The Second Battle of Fort Wagner took place during the American Civil War, with a notable focus on the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, one of the first officially recognized African American regiments. Under the command of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, the 54th advanced against Battery Wagner, a critical Confederate fortification defending Charleston Harbor in South Carolina. On July 18, 1863, under the cover of darkness, approximately 600 men from the regiment launched a desperate assault against the heavily fortified position, encountering intense artillery and infantry fire from Confederate defenders. As they pressed forward, the 54th was supported by white regiments including the 6th Massachusetts and the 48th New York, but the Confederate forces proved too resilient.The attack, full of courage and determination, met with tragic results, with over 900 Union soldiers becoming casualties, including Shaw himself. The gruesome losses shook the Union Army, yet they resonated profoundly within the African American community. The battle's aftermath spurred discussions about the abilities and contributions of Black soldiers in the fight for freedom, setting a historical milestone as it helped pave the way for more African Americans to enlist in the Union Army. Though the assault was ultimately unsuccessful, the bravery demonstrated by the 54th and their white allies was fundamentally significant and indicative of the broader struggles occurring during the Civil War era.