Hold the Flag High

by Catherine Clinton, Shane W. Evans (Illustrations)

The true story of the first Black Medal of Freedom winner—a  remarkable account of one of the most memorable battles in Civil War history. Sergeant William H. Carney was one of the few Black officers of the newly formed Massachusetts Fifty-fourth Regiment—composed entirely of Black soldiers. In an important Civil War battle, Carney led his men over the ramparts of Fort Wagner, where Union soldiers charged the Confederates. As they fought, they gained strength from the stars and stripes of the American flag, Old Glory. It was Carney’s vow to never let Old Glory touch the ground, and despite several gunshot wounds, he was able to rescue the flag from the fallen bearer. Carney held the flag high as a symbol that his regiment would never submit to the Confederacy. The battle of Fort Wagner decimated the Fifty-fourth Regiment, but Carney’s heroism that night inspired all who survived. This nonfiction picture book is authored by Catherine Clinton, the Denman Chair of American History at the University of Texas in San Antonio, and beautifully illustrated by Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner Shane W. Evans.  “Captures the fear and horror of battle as well as the bravery of the soldiers.”— Booklist “An excellent resource to humanize textbook studies of the Civil War.” — School Library Journal

Genres: Picture Books, War, History, Civil War, African American, Nonfiction, American Civil War

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 24, 2005

About the author

Professor of history at Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Specializes in American history, African-American history, the Civil War, and women's history. Previously taught at Brandeis and Harvard universities. Born in 1952, grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. Studied sociology and history at Harvard, earned a master's degree from Sussex and a doctorate from Princeton.

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fifty-fourth regiment of Massachusetts, consisting entirely of African American men, fought bravely on the South Carolina battlefields where they had been sent. This picture book, filled with vibrant artwork featuring the faces of soldiers and the flag of the Union, describes the act of heroism of Sergeant William H. Carney. Because he kept the flag from ever hitting the ground as its bearers fell to the Confederate troops, he became the first African American to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. This is an inspiring footnote from our nation's history and certainly a story that deserves to be preserved in such attractive fashion.

[Tarra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Convoluted plot that downplays the Civil War as merely a "quarrel". The dialogue is unrealistic and it makes the characters sound buffoonish. As a black woman having to teach this story to Taiwanese 5th graders who had no context and we're presented this whitewashed version of the events, it was absolute torture. I hope when they are old enough they will watch Glory and see a less sappy, less sterilized, less portrayal of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment.

[Maura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an important biography of the first African American soldier to earn the Congressional Medal of Honor. My 7 year old son read it last year about 100 times and entered William H. Carney into the Virginia Governor's Black History Month Historical Marker contest last year, and now William H. Carney will finally have a Virginia historical marker! I have shared this book with several 4th grade classes and they LOVE it.

[Karen Hange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gives great insight into the Civil War from the perspective of Company C of the Massachusetts Fifty-fourth regiment. This was the African-American regiment organized in 1868. It highlights the bravery and courage in battle that these men demonstrated and focuses on the actions of William Carney who was the first African American to win the Congressional Medal of Honor.

[Jessie]

Deeeefinitely a mentor/supplementary book for my 6th and 8th graders who are reading Across Five Aprils. This will give the perspective of a soldier (first person) on the battlefield and of a Black soldier.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tells the story of the 54th's assault on Ft. Wagner and that Sergeant Carney was first Af Am recipient of Medal of Honor.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving story of bravery while also highlighting the struggles of African American soldiers in the Civil War. This is a great read aloud for upper elementary students learning about the Civil War.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Kyle Turck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hold the Flag High is the heroic story of the first African-American regiment to see battle during the Civil War. The book centers around Sergeant William Carney, a young officer in the Massachusetts Fifty-fourth, who refused to allow "Old Glory" to ever touch the ground, even when Carney was wounded and the battle was at its most intense. The soldiers lost that first battle, but the heroism displayed by men like William Carney spurred the North to push forward and ultimately win the war!

I would personally recommend this book for upper-level elementary students (3rd grade or higher) as the subject matter leans towards the dark end of the spectrum, but doesn't really delve too much into the topic of slavery, instead focusing on how these men fought for their country just like every other soldier in the North.

[Crista Goluch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story depicts the Battle of Fort Wagner which is the first time an all African American troup was sent to fight for the Civil War. This story follows Sargent William Carney and the Fifty - Fourth Regiment as they prepare for and fight that fateful day.

I like how the book included a time-line to help the reader and an actual picture of Sargent Carney which looks like it was taken when he recieved his Medal of Honor. Sargent Carney was the first African American to recieve this award.

[Heloyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Civil War produced many heroes but many were never recognized or their heroic acts recognized. This is an account of a soldier in the Fifty-fourth Regiment of the Union Army. Determined to never let the flag fall to the ground, he was able to rescue the flag and hold it high until the battle was over. Although his regiment was nearly destroyed, all were inspired by his bravery.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars A sucker for non-fiction I enjoyed this true story! A dark time in our US history and a lovely story in a very dark time! Read the notes at the end of the book. Great for 5th Grade US History!

[Lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good recount of the battle of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment of black union soldiers at Ft. Wagner, Charleston.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was a great book and i really enjoyed it it inspired me

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book with great illustrations.

[Michelle Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully painted illustrations and very well-written.

[Taylor]

This is terrible I wanted it so we can read it off of here