<P> The service of the 54th Massachusetts, particularly their charge at Fort Wagner, soon became one of the most famous episodes of the war, interpreted through artwork, poetry and song . More recently, the 54th Massachusetts gained prominence in popular culture through the award - winning film Glory . </P> <P> General recruitment of African Americans for service in the Union Army was authorized by the Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Lincoln on January 1, 1863 . Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton accordingly instructed the Governor of Massachusetts, John A. Andrew, to begin raising regiments including "persons of African descent" on January 26, 1863 . Andrew selected Robert Gould Shaw to be the regiment's colonel and Norwood Penrose "Pen" Hallowell to be its lieutenant colonel . Like many officers of regiments of African - American troops, both Robert Gould Shaw and Hallowell were promoted several grades, both being captains at the time . The rest of the officers were evaluated by Shaw and Hallowell: these officers included Luis Emilio, and Garth Wilkinson "Wilkie" James, brother of Henry James and William James . Many of these officers were of abolitionist families and several were chosen by Governor Andrew himself . Lt. Col. Norwood Hallowell was joined by his younger brother Edward Needles Hallowell who commanded the 54th as a full colonel for the rest of the war after Shaw's death . Twenty - four of the 29 officers were veterans, but only six had been previously commissioned . </P> <P> The soldiers were recruited by black abolitionists like Frederick Douglass and Major Martin Robison Delany, M.D., and white abolitionists, including Shaw's parents . Lieutenant J. Appleton, the first white man commissioned in the regiment, posted a notice in the Boston Journal . Wendell Phillips and Edward L. Pierce spoke at a Joy Street Church recruiting rally, encouraging free blacks to enlist . About 100 people were actively involved in recruitment, including those from Joy Street Church and a group of individuals appointed by Governor Andrew to enlist black men for the 54th . Among those appointed was George E. Stephens, African - American military correspondent to the Weekly Anglo - African who recruited over 200 men in Philadelphia and would go on to serve as a First Sergeant in the 54th . </P> <P> The 54th trained at Camp Meigs in Readville near Boston . While there they received considerable moral support from abolitionists in Massachusetts, including Ralph Waldo Emerson . Material support included warm clothing items, battle flags and $500 contributed for the equipping and training of a regimental band . As it became evident that many more recruits were coming forward than were needed, the medical exam for the 54th was described as "rigid and thorough" by the Massachusetts Surgeon - General . This resulted in what he described as "a more robust, strong and healthy set of men were never mustered into the service of the United States ." Despite this, as was common in the Civil War, a few men died of disease prior to the 54th's departure from Camp Meigs . </P>

What led to the formation of the 54th massachusetts regiment