Courtesy of the National Park Service
Biographical Summary
Louis Henry Douglass was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, on October 9, 1840, to Frederick and Anna Murray Douglass. He was well educated and apprenticed as a typesetter in his father’s newspapers, “The North Star” and “Douglass Weekly.” After the war, he worked as a teacher for the Freedman’s Bureau. When he moved to Washington, D.C., he worked as a typesetter in the Government Printing Office. He married his long-time love, Helen Amelia Loguen, in 1869. He suffered a stroke in 1907, which greatly impacted his health. He died September 19, 1908, at the age of 67, in Washington, D.C., and is buried at National Harmony Memorial Park in Hyattsville, MD.
Courtesy of the National Park Service
USCT Service
Louis enlisted in the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry on March 25, 1863. Shortly after he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major. He took part in the Second Battle of Fort Wagner and the Battle of Olustee. He was wounded in service and became severely ill forcing him to be medically discharged from the army in 1864.
Photo of Louis and Amelia courtesy of the National Park Service
Status of Pension Application
Lewis received a pension on February 2, 1904, after suffering a severe stroke. He died on September 19, 1908, and his wife, Helen Amelia Douglass, received a pension until her death on June 21, 1936.
Related Documents
Lewis Douglass was engaged to Helen Amelia Luguen when he enlisted in the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry. They frequently corresponded while he was away at war. This letter was written shortly after the second battle of Fort Wagner on July 18, 1863. Letter is transcribed in “The Mind of the Negro” by Carter G. Woodson.
MORRIS ISLAND. S. C. July 20
MY DEAR AMELIA: I have been in two fights, and am unhurt. I am about to go in another I believe to-night. Our men fought well on both occasions. The last was desperate we charged that terrible battery on Morris Island known as Fort Wagoner, and were repulsed with a loss of 3 killed and wounded. I escaped unhurt from amidst that perfect hail of shot and shell. It was terrible. I need not particularize the papers will give a better than I have time to give. My thoughts are with you often, you are as dear as ever, be good enough to remember it as I no doubt you will. As I said before we are on the eve of another fight and I am very busy and have just snatched a moment to write you. I must necessarily be brief. Should I fall in the next fight killed or wounded I hope to fall with my face to the foe.
If I survive I shall write you a long letter. DeForrest of your city is wounded George Washington is missing, Jacob Carter is missing, Chas Reason wounded Chas Whiting, Chas Creamer all wounded. The above are in hospital.
This regiment has established its reputation as a fighting regiment not a man flinched, though it was a trying time. Men fell all around me. A shell would explode and clear a space of twenty feet, our men would close up again, but it was no use we had to retreat, which was a very hazardous undertaking. How I got out of that fight alive I cannot tell, but I am here. My Dear girl I hope again to see you. I must bid you farewell should I be killed. Remember if I die I die in a good cause. I wish we had a hundred thousand colored troops we would put an end to this war. Good Bye to all Write soon Your own loving LEWIS
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Citing this article
African American Civil War Memorial Museum, Pension File Abstract Lewis H. Douglass Company F. 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry.
Sources
Lewis Henry Douglass – Biographies – The Civil War in America | Exhibitions – Library of Congress. (2012, November 12). [Webpage].
Woodson, C. The Mind of the Negro. Lewis Henry Douglass letter to Helen Amelia Loguen. July 20, 1863. (Washington, D.C., 1926), 544. Library of Congress.
