Emilio, Captain Luis

Luis Emilio was a first lieutenant who rose to become Captain of Company E of the Massachusetts 54th. Emilio was the son of a Spanish immigrant and thus was able to fulfill the Army's requirements that the officers of the 54th be white. He briefly acted as commander of the unit after the assault on Fort Wagner.

After the war, he lived on Essex Street. Though he spent his later life in California and New York City, upon his death he was brought home for burial. He is buried in Harmony Grove Cemetery.

After the war, he authored a book, "A Brave Black Regiment:the story of the 54th Massachusetts" which served in part as the inspiration for the feature film "Glory" starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman.

See Also

• Vertical File in Salem Collection - Emilio, Capt. Luis

• "A Forgotten History; Booklet looks at African-American past in Salem" Salem Evening News, Jan. 28, 1999, p.A1

• "Black History Month: Remembering the heroes of Civil War, anti-slavery movement" Salem News, Feb. 13, 1012, p. 7

• "These two Salem men served with distinction in the Civil War" Salem News, Sept. 19, 2006, p. B5