The 54th Mass. was not the 1st black regiment, but.......

Rating: Null/10 (22 June 2002)

it was the first into combat in July 1863. Everyone expected them to run, thought arming black troops was a mistake. But they did not run.
And... wounded 5 times during that engagement with Battery Wagner as portrayed in the movie, one of their men returned to friendly lines with the regimental colors and was the first black soldier to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery above and beyond the call of duty.