West Freemason in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
William Harvey Carney
Sergeant, U.S. Army
— Norfolk Trail of Honor —
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2022
1. William Harvey Carney Marker
Inscription.
William Harvey Carney. Sergeant, U.S. Army. Sergeant Carney was born a slave in Norfolk and named William. He traveled to Massachusetts through the Underground Railroad. Having escaped from slavery, he met a man named William Carney and assumed his last name so he could serve in the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Colored Infantry. He took part in the July 18, 1863 assault on Fort Wagner, SC. He earned his Medal of Honor by saving the American flag and planting it on a parapet and although wounded, holding it while the troops charged.Recognizing the Federal troops had to retreat under fire, Carney struggled back across the battlefield and although wounded twice more, returned the flag to the Union lines. SGT Carney modestly said “Boys, I only did my duty. The old flag never touched the ground.” SGT Carney was the first black soldier to earn the Medal of Honor.
Sergeant Carney was born a slave in Norfolk and named William. He traveled to Massachusetts through the Underground Railroad. Having escaped from slavery, he met a man named William Carney and assumed his last name so he could serve in the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Colored Infantry. He took part in the July 18, 1863 assault on Fort Wagner, SC. He earned his Medal of Honor by saving the American flag and planting it on a parapet and although wounded, holding it while the troops charged.Recognizing the Federal troops had to retreat under fire, Carney struggled back across the battlefield and although wounded twice more, returned the flag to the Union lines. SGT Carney modestly said “Boys, I only did my duty. The old flag never touched the ground.” SGT Carney was the first black soldier to earn the Medal of Honor.
Location. 36° 50.927′ N, 76° 17.671′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in West Freemason. Marker can be reached from Boush Street (Virginia Route 337) south
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of Brooke Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Marker located just north of Wisconsin Square and south of the Pagoda and Oriental Garden. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . 1. William H. Carney. (Submitted on January 31, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.) 2. Norfolk Trail of Honor. (Submitted on January 31, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2022
2. William Harvey Carney Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 140 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 31, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
