Large group of ephemera relating to Lt. Alfred H. Knowles (1842-1933), a white commissioned officer in the famous 54th Massachusetts Infantry. Listed as a "tinplate worker" from Orleans, Massachusetts, Knowles previously served in the 24th Massachusetts and was wounded-in-action in December of 1864.

This group includes: various newspaper articles relating to Knowles' post-war activities in veteran groups, photos of Knowles/his wife and daughter, a woven lock of hair, an adjutant's copy of a document relating to weapons/equipment that was "lost" during the war by the 54th MA, an 1864 return document signed by Knowles relating to issued equipment/weapons used by the 54th MA, an 1864 return document signed by Knowles noting a wound suffered by Pvt. Emery Anderson, 5+ wartime documents relating to weapons/equipment issued to soldiers in the 54th MA, Knowles' marriage certificate, Knowles' discharge from the 24th Massachusetts, two muster-in rolls noting Knowles' as an officer in the 54th MA, Knowles' official commission to become an officer in the 54th MA issued by the Governor of Massachusetts, and a 1933 letter issuing Knowles a Purple Heart for the wound he received in 1864.

The 54th Massachusetts Infantry was organized in March 1863 by Robert Gould Shaw, the son of a notable Boston abolitionist. Composed primarily of free northern blacks, including two sons of iconic abolitionist Frederick Douglass, the regiment carried the expectations of many who saw it as a symbol of the African American community's determination to fight for freedom and equality. Men like Knowles rose to the occasion. Colonel Shaw was killed during the regiment’s historic charge at Battery Wagner in South Carolina and was buried in a mass grave with his fallen troops. Intended as an insult, it became an eternal honor.



[Civil War, Union, Confederate, African Americana, African American History, Slavery, Abolition, Enslavement, Emancipation, USCT, United States Colored Troops, Emancipation Proclamation, Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera]