Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins

In the tumultuous backdrop of the Civil War, Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins emerges as a towering figure, not merely a soldier but a beacon of resilience and honor.

His journey begins amid the grave markers of the Battle of Antietam, where the darkness of death looms large over the struggle for freedom. As a former gravedigger, Rawlins carries the solemnity of his past into a present fraught with challenge and sacrifice. His life intertwines with that of Colonel Robert Shaw, whom he saves in a pivotal moment, leading to his enlistment in the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment—the first all-black regiment, symbolizing a fierce challenge to entrenched racism.

Rawlins embodies the yearning for dignity and respect among his men, aspiring to forge connections between black soldiers and their white officers amidst deep-seated distrust. His wisdom, protective nature, and moral compass guide his comrades as they grapple with the harsh realities of war and racial prejudice. As they charge into the fray at Fort Wagner, his legacy is etched not merely in battles fought but in the struggle for acknowledgment and the fight for a brighter tomorrow.