William Carney Carries the Flag: The Heroic Journey of a Black Civil War Soldier

The true story of a brave Civil War soldier from the first Black regiment who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

An inspiring nonfiction picture book for ages 7-10 from award-winning author-illustrator duo Gary Golio and E. B. Lewis.

During the Civil War battle at Fort Wagner in South Carolina, William Carney performed a brave and noble act. When his regiment’s color guard carrying the United States flag was injured, William picked up the flag himself. Despite being shot several times and injured, William carried the flag across the battlefield to Union lines, making him a hero.

For Carney and other men of the 54th Massachusetts—the first official Black regiment of the Union Army, immortalized in the movie Glory—the flag was more than a piece of cloth. It was a near-sacred thing that represented a more just America where they might be free.

William Carney was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for this act, defying widespread racial discrimination and prejudice. This book celebrates his remarkable life with forceful prose by Gary Golio and dramatic watercolors by award-winning artist E. B. Lewis.