Born into slavery in Norfolk, Virginia, William Harvey Carney gained his freedom after his father escaped to Massachusetts and later secured the freedom of his family. Inspired by his faith and his love of country, Carney enlisted in Company C of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, one of the first officially organized African American regiments to serve in the Union Army.

On July 18, 1863, during the assault on Fort Wagner, the regiment's color bearer fell under heavy Confederate fire. Without hesitation, Carney seized the United States flag and continued advancing despite multiple wounds. Throughout the battle, he protected the colors and refused to allow them to fall into enemy hands.

After reaching Union lines, Carney reportedly declared:

In 1863, as African American men entered the Union Army in increasing numbers, Camp William Penn was established in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania.

Created specifically for the training of African American soldiers, Camp William Penn became the first federal training camp established for Black troops during the Civil War.

Here, recruits drilled, received military instruction, learned the routines of camp life, and prepared for deployment as soldiers of the United States Colored Troops.

The men who arrived came from different backgrounds. Some had been born free. Others had experienced slavery. Putting on a United States Army uniform represented far more than military service at a time when the nation was still confronting questions of slavery, freedom, citizenship, and equality.

Regiments organized at Camp William Penn went on to serve in the Civil War, including the 127th United States Colored Infantry, whose soldiers participated in operations around Petersburg and Richmond and in the final Appomattox Campaign.