This week in Black history

On this day, Sgt. William H. Carney became the first Black soldier to earn the Congressional Medal of Honor as a member of the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry. He suffered severe wounds as he retrieved the colors (regimental flag) after the color sergeant was killed during his unit's rush on Fort Wagner. Despite his grave injuries, Carney refused to relinquish the flag until he delivered it to the last surviving officer. Born in Norfolk, VA, in 1840, Carney was one of the 27 who joined the 54th Massachusetts Infantry in New Bedford once the Civil War formed Black Army units. Carney later was honorably discharged from the Army because of disabilities. He went on to work many different jobs, including a messenger to the State House in Boston where he suffered an elevator accident that led to his death on Dec. 9, 1908. In recognition, the governor ordered that the flag be flown at half mast in tribute, an act usually reserved for presidents, governors and senators.

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July 18, 1998--

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The African-American Civil War Soldiers Memorial was dedicated on this day in Washington, D.C. The sculpture stands 10 feet tall and features uniformed Black soldiers and a sailor poised to leave home. It was designed by Ed Hamilton of Louisville, KY, and was the first major art piece by a Black sculptor to be placed on federal land anywhere in the District of Columbia. The Wall of Honor lists the names of 209,145 United States Colored Troops (USCT) who served in the Civil War. The names also include the 7,000 White officers who served with USCT.