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WHEELING -- The Ohio County Public Library's next Lunch With Books program will present "They All Become Heroes: 54th and 55th Massachusetts Infantry" with author Peter Chacalos.
The program will begin at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at the library in downtown Wheeling.
Soon after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, Gov. John Andrew, authorized by Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, began raising a "colored" regiment, the Fifty-Fourth Massachusetts Infantry. The Fifty-Fourth was the first African-American regiment raised in the northern states east of the Mississippi River for the defense of the Union. The Fifth-Fifth Massachusetts Infantry and Fifth Massachusetts Cavalry would soon follow.
Despite initial doubts, these men would prove themselves worthy soldiers, and they distinguished themselves during the final two years of the Civil War. "They All Became Heroes" will traces the raising of these hallowed regiments as well as their engagements and service during the war in a clear and concise manner.
The success of the Fifty-Fourth paved the way for approximately 180,000 African Americans to enlist and help bring the Civil War to a conclusion.