Re-enactors of the Civil War era all-Black Massachusetts 54th Volunteer Infantry Regiment, right, march to the grave of George Washington Dugan, a Concord farmer and private in the 54th who gave his life during  the storming of Fort Wagner, South Carolina, in 1863, during a dedication ceremony at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery on Saturday, July 15, 2023.  At left is the modern-day National Guard 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment,  a ceremonial unit named for the Civil War era 54th.  The regiment was memorialized in the 1989 film, “Glory.” 

Ken McGagh for The Concord Bridge

The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War bow their heads in prayer during a ceremony honoring George Washington Dugan, a Concord farmer who gave his life  during the Civil War while serving in the all-Black Massachusetts 54th Volunteer Infantry Regiment at Monument Square, Saturday, July 15, 2023.   Pvt. Dugan was killed during  the storming of Fort Wagner, South Carolina, in 1863.  Ken McGagh for The Concord Bridge

A member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War stands at attention during  a ceremony honoring George Washington Dugan, a Concord farmer who gave his life  during the Civil War while serving in the all-Black Massachusetts 54th Volunteer Infantry Regiment at Monument Square, Saturday, July 15, 2023.   The regiment was memorialized in the 1989 film, “Glory.”  Ken McGagh for The Concord Bridge

Rev. James Hairston holds  the burial service book he will read from during a ceremony honoring George Washington Dugan, a Concord farmer who gave his life  during the Civil War while serving in the all-Black Massachusetts 54th Volunteer Infantry Regiment at Monument Square, Saturday, July 15, 2023.  After the ceremony, Pvt. Dugan was buried with full military honors at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.  Ken McGagh for The Concord Bridge

The Hannibal Guards, a living history group dedicated to telling the story of Black veterans of the Civil War, fires a musket salute during a ceremony honoring George Washington Dugan, a Concord farmer who gave his life  during the Civil War while serving in the all-Black Massachusetts 54th Volunteer Infantry Regiment, at   Sleepy Hollow cemetery on Saturday, July 15, 2023.   The regiment was memorialized in the 1989 film, “Glory.”  Ken McGagh for The Concord Bridge

Soloist Merle Perkins sings “Oh, Freedom” during a ceremony honoring George Washington Dugan, a Concord farmer who gave his life  during the Civil War while serving in the all-Black Massachusetts 54th Volunteer Infantry Regiment at Monument Square, Saturday, July 15, 2023.  Ken McGagh for The Concord Bridge 

Brig. Gen. Mark Merlino, ret., salutes  after presenting the American flag to Merle Perkins of Boston,  during he dedication of a monument to George Washington Dugan, a Concord farmer who gave his life  during the Civil War while serving in the all-Black Massachusetts 54th Volunteer Infantry Regiment, at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery on Saturday, July 15, 2023.  With no  descendants available, Perkins, a soloist during the ceremony, was chosen to represent the Dugan family.  

Ken McGagh for The Concord Bridge

A Massachusetts National Guard honor guard member stands at attention at the grave of Pvt. George Washington Dugan of Concord at the conclusion of a dedication ceremony for the veteran of the Civil War era all-Black Massachusetts 54th Volunteer Infantry Regiment, at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery on Saturday, July 15, 2023.   Ken McGagh for The Concord Bridge