The Berkshire Men of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment
The Other Side of Glory focuses on the men from the Upper Housatonic Valley who served in the 54th. It takes its name from the harsh reality that both before the war and after their return there was no glory for most of the men. The kick-off celebration will coincide with the publication of a new book “On the Other Side of Glory”, authored by David Levinson and Emilie Piper and published by Housatonic Heritage. The reception will include remarks by the authors and a book signing.
The “MASS 54th” interpretive trail is the most recent addition to the African American Heritage Trail, a program of the Upper Housatonic Valley National heritage Area. Known as the “Glory” regiment, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment was comprised of African-American men from Berkshire County (MA) and Litchfield County (CT) who fought valiantly during the Civil War, in the backdrop of our nation’s struggle to end slavery and racism.
