S 0462 Joint Resolution, By Jackson and Ford

Similar(S 488)
 A Joint Resolution to create a commission to design and establish an
 appropriate monument on the State House grounds to honor the memory of the 1st
 South Carolina Volunteers (African descent) and the 54th Massachusetts
 Infantry Regiment, which were fighting regiments during the War Between the
 States comprised of persons of African descent.

   02/08/95  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-9
   02/08/95  Senate Referred to Committee on General SJ-9

A JOINT RESOLUTION

TO CREATE A COMMISSION TO DESIGN AND ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE MONUMENT ON THE STATE HOUSE GROUNDS TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF THE 1ST SOUTH CAROLINA VOLUNTEERS (AFRICAN DESCENT) AND THE 54TH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY REGIMENT, WHICH WERE FIGHTING REGIMENTS DURING THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES COMPRISED OF PERSONS OF AFRICAN DESCENT.

Whereas, following the Emancipation Proclamation, the U.S. War Department issued General Order No. 143 establishing the Bureau of Colored Troops for the purposes of recruiting colored soldiers, commissioning officers to command them, organizing regiments, and maintaining their records; and

Whereas, during the course of the War Between the States, more than 170,000 enlisted men served in the U.S. Army as members of the U.S. Colored Troops, including more than 5,000 from South Carolina; and

Whereas, members of the U.S. Colored Troops fought in 39 major engagements and 410 lesser actions, with more than 36,000 of these soldiers dying during the course of the War; and

Whereas, the first recorded attempt to organize slaves into a military unit on the Union side predated the Emancipation Proclamation when, in May 1862, Major General David Hunter raised the 1st South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment (African Descent); and

Whereas, the regiment was officially mustered into U.S. Army service on January 31, 1863, and was mustered out on January 31, 1866; and

Whereas, on February 4, 1864, the regiment was redesignated as the 33rd United States Colored Troops; and

Whereas, the regiment has been recorded as participating in four battles and skirmishes during the War, at Hall Island on November 24, 1863; at James Island on July 1 and 2, 1864; at Milltown Bluff on July 10, 1863; and Township, Florida on January 26, 1863; and

Whereas, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment was the first colored regiment recruited in the North, after Governor John Albion Andrew received permission from the Secretary of War to raise a regiment of free negroes; and

Whereas, the 54th, which was the subject of the motion picture "Glory", was organized at Camp Meigs, Reidville, Massachusetts, from March 30 to May 13, 1863; and

Whereas, the 54th participated in battles at James Island, Fort Wagner, Honey Hill, and Boykins Mill in South Carolina; and

Whereas, the 54th was commanded by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, who was killed in battle at Fort Wagner on July 18, 1863 and whose last words were quoted as being, "Onward fifty-fourth!"; and

Whereas, Sergeant William H. Carney of the 54th became the first negro soldier to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for his participation in the battle at Fort Wagner, and is noted for not allowing the regiment flag to touch the ground; and

Whereas, Carney's medal citation reads "[w]hen the color sergeant was shot down, this soldier grasped the flag, led the way to the parapet, and planted the colors thereon. When the troops fell back he brought off the flag, under a fierce fire in which he was twice severely wounded"; and

Whereas, it is fitting that the State of South Carolina honor the memory of these gallant fighting men, which memory has not heretofore been officially recognized.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. A commission is hereby created to design and establish an appropriate monument to be placed on the grounds of the Capitol Complex to honor and recognize the efforts of the 1st South Carolina Volunteers and the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The commission is empowered and directed to raise private funds, to receive gifts and grants to carry out the purpose for which it is created, and to designate the location of the monument. By January 1, 1996, the commission shall report the proposed design and location of the monument to the General Assembly for approval. Upon the dedication of this monument, the commission shall dissolve. Upon dissolution, the State shall ensure proper maintenance of the monument as is done for other historical monuments on the grounds of the Capitol Complex.

Three members must be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and three members must be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Notwithstanding Section 8-13-770, members of the General Assembly may be appointed to this commission. The President Pro Tempore and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint a seventh member as chairman who shall vote only in cases of a tie.

Members of the commission may receive per diem and subsistence from the respective approved accounts of each body while attending meetings of the commission. All other expenses relating to the establishment and placement of the monument shall be paid for from funds derived as provided in the first paragraph of this section.

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.