31:
424:
748:
607:
515:
634:
233:
141:
943:
410:
265:
was killed, Carney retrieved the U.S. flag and marched forward with it, despite serious wounds. When the Union troops were forced to retreat under fire, he struggled back across the battlefield (he was shot in both his right arm and leg as well as his chest, with the last shot fired barely hitting
293:
Carney received his Medal of Honor on May 23, 1900, nearly 37 years after the events at Fort Wagner (more than half of such awards from the Civil War were presented 20 or more years after the fact). Twenty
African American men received the medal before him, but because his battle actions happened
199:
in 1863. The action for which he received the Medal of Honor preceded that of any other
African American Medal of Honor recipient; however, his medal was actually one of the last to be awarded for Civil War service. Some African Americans received the Medal of Honor as early as April 1865.
298:
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
914:"The 54th Massachusetts Regiment is Honored in "Tell It with Pride" Exhibition to Mark the 150th Anniversary Year of the Battle of Fort Wagner, National Gallery of Art, September 15, 2013–January 20, 2014"
266:
his head), and, eventually returning to his own lines and turning over the colors to another survivor of the 54th, saying, "Boys, I only did my duty; the old flag never touched the ground!" He received an
328:
Carney died at the Boston City
Hospital on December 9, 1908, of complications from an elevator accident at the Massachusetts State House, where he worked for the Department of State. His body
444:
1049:
314:, the most junior Captain of the 54th who had been left in charge during the attack on Battery Wagner by the deaths or wounding of all of his superiors, in his 1891 book
332:
for one day at the undertaking rooms of Walden Banks, 142 Lenox Street, at the wish of his wife and daughter. He was buried in the family plot at Oak Grove
Cemetery in
282:, and took a job maintaining the city's streetlights. He then delivered mail for thirty-two years. He was a founding vice president of the New Bedford Branch 18 of the
1074:
1094:
1084:
1044:
365:
1069:
1059:
580:
1064:
145:
781:
1089:
438:
304:
386:'s "Strong Men & Women in Virginia History" because of his actions during the Civil War. Carney's regiment is represented in the
376:
283:
192:
947:
1054:
668:
242:
320:
It is due, however, to the following-named enlisted men that they be recorded above their fellows for especial merit: Sgt.
1099:
357:
216:, on February 29, 1840. How he made his way to freedom is not certain. According to most accounts, he escaped through the
731:
718:
There's Always Work at the Post Office: African
American Postal Workers and the Fight for Jobs, Justice, and Equality
583:, By Katie Lange, DoD News, Defense Media Activity, February 10, 2017, official website of the United States Army.
249:
due to his heroism and actions during the battle of Fort Wagner. He took part in the July 18, 1863, assault on
993:
555:
294:
earlier than the others, some have incorrectly cited him as the first to receive the medal. His citation reads
209:
805:
A Brave Black
Regiment: The History of the Fifty-Fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1863–1865
962:
1079:
353:
196:
160:
684:
286:, in 1890. He married Susannah Williams, and they had a daughter, Clara Heronia. He spent a few years in
892:"Strong Men & Women in Virginia History: William Harvey Carney (February 29, 1840–December 9, 1908)"
387:
345:
333:
279:
254:
92:
70:
749:"Glory at Battery Wagner: William H. Carney became the First Black Soldier to earn the Medal of Honor"
30:
891:
429:
471:
Glory at
Battery Wagner: William H. Carney became the First Black Soldier to earn the Medal of Honor
1009:
817:
449:
723:
484:
395:
303:
In 1901, shortly after his medal was awarded, a song was published about his daring exploits: "
1039:
1034:
391:
369:
217:
8:
977:
877:
383:
361:
321:
267:
661:
Two
Miserable Presidents: The Amazing, Terrible, and Totally True Story of the Civil War
224:. Other members of their family were freed by purchase or by the death of their master.
184:
155:
105:
773:
727:
716:
664:
349:
213:
53:
994:"Sergeant Carney's Flag: The True Story of the First Black Medal of Honor recipient"
415:
379:, atop a monument to African American Civil War and Spanish American War veterans.
711:
329:
857:
831:
663:(This Square Fish Edition: 2015 ed.). New York: Square Fish. p. 161.
656:
311:
258:
188:
172:
232:
1028:
581:
Meet Sgt. William Carney: The first
African-American Medal of Honor recipient
221:
140:
954:
558:. The Center for African American Genealogical Research, Inc. Archived from
913:
183:(February 29, 1840 – December 9, 1908) was an American soldier during the
388:
Memorial to Robert Gould Shaw and the
Massachusetts Fifty-Fourth Regiment
262:
250:
858:"African American Medal of Honor Recipients Memorial Historical Marker"
287:
109:
375:
Sgt. Carney's statue is also prominently featured in his hometown at
559:
246:
128:
635:"First African-American Medal of Honor Recipient Safeguarded Flag"
592:
Hold the Flag High, by Catherine Clinton. Harper Collins, 2004>
942:
336:. Engraved on his tombstone is an image of the Medal of Honor.
510:
508:
506:
504:
502:
500:
498:
978:"Congressional Medal of Honor Society: William Harvey Carney"
686:
Massachusetts soldiers, sailors, and marines in the civil war
602:
600:
598:
495:
595:
445:
List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A–F
35:
Carney, wearing the Medal of Honor he received in 1900.
405:
82:
Oak Grove Cemetery, New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S.
1050:
American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor
366:
African-American Medal of Honor Recipients Memorial
836:Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System
715:
1075:People of Massachusetts in the American Civil War
1095:20th-century African-American military personnel
1026:
270:due to disability from his wounds in June 1864.
722:. University of North Carolina Press. pp.
689:. Norwood, MA: Norwood Press. 1931. p. 670
655:
257:. His actions there ultimately earned him the
146:54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
782:United States Army Center of Military History
1085:United States Army Medal of Honor recipients
633:Marshall Jr., Tyrone C. (19 February 2013).
632:
1045:African Americans in the American Civil War
1010:"Listen to Episode 57: But Who's Counting"
473:. Civil War Times. pp. 48 (3): 36–39.
439:Boys The Old Flag Never Touched The Ground
382:In 2015, Carney was honored as one of the
305:Boys the Old Flag Never Touched the Ground
29:
1070:Military personnel from Norfolk, Virginia
1060:19th-century American military personnel
549:
547:
545:
543:
541:
278:After his discharge, Carney returned to
245:in March 1863 and was later promoted to
231:
191:in 1900 for his gallantry in saving the
706:
704:
649:
377:West Point Cemetery (Norfolk, Virginia)
284:National Association of Letter Carriers
1065:People from New Bedford, Massachusetts
1027:
980:. Congressional Medal of Honor Society
824:
802:
838:. Massachusetts Historical Commission
766:
746:
710:
538:
489:Medal of Honor Recipients (U.S. Army)
468:
243:54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
701:
574:
358:National Register of Historic Places
356:at 128 Mill Street is listed on the
208:William Harvey Carney was born as a
187:. Born enslaved, he was awarded the
1012:. The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe
906:
884:
612:Notable Black American Men, Book II
556:"William Harvey Carney (1840–1908)"
13:
1090:Accidental deaths in Massachusetts
807:. Boston: The Boston Book Company.
553:
14:
1111:
935:
878:"West Point Cemetery, Norfolk VA"
941:
422:
408:
139:
870:
850:
832:"Carney, Sgt. William H. House"
811:
796:
740:
677:
339:
290:, then returned again in 1869.
747:Henig, Gerald S. (June 2009).
626:
586:
477:
469:Henig, Gerald S. (June 2009).
462:
1:
920:(Press release), 17 July 2013
526:. Detroit: Gale. 8 March 2013
455:
1055:19th-century American slaves
520:Contemporary Black Biography
352:was named in his honor, and
324:, Sgt. William H. Carney...
227:
203:
161:Second Battle of Fort Wagner
16:American soldier (1840–1908)
7:
1100:People enslaved in Virginia
774:"Medal of Honor recipients"
401:
273:
220:, and joined his father in
10:
1116:
346:New Bedford, Massachusetts
334:New Bedford, Massachusetts
280:New Bedford, Massachusetts
255:Charleston, South Carolina
71:New Bedford, Massachusetts
430:American Civil War portal
360:. His statue, along with
168:
151:
134:
124:
116:
99:
87:
77:
60:
40:
28:
21:
803:Emilio, Luis F. (1891).
778:American Civil War (A–L)
554:Carney, William Harvey.
955:"William Harvey Carney"
918:National Gallery of Art
614:. Gale. 12 October 1998
450:List of enslaved people
441:", a commemorative song
362:Private Milton L. Olive
396:Augustus Saint Gaudens
316:A Brave Black Regiment
301:
237:
948:William Harvey Carney
894:. Library of Virginia
296:
235:
197:Battle of Fort Wagner
181:William Harvey Carney
117:Years of service
23:William Harvey Carney
950:at Wikimedia Commons
637:. State News Service
354:his New Bedford home
218:Underground Railroad
1080:Union Army soldiers
608:"William H. Carney"
562:on 24 December 2019
516:"William H. Carney"
485:"Milton M. Holland"
384:Library of Virginia
268:honorable discharge
241:Carney joined the
238:
185:American Civil War
156:American Civil War
946:Media related to
819:South Coast Today
670:978-1-250-07578-9
390:, located on the
364:, is seen on the
350:elementary school
322:Robert J. Simmons
214:Norfolk, Virginia
193:regimental colors
178:
177:
54:Norfolk, Virginia
51:February 29, 1840
1107:
1021:
1019:
1017:
1005:
1003:
1001:
996:. Home of Heroes
989:
987:
985:
973:
971:
969:
945:
929:
928:
927:
925:
910:
904:
903:
901:
899:
888:
882:
881:
874:
868:
867:
865:
864:
854:
848:
847:
845:
843:
828:
822:
815:
809:
808:
800:
794:
793:
791:
789:
770:
764:
763:
761:
759:
744:
738:
737:
721:
712:Rubio, Philip F.
708:
699:
698:
696:
694:
681:
675:
674:
653:
647:
646:
644:
642:
630:
624:
623:
621:
619:
604:
593:
590:
584:
578:
572:
571:
569:
567:
551:
536:
535:
533:
531:
512:
493:
492:
481:
475:
474:
466:
432:
427:
426:
425:
418:
416:Biography portal
413:
412:
411:
394:and designed by
144:
143:
101:
67:
64:December 9, 1908
50:
48:
33:
19:
18:
1115:
1114:
1110:
1109:
1108:
1106:
1105:
1104:
1025:
1024:
1015:
1013:
1008:
999:
997:
992:
983:
981:
976:
967:
965:
953:
938:
933:
932:
923:
921:
912:
911:
907:
897:
895:
890:
889:
885:
876:
875:
871:
862:
860:
856:
855:
851:
841:
839:
830:
829:
825:
816:
812:
801:
797:
787:
785:
784:. July 16, 2007
772:
771:
767:
757:
755:
753:Civil War Times
745:
741:
734:
709:
702:
692:
690:
683:
682:
678:
671:
657:Sheinkin, Steve
654:
650:
640:
638:
631:
627:
617:
615:
606:
605:
596:
591:
587:
579:
575:
565:
563:
552:
539:
529:
527:
514:
513:
496:
483:
482:
478:
467:
463:
458:
428:
423:
421:
414:
409:
407:
404:
342:
276:
240:
230:
206:
138:
120:1863–1864
91:United States (
83:
78:Place of burial
69:
65:
52:
46:
44:
36:
24:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1113:
1103:
1102:
1097:
1092:
1087:
1082:
1077:
1072:
1067:
1062:
1057:
1052:
1047:
1042:
1037:
1023:
1022:
1006:
990:
974:
963:Military Times
951:
937:
936:External links
934:
931:
930:
905:
883:
869:
849:
823:
810:
795:
765:
739:
733:978-0807895733
732:
700:
676:
669:
648:
625:
594:
585:
573:
537:
494:
476:
460:
459:
457:
454:
453:
452:
447:
442:
434:
433:
419:
403:
400:
341:
338:
312:Luis F. Emilio
275:
272:
259:Medal of Honor
236:Carney c. 1864
229:
226:
205:
202:
189:Medal of Honor
176:
175:
173:Medal of Honor
170:
166:
165:
164:
163:
153:
149:
148:
136:
132:
131:
126:
122:
121:
118:
114:
113:
103:
97:
96:
89:
85:
84:
81:
79:
75:
74:
68:(aged 68)
62:
58:
57:
42:
38:
37:
34:
26:
25:
22:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1112:
1101:
1098:
1096:
1093:
1091:
1088:
1086:
1083:
1081:
1078:
1076:
1073:
1071:
1068:
1066:
1063:
1061:
1058:
1056:
1053:
1051:
1048:
1046:
1043:
1041:
1038:
1036:
1033:
1032:
1030:
1011:
1007:
995:
991:
979:
975:
964:
960:
959:Hall of Valor
956:
952:
949:
944:
940:
939:
919:
915:
909:
893:
887:
879:
873:
859:
853:
837:
833:
827:
821:
820:
814:
806:
799:
783:
779:
775:
769:
754:
750:
743:
735:
729:
725:
720:
719:
713:
707:
705:
688:
687:
680:
672:
666:
662:
658:
652:
636:
629:
613:
609:
603:
601:
599:
589:
582:
577:
561:
557:
550:
548:
546:
544:
542:
525:
521:
517:
511:
509:
507:
505:
503:
501:
499:
490:
486:
480:
472:
465:
461:
451:
448:
446:
443:
440:
436:
435:
431:
420:
417:
406:
399:
397:
393:
392:Boston Common
389:
385:
380:
378:
373:
371:
367:
363:
359:
355:
351:
347:
337:
335:
331:
330:lay in repose
326:
325:
323:
317:
313:
308:
306:
300:
295:
291:
289:
285:
281:
271:
269:
264:
260:
256:
252:
248:
244:
234:
225:
223:
222:Massachusetts
219:
215:
211:
201:
198:
194:
190:
186:
182:
174:
171:
167:
162:
159:
158:
157:
154:
150:
147:
142:
137:
133:
130:
127:
123:
119:
115:
111:
107:
104:
98:
94:
90:
86:
80:
76:
72:
63:
59:
55:
43:
39:
32:
27:
20:
1014:. Retrieved
1000:February 24,
998:. Retrieved
984:February 24,
982:. Retrieved
966:. Retrieved
958:
922:, retrieved
917:
908:
896:. Retrieved
886:
872:
861:. Retrieved
852:
840:. Retrieved
835:
826:
818:
813:
804:
798:
786:. Retrieved
777:
768:
756:. Retrieved
752:
742:
717:
691:. Retrieved
685:
679:
660:
651:
639:. Retrieved
628:
616:. Retrieved
611:
588:
576:
564:. Retrieved
560:the original
528:. Retrieved
523:
519:
488:
479:
470:
464:
381:
374:
372:, Delaware.
343:
340:Other honors
327:
319:
315:
309:
302:
297:
292:
277:
239:
207:
180:
179:
152:Battles/wars
66:(1908-12-09)
1040:1908 deaths
1035:1840 births
968:February 1,
263:color guard
261:. When the
251:Fort Wagner
195:during the
1029:Categories
863:2018-11-23
456:References
370:Wilmington
288:California
110:Union Army
88:Allegiance
47:1840-02-29
228:Civil War
204:Biography
106:U.S. Army
842:16 March
714:(2010).
659:(2008).
402:See also
310:Captain
299:wounded.
274:Post War
247:sergeant
129:Sergeant
100:Service/
1016:May 23,
924:19 July
898:2 March
788:1 March
758:1 March
693:1 March
641:1 March
618:1 March
566:1 March
530:1 March
491:. 2019.
318:wrote:
730:
667:
169:Awards
102:branch
73:, U.S.
56:, U.S.
726:–18.
210:slave
93:Union
1018:2017
1002:2010
986:2010
970:2010
926:2020
900:2015
844:2015
790:2015
760:2015
728:ISBN
695:2015
665:ISBN
643:2015
620:2015
568:2015
532:2015
135:Unit
125:Rank
61:Died
41:Born
524:104
368:in
307:".
253:in
212:in
1031::
961:.
957:.
916:,
834:.
780:.
776:.
751:.
724:16
703:^
610:.
597:^
540:^
522:.
518:.
497:^
487:.
398:.
348:,
344:A
1020:.
1004:.
988:.
972:.
902:.
880:.
866:.
846:.
792:.
762:.
736:.
697:.
673:.
645:.
622:.
570:.
534:.
437:"
112:)
108:(
95:)
49:)
45:(
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
