Monument being dedicated to black Civil War unit

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A monument is being dedicated this week in South Carolina to the 55th Massachusetts, a black Union regiment that fought in the Civil War.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reported the remains of 19 Union soldiers buried during the war were found at nearby Folly Beach in 1987. They were later buried at the national cemetery in Beaufort.

Now busts showing what two of the soldiers probably looked like have been created and a monument to the regiment is being dedicated Friday at Folly Beach.

The 55th camped on Folly Beach during the siege of Confederate-held Charleston.

The more famous 54th Massachusetts, another black regiment, attacked Battery Wagner in 1863 in a charge depicted in the movie “Glory.”

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Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.postandcourier.com

Categories: News, State