The 1st Louisiana Native Guards, a state militia, already existed when the Civil War started in April 1861, but Confederates in New Orleans quickly disbanded the black regiment. When New Orleans fell into Northern hands, Union commanders managed to reconstitute the unit, which on Sept. 27, 1862, received official recognition from the Union Army. The Massachusetts 54th was not mustered until three months later in January 1863. The 1st Louisiana was the first officially recognized black regiment to engage in battle in May 1863. The Massachusetts 54th's charge at Fort Wagner did not come until July.
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