~ African Americans gained constitutional rights after the Emancipation Proclamation. Blacks were then allowed to form military regiments commanded by white soldiers. The most famous of which was the 54th Massachusetts Regiment. Though the regiments were segregated, victories were won by both races including Fort Wagner. Over 180,000 African Americans served in the Union army, 80% of which were former slaves or free blacks from the South. They paved the way for the 13th Amendment in 1865.