Luis F. Emilio (1844-1918). History of the Fifty-Fourth Regiment or Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, 1863-1865. Boston: The Boston Book Company, 1891.  

8vo. 20 plates, 7 maps and plans, 2 folding maps. Publisher's brown cloth gilt. Provenance: Braintree Historical Society (ex-library markings); William M. Olin (ownership inscription to front free endpaper). 

FIRST EDITION of "A Brave Black Regiment," arguably the single greatest book about the experience of African American soldiers in the Civil War. It is an impressive account of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, the first black regiment raised in the North during the Civil War, whose story was adapted for the big screen in the classic 1989 film “Glory.”

The 54th Massachusetts Infantry was organized in March 1863 by Robert Gould Shaw, the son of a notable Boston abolitionist. Composed primarily of free northern blacks, including two sons of iconic abolitionist Frederick Douglass, the regiment carried the expectations of an enslaved race on their shoulders. Colonel Shaw (played by Matthew Broderick in Glory) was killed during the regiment’s historic charge at Battery Wagner in South Carolina and was buried in a mass grave with his fallen troops. Intended as an insult, it became an eternal honor.

The volume includes a complete roster and over 80 photographic plates of officers and enlisted men, including William Carney, the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor.

The author, Luis Emilio, was a white officer in the 54th who initially served in Company F of the 23rd Massachusetts, enlisting at the beginning of the War, even lying about his age in order to serve. He saw action at the Battle of Roanoke Island and was promoted to sergeant. Upon the creation of the 54th Massachusetts following the Emancipation Proclamation, Emilio was offered a commission as a 2nd lieutenant thanks to his previous experience and his family's abolitionist sentiments. Commissioned on 30 March 1863, he was promoted to 1st lieutenant of Company E by May. Due to heavy casualties during the assault on Fort Wagner, Emilio served as the acting commander by the end of the battle.  

There is ownership inscription of "Wm. M. Olin," which may correspond to Massachusetts veteran William M. Olin who served in Company C of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry and was an active member of the GAR in both Charlestown and Roxbury. 

A cornerstone work for any Civil War library. 

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