When and where did the 54th Massechusetts Infantry first go to battle?

The 54th Massachusetts Infantry first went into battle on July 18, 1863, during the Second Battle of Fort Wagner, located near Charleston, South Carolina. This regiment was one of the first official African American units in the United States during the Civil War and is renowned for its courageous assault on the fort, despite suffering significant casualties. Their bravery played a crucial role in changing perceptions about African American soldiers in the Union Army.