In the heat of the July 1863 Second Battle of Fort Wagner, the color guard was shot down. Before the flag touched the ground, Sgt. William H. Carney grabbed the flag and ran with it up to the palisades of the fort. His fellow troops followed him into battle, despite overwhelming enemy advantage. That act had a national impact.
William H. Carney’s devotion to the flag affected the entire Union. The nation began to respect African-American soldiers as fighting men.
Their attack was repulsed, but the valor they showed in that battle, and William H. Carney’s devotion to the flag, affected the entire Union. The nation began to respect African-American soldiers as fighting men, and the Army stepped up black recruiting. At the same time, the pride felt by African-Americans induced many to volunteer, providing the Union Army with needed manpower at a critical point in the war.
William H. Carney was born a slave, and is said to have escaped slavery in Norfolk, Virginia via the Underground Railroad. He and his other family members made their way to Massachusetts, and when war broke out Carney joined the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He was made a sergeant.
Carney revered the flag of the United States as a symbol of his freedom. He could not bear to see it treated with disrespect. He became immortalized in song, speeches, and memorials as the soldier who didn’t let the flag touch the ground. He also was the first African-American to receive the Medal Of Honor.
The Battle of Fort Wagner
Fort Wagner protected the southern approach to the Charleston Harbor, near Fort Sumter, South Carolina. It was protected by water on both sides. To reach the fort, Northern forces had to move up a long, narrow strip of beach exposed to the full view of Fort Wagner’s southern wall. At the end of the beach, the fort was surrounded by a moat criss-crossed with sharpened palmetto logs to deter and slow attackers.
It was up this beach that Sgt. Carney carried the flag. He had to cross the moat, clambering over the abatis while exposed to rifle fire. Inspired by his bravery, his fellow soldiers joined him in the attack. They were defeated by the heavy mortar and rifle fire from the fort, however, and retreated.
When the Union forces called a retreat, Sgt. Carney was among the Union troops. He ran back up to the fort and snatched the flag again, and brought it safely back to the Union line. He was gravely wounded twice during this sally, and had to be carried back to safety.
“Boys, I only did my duty. The old flag never touched the ground!”
As they brought him in, he handed the flag to another survivor of the battle. Reacting to the praise of his friends, he replied humbly, “Boys, I only did my duty. The old flag never touched the ground!”
Carney was discharged as a result of his wounds several months later, but he became famous for those words. He was the ‘good news’ story of the day, and was celebrated for his humility, devotion to duty, and respect for the flag.
William H. Carney – Speeches, Memorials, and a Hit Song
Sgt. Carney didn’t receive his Medal of Honor until 37 years after the battle, but there is no record that in this case the delay was due to racism. Many medals in that day were awarded long after the valorous acts that earned them, for black and white soldiers alike. Carney was certainly honored throughout his life, giving speeches to schools, veterans’ groups and civic organizations.
Thousands of Massachusetts schoolchildren heard him say, “This old flag never touched the ground.” When Sgt. Carney received the medal, his fame was renewed. The story inspired a hit song in a 1901 Broadway musical, “Shoo Fly Regiment.”
Sheet music for the hit song honoring Sgt. William H. Carney’s actions in the Battle of Fort Wagner
The song, “Boys the Old Flag Never Touched The Ground” was performed at events dedicated to Carney. It was a patriotic hit.
‘Twas the Blue against the Gray, Boys,
And he said to all around,
“I’ve only done my duty boys,
The old Flag never touch’d the ground.
“I’ve only done my duty boys,”
He said to all around,
“I’ve only done my duty boys,
It never touched the ground.
Medal Of Honor Citation
His citation reads: “When the color sergeant was shot down, this soldier grasped the flag, led the way to the parapet, and planted the colors thereon. When the troops fell back he brought off the flag, under a fierce fire in which he was twice severely wounded.”
Black History Month
This is the eighth in a series of articles in honor of Black History Month. For other installments in the series, please click here. Every day this month a new article will honor an American of African heritage who has made a significant contribution to American society. If there is any individual you would like to see honored, please send me his or her name and background information. Please use the email address I set up to receive stories about Christmas deployments, [email protected].
