Lunch With Books: They ALL Became Heroes: 54th and 55th Massachusetts Infantry

February 06, 2024
12:00pm - 1:00pm

Feb. 6, 2024: They ALL Became Heroes: 54th and 55th Massachusetts Infantry

Pete Chacalos will discuss his new book, They All Became Heroes: 54th and 55th Massachusetts Infantry. Soon after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, Governor John Andrew, authorized by Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, began raising a “colored” regiment, the Fifty-Fourth Massachusetts Infantry. The Fifty-Fourth was the first African-American regiment raised in the northern states east of the Mississippi River for the defense of the Union. The Fifth-Fifth Massachusetts Infantry and Fifth Massachusetts Cavalry would soon follow. Despite initial doubts, these men would prove themselves worthy soldiers, and they distinguished themselves during the final two years of the Civil War. They ALL Became Heroes will traces the raising of these hallowed regiments as well as their engagements and service during the war in a clear and concise manner. The success of the Fifty-fourth paved the way for approximately 180,000 African Americans to enlist and help bring the Civil War to a conclusion.

Presenter Bio: Peter Chacalos is a graduate of Wheeling Park High School, West Virginia University, and Ohio University. Retired after a thirty-five-year teaching career, Chacalos was a National Board Certified teacher and was named as Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year for the 2018-2019 school year. Chacalos specializes in Civil War history and is Vice President of the Ohio Valley Civil War Roundtable. He serves on the board of the West Virginia Independence Hall Foundation and was recognized as a West Virginia History Hero for 2022. Chacalos lives in Wheeling, WV, with his wife Lynnette and golden doodle Abby.