Undying Glory by Clinton Cox
"Undying Glory" by Clinton Cox is a historical account that focuses on the Massachusetts 54th Regiment, the first all-black regiment recruited in the North during the American Civil War. The narrative delves into the formation of the regiment, highlighting the efforts of key figures such as Governor John Andrew and abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who worked to recruit African American soldiers despite the numerous obstacles they faced, including discriminatory policies regarding service, pay, and promotion. Cox vividly portrays the courage and determination of these soldiers, particularly during significant engagements like the assault on Fort Wagner, which showcased their capabilities and helped shift public perception about black troops.
The book serves as a critical resource for understanding the role of black soldiers in the Civil War and their contributions to the Union’s victory, ultimately leading to the abolition of slavery. Cox utilizes various primary documents, including photographs, letters, and newspaper excerpts, to enrich the narrative and provide a comprehensive view of this period. Aimed at young adult readers, "Undying Glory" not only educates about this important aspect of history but also offers a platform for African American and non-black readers to connect with the valor and sacrifices of these unheralded participants. The work has been well-received for its articulate storytelling and its significance in highlighting a largely overlooked chapter of American history.
Subject Terms
Undying Glory by Clinton Cox
First published: 1991; illustrated
Subjects: Race and ethnicity, social issues, and war
Type of work: History
Time of work: 1863-1865
Recommended Ages: 10-15
Locale: Massachusetts, New York, South Carolina, and Florida
Principal Personages:
Robert Gould Shaw , the officer who first declines and then accepts command of the all-black Massachusetts 54th regimentEdward N. Hallowell , the officer who assumes command of the 54th regiment after the death of ShawJohn Andrew , the Massachusetts governor who champions the formation of the 54th regimentAbraham Lincoln , the U.S. president, who makes key decisions regarding black soldiersFrederick Douglass , a black abolitionist who recruits black soldiers to the 54th regiment through the power and persuasion of his speaking and writingLewis Douglass , Frederick Douglass’ son and the first recruit for the 54th regimentCharlotte Forten , a black teacher who works with former slaves in a model projectRobert Small , a black riverboat captain who provides vital service to the army and navy in CharlestonSteven A. Swails , the first member of the 54th regiment to be promoted to officerWilliam H. Carney , a recipient of the Medal of Honor who rescues the colors during the assault on Fort Wagner
Form and Content
Undying Glory: The Story of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment is a well-researched account of the first all-black regiment recruited in the North during the Civil War. In a narration rich with anecdotes, Clinton Cox presents a historical account of events surrounding the formation of the regiment and chronicles the contributions of those who helped make an all-black regiment a reality. He also describes the obstacles presented to men of color who wanted to serve their country, including policies that initially forbade their service and later denied them equal pay and promotion.
From the beginning of the war, African Americans petition to join the Union Army but are refused. John Andrew, the governor of Massachusetts, leads the effort to create an all-black regiment, assisted by abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass, who uses the power of his newspaper and his considerable speaking eloquence to attract recruits. When the roster is complete, the Massachusetts 54th regiment will have drawn recruits from twenty-two states, including the sons of Frederick Douglass and Martin Delaney and the grandson of preacher Sojourner Truth.
Initially, black troops are used as laborers and are denied equal pay and promotion. When the regiment is ordered to Charleston Harbor in South Carolina to assist in the assault on Fort Wagner, however, the courageous performance of the black soldiers in this engagement generates a positive response from government and civilians alike, and, within six months, sixty black regiments exist within the Union Army. As Cox notes, “None but the most biased now questioned the ability of black men to fight or the wisdom of using them to save the Union.” Tragically, as black soldiers are engaged in battle, rioters burn black homes and attack black men, women, and children in the streets of New York City. Troops fresh from battle at Gettysburg are sent to New York to restore order.
After the first failed assault on Fort Wagner, troops spend months preparing for a massive artillery bombardment, and the 54th regiment eventually guards the fort as part of the victorious army. Thanks to their initial efforts, nearly 216,000 black soldiers will fight in 449 engagements and 39 battles. President Abraham Lincoln will declare that “without the help of black freed men, the war against the South could not have been won.” Although the epilogue acknowledges the eroding of the rights that these men fought to obtain, it also emphasizes the significance of the contribution made by the 54th and other regiments, noting that “largely because of their fulfillment of that work, slavery had been abolished and the foundations laid for a nation where all men might one day live as equals.”
Cox makes extensive use of primary documents in his research for this book and includes an impressive bibliography of historical and contemporary texts, from which he draws historical interpretation, quotations, and battle descriptions. Photographs of major participants, statistics from governmental publications, recruiting posters, banners, telegrams, letters, and newspaper excerpts effectively complement the narrative.
Critical Context
Undying Glory is the first notable book for young adult readers to focus specifically on the participation of black troops in the Civil War. It is a significant contribution to this largely untold history, providing African American readers with heroic models and nonblacks with the opportunity to identify with these unheralded participants in the war. Hailed for its contribution to the history of the Civil War and described as moving, articulate, and thought-provoking by major reviewers, this book has found a place of regard on the bookshelves of both the newly interested and the historically informed. Young adult readers will find that it serves as a excellent introduction to other volumes from which it was drawn, such as A Brave Black Regiment (1894, 1968), Luis Emilio’s eyewitness account of the 54th regiment. The motion picture Glory (1991) draws on the same events, and, although somewhat lacking in historical accuracy, it has helped develop interest in black Civil War soldiers and motivated many readers to take advantage of Clinton Cox’s well-researched and exciting account of the same events.
Cox was twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, and his journalistic background is evident in this well-written, balanced, and carefully researched book. As a child, Cox listened to his father tell about his experiences in World War II. He developed an interest in writing about black Civil War soldiers because, like the stories told to him by his father, they were a part of “untold history.”