Luis Fenollosa Emilio

Birth: December 22, 1844

Death: September 16, 1918

Burial Location: Pansy Path

Luis Emilio was born to parents Manuel Emilio and Isabel Fenollosa. His father was a band leader and composer. The family was active in the abolition movement before the Civil War and Manuel Emilio wrote songs with anti-slavery themes.

Luis enlisted in the Union Army on October 19, 1861. He claimed to be eighteen, but was only sixteen years old. After completing his basic training, he was mustered into Company F of the 23^rd Massachusetts Infantry on December 4, 1861. He fought in the battle of Roanoke Island and was noted for his confidence and bravery. This resulted in a promotion to the color guard with the rank of sergeant.

After President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, there was a movement to form a Black regiment, although the commanding officers would all be white. Luis Emilio was offered a commission by Massachusetts Governor John Andrew. In addition, he received a personal letter from the regiment’s commander Robert Gould Shaw, asking him to join. He agreed and fought in several battles in South Carolina, and then in the battle of Fort Wagner. Ninth in line of command, he became the regiment’s acting commander. He fought in several more battles and was honorably discharged on March 29, 1865.

In 1867, he moved to San Francisco where he worked n real estate. In 1876, he married Mary E. Belden. They had a son, Victor Emilio. In 1881, the family moved to New York City. Luis Emilio was always interested in veteran’s affairs as well as in military history. He was an active member in veteran’s organizations. He researched and collected material regarding the 54^th regiment, and was often asked to write articles on the Battle of Fort Wagner. In 1891 he published a book, Brave Black Regiment: History of the 54^th Regiment of the Massachusetts Infantry 1863-1865. This book has been called the most thorough history of this famous regiment and provided source material for the movie Glory.

Luis Fenollosa Emilio died in New York City at the age of 73. He was buried in his hometown of Salem.

Sources Consulted:

• Book: Hope & Glory: Essays on the Legacy of the 54^th Massachusetts Regiment. Edited by: Martin H. Blatt, Thomas J. Brown and Donald Yacovone, Foreword by General Colin L. Powell; University of Massachusetts Press:2001.
• Internet:
  • Civil War Wiki: Luis F. Emilio.
  • Findagrave.com/memorial9375584/luis-fenollosa-emilio-citing Harmony Grove Cemetery, Salem, Essex County Massachusetts, USA.
  • National Park Service Article: Captain and Story Keeper of the 54^th Massachusetts Regiment, Boston African American Historic Site; Salem Maritime National Historic Site, Contributed by Sherry Gullen, Park Guide. Last Updated February 9, 2022.