54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment is a regiment
of the Massachusetts Army National Guard. It is a descendent of the famous 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
.
, which preceded it and which fought in the American Civil War
.
The unit was reactivated on November 21, 2008 to serve as the Massachusetts National Guard
ceremonial unit to render military honors at funerals and state functions. It was also invited to march in President Barack Obama
's inaugural parade.
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
of the Massachusetts Army National Guard. It is a descendent of the famous 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
The 54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that saw extensive service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was one of the first official black units in the United States during the Civil War...
.
History
The 54th takes on the history of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
The 54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that saw extensive service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was one of the first official black units in the United States during the Civil War...
, which preceded it and which fought in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
The unit was reactivated on November 21, 2008 to serve as the Massachusetts National Guard
Massachusetts National Guard
The Massachusetts National Guard was founded as the Massachusetts Bay Colonial Militia on December 13, 1636, and contains the oldest units in the United States Army. It is currently headquartered in Milford, Massachusetts and commanded by Major General Joseph C...
ceremonial unit to render military honors at funerals and state functions. It was also invited to march in President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's inaugural parade.