunteer Union regiment organized in the American Civil War. Its members became known for their bravery and fierce fighting against Confederate forces. It was the second all-Black Union regiment to fight in the war, after the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Regiment" (History.com).  Colonel Robert Gould Shaw was chosen to lead the 54th Infantry, and the soldiers fought for honor and found glory.  To learn more about the 54th Massachussetts Infantry, watch the historically accurate movie about them named Glory on Netflix.  You can also view a summary here at, https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/the-54th-massachusett…