Elias Artis was a young black man from Van Buren Township in Shelby County, Ohio. At the age of 22 he would have witnessed a tragic event that may have led to his future actions.
A farmer by trade, Elias was 30 years old and married when he answered the recruiter’s call. Many of Elias’s white neighbors had gone off to fight the Rebels in the Civil War.
Word began to circulate that a recruiter would be passing through to sign up people of color to fight for the Union. Elias Artis left Shelby County to join the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He received a bonus of $50 dollars.
Artis along with others from the area, made their way to Boston and were assigned to Company D of the 54th Massachusetts. On May 13, 1863, these men were officially enlisted in Boston.
Uncertain of the reception they would receive, the men made their way through the streets where they were greeted by cheering, flag waving spectators lining the route. As the parade ended the recruited men found themselves in front of a reviewing stand containing Frederick Douglas, a fiery orator and champion of antislavery views.
The 54th Massachusetts officers were all white as required by the Militia Act. The 54th left Boston aboard the Demolay off to prove their mettle by serving in the Civil War as people of color had served in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. As the ship left the pier, Frederick Douglas stood waving until the ship disappeared from sight.
Company D of the 54th Massachusetts fought along with white soldiers, receiving less pay for their efforts. This regiment attracted some of the finest men the North had to offer. Several men, including Artis, were engineers.
Company D was ordered to burn an abandoned town to make the point to Southerners that is war was real. Colonel Shaw, the commanding officer, kept his men busy loading and unloading ships after the Darien, Georgia campaign.
Northern strategists thought the key to the eventual capture of Charleston, South Carolina was a successful assault on Fort Wagner. Built on a string of islands, the only approach to the heavily fortified structure was from a narrow, sandy beach. Against the advice of other veteran brigade commanders, Shaw’s superior ordered the assault. On July 18, 1863, Shaw’s regiment was selected to spearhead a force of three Union brigades. Company D, with Elias Artis was to lead the way on the left wing. Artis began the 1300-yard charge down the beach and into history.
Elias Artis was injured in the assault. Hezekiah Stewart escaped without injury. Company D had the highest casualty rate in the 54th. The severity of Artis’s wounds required seven months of hospitalization. He left the hospital on February 27, 1864. Elias Artis transferred to the 42nd U. S. Colored Infantry under the name “James.” After the war, he moved to Fort Wayne, IN where he spent the remainder of his days. Artis never received his $345 cash reward authorized by the war.
The 54th has secured a place in history. Sadly, Elias Artis never received the recognition he deserved.