Memorial Day May 29, 1989
(Tablet One)
The Governor of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts Michael S. Dukakis, and
descendents of the African-American Civil
War Volunteers of the 54th and 55th Infantry
Regiments and the 5th Cavalry Regiment of
Massachusetts, accompanied by distinguished
citizens of the Commonwealth, came on this day
to Beaufort National Veterans Cemetery to
honor the members of the Black 55th Massachusetts
Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, whose remains
were found on Folly Island, South Carolina in
1987, and reinterred this day with full military
honors befitting American soldiers.
"Duty well performed...Glory and reward won."
Governor John A. Andrew, 1865
(Tablet Two)
These hallowed grounds hold the
remains of at least nineteen Black
Union soldiers, 55th Massachusetts
Infantry Regiment, who lost their
lives on Folly Island in the siege
of Charleston, during the winter
encampment of Nov 1863 - Feb 1864,
Civil War.
Their earthly remains lay long
forgotten until rediscovered in
May 1987. They were reburied at
this site by the Community of
Beaufort, May 29, 1989.
Marker can be reached from Boundary Street (U.S. 21).
Courtesy hmdb.org
