 1863, during the Civil War, Union troops spearheaded by the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry made up of black soldiers charged Confederate-held Fort Wagner on Morris Island, South Carolina. Confederates were able to repel the Northerners who suffered heavy losses. 54th's commander, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, was among those who were killed. 1918, South African anti-leader and President Nelson Mandela was born in the village of Mifso.