by Carl Cruz

My uncle, Sergeant William H. Carney, was born on February 29, 1840, in Norfolk, Virginia. He was the son of slaves. In his fourteenth year, he attended a school that was run secretly by a minister in Norfolk, Virginia. In his fifteenth year, Uncle Carney embraced the gospel. His father, whose name was also William, escaped slavery, going to freedom via the underground railroad. He arrived in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in the late 1850s. Soon after, he purchased his family out of slavery.

On February 17, 1863, my uncle heard the call for African Americans to join the Union Army and enlisted in the 54th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He was one of the 46 volunteers from New Bedford who belonged to Company C.

William Carney's mark on history can be traced to the 54th's assault on Fort Wagner. For his bravery beyond the call of duty, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and granted several honors for "gallant and meritorious conduct." Carney was discharged on June 30, 1864. In a letter written to the Liberator newspaper in 1863, Carney stated the reason why he enlisted: "Previous to the formation of colored troops, I had a strong inclination to prepare myself for the ministry; but when the country called for all persons, I could best serve my God serving my country and my oppressed brothers. The sequel is short - I enlisted for the war."

On October 11, 1865, Sergeant Carney married Susannah Williams of New Bedford. They had one child who never married, Clara Heronia, who later became a well-known music teacher in the New Bedford area.

In 1866, Carney was appointed superintendent of street lights for the city of New Bedford. Sometime later, he left for California to seek his fortunes. He returned to New Bedford in 1869 and took a job in the postal service, the first African American in the area to do so. Carney worked at this position for 32 years. In 1901, Massachusetts Secretary of State William H. Olin asked him to take the job of messenger at the State House, a position he held until his death. He was the second African American to hold this position. The first was abolitionist Lewis Hayden of Boston.

Sergeant Carney died on December 8, 1908, as a result of an elevator accident in the State House. His funeral, held at his residence, was well attended by State officials. As a final tribute, all flags in the Commonwealth were ordered at half mast, marking the first time this was done for an African American man and an "ordinary " citizen.

About the author: Carl Cruz is Sergeant Carney's great grand-nephew. He is the Vice-President of the New Bedford Historical Society and the Assistant Chief Family Service Officer at the Bristol County, Massachusetts, Probate and Family Court.

by Jennifer Drewry

As the 54th slogged through the sand directly into the line of fire, the flag bearer, at the front of the line, held high the Union Colors. It served as a beacon to those who followed behind.

Suddenly, the bearer faltered. Sergeant Carney, disregarding his safety, threw down his rifle and grabbed the flag. In minutes, his entire division lay dead or wounded around him. He too was wounded, but refused to give up the flag.

Out of the darkness came a voice. A Union soldier offered his help. He reached for the flag, but Carney would not release it. He insisted that he return it only to the 54th. The two men staggered on, as bullets flew by. Once more, Carney felt a stabbing pain, this time to his head. Finally, they made it back to Union lines and relief washed over him as he recognized men from his own regiment.

In recognition of his heroic actions, Carney was presented with the Gillmore Medal of Honor, a personal gift of Quincy A. Gillmore, the commanding general of the attack on Fort Wagner.

In 1900, Sergeant Carney received the nation's highest commemoration, the Congressional Medal of Honor. He distinguished himself as the first African American to earn this medal for his unwavering bravery. To this day, his act is still commended as one of the most gallant of the entire war.