Through a federal Teaching American History grant awarded to the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District, the Amherst History Museum is partnering with the Regional School District to offer a Civil War Encampment experience on the grounds of the museum in late September.  The full experience including overnight stays is designed for educators, but on Saturday September 24th the public is invited to attend the encampment which will center on the experience of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry and a wide range of activities related to the Amherst home front during the Civil War.  Re-enactors will depict the soldiers of the 54th, including direct descendents of Eli Biddle and residents of Amherst.   at left, Michael Coblyn & sons, direct descendants of Eli Biddle

The Museum grounds and house will be open to the public from 10-4.  The Museum galleries will showcase exhibits detailing the stories of Amherst residents' involvement in the war.

The feature film "Glory" recognized the African-American soldiers of the Massachusetts 54th Colored Infantry, the first officially sanctioned regiment of northern black soldiers in the Civil War.  At the outbreak of war, African-American men were determined to fight for the abolition of slavery and the extension of full citizenship rights. When the Massachusetts 54th was formed under the command of 26-year-old Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, it included shopkeepers, musicians, clerks, cobblers, seamen and other skilled laborers anxious to fight for freedom. Frederick Douglass's two sons joined the unit, as did Sojourner Truth's grandson and eleven men from Amherst.

After recruitment and training, the unit was sent to Hilton Head, South Carolina.  It was there that their actions proved their competence.  On July 18, the troops were ordered to lead the attack at Fort Wagner.  They charged ahead as they were bombarded by gunfire from Confederate soldiers.  Casualties were high, and by the end of the battle, 250 troops had died, including Shaw.  While the attack was unsuccessful, this battle brought them recognition.

After Shaw's death, Edward N. Hallowell from Medford, Massachusetts became the new commander.  The regiment participated in other battles in Charleston during the rest of 1863. In February 1864, the regiment was assigned to help the forces in Jacksonville, Florida.  From Jacksonville they went on to the battle of Olustee where their assistance was in great need.  The 54th, along with the 35th United States Colored Troops, helped the Union regiments on the front line.  

In addition to the 54th's participation in several battles, it was equally notable that even though they were paid less than white soldiers, they remained steadfast in their commitment.  They did their best despite the inequality that existed.  Little did the 54th know that while they fought in Olustee, Congress was busy passing a bill, which guaranteed equal pay for black soldiers.  At the time, black soldiers were paid $7 a month while white soldiers were paid $10 a month.  This was soon changed with the passage of the congressional bill.

The 54th Infantry surprised its critics as they proved to be a strong force against Confederate troops.  They received praise for their courage and bravery and became a vital part of the Civil War.  Even today, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry is the most recognized African American Civil War regiment.

Twenty-six black soldiers would serve in the Civil War on Amherst’s behalf—at least twelve were Amherst residents.  Family groups from Amherst and neighboring towns enlisted—all of the Jackson brothers (Jarvis, Sanford, and Windsor), five Thompsons (three brothers, two with their sons), three Jennings (a father and two of his sons), two Champlin brothers, and many others.  Five of Amherst’s black soldiers gave their "last full measure of devotion" to freedom.  Sanford was in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry along with William Jennings and nine others from Amherst and nearby towns.  Wounded during the assault on Fort Wagner in South Carolina, Sanford died September 13, 1863 in a nearby military hospital, and was buried nearby.

Sanford’s brothers Jarvis and Windsor Jackson were in the 5th Massachusetts Cavalry.  Surviving the war, their company was sent to Texas to discourage a late Confederate invasion from Mexico.  Jarvis died there on September 30, 1865, of malaria, one month before the company was to be demobilized and sent home.

Jarvis Jackson is buried together in West Cemetery in a single plot with fellow black Civil War comrades-at-arms, Jason Champlin and Henry Thompson.

We invite you to join us on September 24th to learn more about the heroic 54th Massachusetts Infantry and life in Amherst during the years of the Civil War.