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Black Union Soldiers Memorial in West Point Cemetery

Introduction

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Located with the West Point Cemetery in Norfolk, VA, the Black Union Soldiers Memorial stands guard over fifty-eight graves of Black soldiers and sailors who gave their lives during the United States Civil War and the Spanish American War. Completed in 1920, the statue is said to be the only memorial within the southern states to honor Black Union troops. The man who embodies the memorial is not just a nameless soldier meant to represent the group, but Norfolk native Sergeant William H. Carney of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment.

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Backstory and Context

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The Black Union Soldiers Memorial, or simply the West Point Memorial, can be accessed by first entering Elmwood Cemetery – a white cemetery erected beside West Point Cemetery during their establishment in the latter half of the 1800s. The section of West Point cemetery dedicated to Black veterans was donated Union Veterans Hall Association by a resolution proposed by James E. Fuller, which was adopted by the Common Council of Norfolk on March 3, 1886, and by the Select Council of Norfolk on April 13, 1886. The alter for the monument was laid for dedication on May 30, 1906 by the Norfolk Memorial Association. James E. Fuller is a significant historical figure not only in context of the establishment of the West Point Memorial, he was also the son of slaves who rose to the position of Norfolk's first Black councilman in the 1880s. Additionally, Fuller is also buried within the veterans section of West Point, having himself served in the Civil War.

The soldier depicted on the monument is Norfolk native Sergeant William H. Carney of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment, who was born enslaved in 1840. Carney enlisted in the 54th Massachusetts in 1862, and fought with his regiment during the July 18, 1863 attack on Fort Wagner, South Carolina. Carney was awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary bravery under enemy fire, being the first Black soldier to ever receive a Medal of Honor. Carney saved the U.S. flag from capture by Confederate forces, refusing to give up despite the fact he had already been shot three times. In 1989, a film by the name of Glory was released, depicting the heroic deeds of Carney and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment.

Sources

U. S. Colored Soldiers Monument, Historic Forrest. Accessed December 10th 2020. https://www.historicforrest.com/HSites/NorfolkVA/coloredTroops.html.

West Point Monument at West Point Cemetery, Visit Norfolk. Accessed December 10th 2020. https://www.visitnorfolk.com/listings/west-point-monument-at-west-point-cemetery/33/.

Black Union Soldiers Memorial at West Point Cemetery, National Register of Historic Places. Accessed December 10th 2020. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/41682209.

Messina, Debbie. Black soldiers' efforts to be honored at historic Norfolk cemetery, The Virginian-Pilot. April 27th 2007. Accessed December 10th 2020. https://www.pilotonline.com/news/article_97175528-45f5-5b27-9290-44f92c7ee651.html.

West Point Monument Honoring William Carney in the Elmwood Cemetery, Afro Virginia. Accessed December 10th 2020. http://places.afrovirginia.org/items/show/480.

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