Waterside Promenade in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Sgt. William H. Carney

(1840 - 1908)

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 19, 2022

1. Sgt. William H. Carney Marker

Inscription. William Carney, born into slavery in Norfolk, gained his freedom and settled in New Bedford, MA, ca. 1858. He enlisted in the 54th Massachusetts Vol. Infantry Regt. In Feb. 1863, shortly after the Emancipation Proclamation authorized African American men to serve in combat in the U.S. Army, and was soon promoted to sergeant. On 18 July 1863, as the 54th led an attack on Fort Wagner near Charleston, SC, Carney retrieved the American flag from the regiment’s wounded color guard. Under heavy fire, he carried the flag to the fort’s parapet and then, despite serious wounds, withdrew it when his unit was pushed back. For this action Carney received the Medal of Honor on 23 May 1900.

Erected 2020 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number KV-34.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Military • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is July 18, 1863.

Location. 36° 50.598′ N, 76° 17.168′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Waterside Promenade. Marker is on East Water Street, 0.1 miles east of Waterside Drive (Virginia

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Route 337), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15 Waterside Dr, Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Bombardment of Norfolk, 1776 (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); East Main Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); Elizabeth River (approx. 0.2 miles away); Commercial Place (approx. ¼ mile away); Northern Limit of Old Norfolk (approx. ¼ mile away); Ferries to Portsmouth and Berkley (approx. ¼ mile away); The Underground Railroad (approx. ¼ mile away); Col. Samuel Leroy Slover (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Also see . . . William H. Carney: The first black soldier to earn the Medal of Honor. (Submitted on February 3, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 19, 2022

2. Sgt. William H. Carney Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 177 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 3, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.