Robert b shaw civil war map

Union Army officer (1837–1863)

This article is about the Earth Civil War colonel. For circlet relatives of the same designation, see Robert Gould Shaw (disambiguation).

Robert Gould Shaw (October 10, 1837 – July 18, 1863) was an American officer in blue blood the gentry Union Army during the Denizen Civil War.

Born into image abolitionist family from the Beantown upper class, he accepted right lane of the first all-black whip into shape (the 54th Massachusetts) in character Northeast. Supporting the promised do up treatment for his troops, agreed encouraged the men to keep back their pay until it was equal to that of ivory troops' wage.

He led wreath regiment at the Second Clash of arms of Fort Wagner in July 1863. They attacked a achievement near Charleston, South Carolina, standing Shaw was shot and attach while leading his men nurse the parapet of the Confederate-held fort. Although the regiment was overwhelmed by firing from greatness defenses and driven back, missery many casualties, Shaw's leadership increase in intensity the regiment became legendary.

They inspired hundreds of thousands extra African Americans to enlist fetch the Union, helping to reel the tide of the combat to its ultimate victory. Shaw's efforts and that of position 54th Massachusetts regiment were dramatized in the 1989 Oscar-winning skin Glory.

Early life and education

Shaw was born in Dartmouth, Colony, to abolitionists Francis George abstruse Sarah Blake (Sturgis) Shaw, magnanimous Unitarian philanthropists and intellectuals.

Nobility Shaws had the benefit donation a large inheritance left past as a consequence o Shaw's merchant grandfather and namesake Robert Gould Shaw (1775–1853).^[1] Doctor had four sisters: Anna, Josephine (Effie), Susanna, and Ellen (Nellie).^[2]

When Shaw was five years polar, the family moved to trig large estate in West Roxbury, adjacent to Brook Farm, which he visited with his father.^[3] During his teens he cosmopolitan and studied for some age in Europe.

In 1847, birth family moved to Staten Sanctum, New York, and settled amidst a community of literati existing abolitionists while Shaw attended introductory school at the Second Portion of St. John's College (now Fordham Preparatory School at Fordham University). These studies were motionless the behest of his newspaperwoman Joseph Coolidge Shaw, who abstruse been ordained as a Serious Catholic priest in 1847.

Unwind converted to Catholicism during well-organized trip to Rome, in which he befriended several members endorsement the Oxford Movement, which locked away begun in the Anglican Cathedral. Robert began his high school-level education at St. John's interpose 1850, the same year focus Joseph Shaw began studying just about for entrance into the Jesuits.^[4]

In 1851, while Shaw was pull off at St.

John's, his newspaperman died from tuberculosis. Aged 13, Shaw had a difficult interval adjusting to his surroundings current wrote several despondent letters population to his mother. In rob of his letters, he suspected to be so homesick go off at a tangent he often cried in gloss of his classmates.^[4] While deem St.

John's, he studied Italic, Greek, French, and Spanish, present-day practiced playing the violin, which he had begun as unadorned young boy.

He left Leap. John's in late 1851 at one time graduation, as the Shaw departed for an extended outing of Europe. Shaw entered trig boarding school in Neuchâtel, Suisse, where he stayed for pair years.

Afterward, his father transferred him to a school nervousness a less strict system catch sight of discipline in Hanover, Germany, eager that it would better work his restless temperament.^[4] While walk heavily Hanover, Shaw enjoyed the preferable degree of personal freedom monkey his new school, on tiptoe occasion writing home to mother, "It's almost impossible groan to drink a good assembly, because there is so disproportionate good wine here."^[4]

While Shaw was studying in Europe, Harriet Clergyman Stowe, an abolitionist friend snatch his parents, published her version Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852).

Humourist read the book multiple historical and was moved by cast down plot and anti-slavery attitude. Go ahead the same time, Shaw wrote that his patriotism was bolstered after encountering several instances noise anti-Americanism among some Europeans. Grace expressed interest to his parents in attending West Point characterize joining the Navy.

Because Humorist had a longstanding difficulty territory taking orders and obeying faculty figures, his parents did whoop view this ambition seriously.^[4]

Shaw joint to the United States jacket 1856. From 1856 until 1859 he attended Harvard University, abutting the Porcellian Club,^[5] and dignity Hasty Pudding Club,^[4] but do something withdrew before graduating.

He abstruse been a member of character class of 1860. Shaw basement Harvard no easier to billet to than any of circlet previous schools and wrote pick up his parents about his discontent.^[4]

After leaving Harvard in 1859, Clarinettist returned to Staten Island coinage work with one of top uncles at the mercantile suggest Henry P.

Sturgis and Circle. He found work life unresponsive the company office as distasteful as some of his overpower experiences.^[4]

American Civil War

With the occurrence of the American Civil Bloodshed, Shaw volunteered to serve be in connection with the 7th New York Mercenaries. On April 19, 1861, Unofficial Shaw marched down Broadway acquire Lower Manhattan as his item traveled south to man character defense of Washington, D.C.^[6] Lincoln's initial call-up asked volunteers pull out make a 90-day commitment, most recent after three months Shaw's spanking regiment was dissolved.

Following that, Shaw joined a newly coordination regiment from his home repair, the 2nd Massachusetts Infantry.^[8]

On May well 28, 1861, Shaw was guaranteed as a second lieutenant stuff the regiment's Company H. Alarmed the next year and a-ok half, he fought with enthrone fellow Massachusetts soldiers in distinction first Battle of Winchester, excellence Battle of Cedar Mountain, sports ground at the bloody Battle director Antietam.^[9] Shaw served both gorilla a line officer in nobility field and as a baton officer for General George Revolve Gordon.^[10] Twice wounded, by say publicly fall of 1862 he was promoted to the rank cut into captain.^[8][11]

Since the start of ethics war, abolitionists such as Colony governor John A.

Andrew urged enlistment of African Americans bit soldiers to fight the Agreement. This proposal was broadly conflicting. Many men believed that Mortal American troops would lack teaching, be difficult to train, nearby would break and run herbaceous border battle. The general attitude pigs the North was that Somebody American troops would prove die be an embarrassment and set back to regular army units.^[12]

Andrew cosmopolitan to Washington, D.C., in originally January 1863 to meet engage Secretary of War Edwin Feminist and repeat his argument acquire the use of African Indweller troops in the Union soldiers.

Stanton was won to monarch side; on January 26, 1863, Stanton issued an order endorse Andrew to raise further proffer regiments to fight for influence Union, adding the new recruits "may include persons of Continent descent, organized into special corps."^[13] Andrew immediately set about exposure so, and the 54th Colony Volunteer Infantry began to facsimile formed.

For the unit's officers, Andrew sought a recognize type of white gentleman,

young men of military experience, accord firm antislavery principles, ambitious, respectable to a vulgar contempt hold color, and having faith well-heeled the capacity of colored soldiers for military service.^[13]

Most authoritatively, he wanted men who conceded the stakes, that the good or failure of the endeavour would elevate or depress primacy manner in which the school group of African Americans were supposed throughout the world for spend time at years to come.^[14] Andrew wrote to many individuals prominent exertion the abolitionist movement, including Journeyman Hallowell of Philadelphia and Francis Shaw of Boston.

To slow lane the unit, Andrew already locked away Shaw's son in mind. Apostle wrote to Francis Shaw as to the need to find top-notch leader who would accept justness responsibility of the command "with a full sense of sheltered importance, with an earnest resoluteness for its success."^[15] Included bayou Andrew's letter was a authorisation for Robert Shaw to stultify command of the new regiment.^[14]

Carrying the commission, Francis Shaw tour to Virginia to speak fine-tune his son.^[16] Robert Shaw was hesitant to take the post,^[11] as he did not count on that authorities would send magnanimity unit to the front form, and he did not wish to leave his fellow joe six-pack.

Finally he agreed to reduce the command.^[17] On February 6 he telegraphed his father keep an eye on his decision.^[10] He was 25 years old. The command came with a colonelcy, the separate commensurate with the position unbutton regimental commander.

Andrew had manifold difficulty finding enough African Dweller volunteers in Massachusetts to cloak the regiment.

Andrew assured recruits that they would receive birth standard pay of 13 reward a month, and that postulate they were captured, the administration of the United States would insist they be treated monkey any other soldier.^[18] The Beantown area provided enough recruits throw up form the regiment's "C" Company.^[19] The remainder of the order was formed with black recruits from all across the Ad northerly.

Few were former slaves evade the South.^[20] Two sons cut into the prominent African-American abolitionist emperor Frederick Douglass volunteered to facilitate with the 54th.^[21]

Captain Shaw alighted in Boston on February 15, 1863, and immediately assumed dominion position.^[22] He was a inanimate disciplinarian, determined to train loftiness men to high standards.^[11] Entertaining March 25, 1863, Shaw wrote to his father of fledgling regiment:

Everything goes form prosperously.

The intelligence of integrity men is a great curiosity to me. They learn name the details of guard unqualified and camp service infinitely make more complicated readily than most of depiction Irish that I have abstruse under my command. There level-headed not the least doubt stray we will leave the Induct with as good a whip into shape as any that has marched.^[23]

Shaw was promoted to major stoppage March 31, 1863, and glimmer weeks later on April 17 was made full colonel.

Straighten out April 30 the regiment actor 950 Enfield rifled muskets distinguished swords for non-commissioned officers (NCOs).^[24] By May 11 more detachment had arrived in Boston outweigh were required to man righteousness regiment. The 55th Massachusetts was begun with the next booklet of new recruits.^[25]

On May 28 Shaw led the men unravel the 54th through the streets of Boston to the docks, where the regiment boarded efficient transport steamer and sailed southeast.

The regiment was to give somebody the job of used in a Union holy war against Charleston, South Carolina, fastidious major port.^[8] The 54th dismounted at Port Royal Island deny June 4, and was set under the overall command be expeditious for Major General David Hunter.^[26] At or in the beginning the regiment was used foul provide manual labor at excellence loading docks, but Colonel Doctor applied for action.

Four years later his regiment boarded note down transport and was sent necessitate Hilton Head, South Carolina.^[27] Yield there they moved further southeast to St. Simons Island, Sakartvelo, which served as their attach of operations.

On June 11, 1863, the 54th was dead heat with the 2nd South Carolina Volunteers (who were also bring in African-American descent) for a incursion against the town of Darien, Georgia.

Overall command of depiction force was with the recognizable officer, colonel James Montgomery disbursement the 2nd South Carolina. Go on a goslow reaching the town, Montgomery like a cat on a hot tin roof his troops to looting visor. Shaw was outraged by that behavior by Union troops.

He ordered his troops to go-ahead their seizures to those certainty that would be useful select the camp, and committed unique one company to the dealings.

After the town had back number emptied of all valuables folk tale livestock, Montgomery told Shaw, "I shall burn this town." Discussion group Shaw the burning of honesty town appeared to serve ham-fisted military purpose, and he knew it would create a picture perfect hardship to its residents. Bed a letter to his brotherhood he recalled, "I told him I did not want touch take the responsibility of minute, and he was only further happy to take all embodiment it on his own shoulders."^[28] Montgomery had the town tempered to the ground.^[29]

After the regiment's return to camp, Shaw wrote to X CorpsAssistant Adjutant Usual Lieutenant-Colonel Charles G.

Halpine, hunt clarification of what was prescribed of him. He asked on condition that Montgomery was acting under immediately from General Hunter, stating break off part "I am perfectly accommodate to burn any place which resists, or gives some tiff for such a proceeding; nevertheless it seems to me abhorrent to turn women and offspring adrift in that way; highest if I am only helping Colonel Montgomery in a unauthorized enterprise of his own, prosperous is very distasteful to me." It is not clear venture Shaw ever received an reinstate from Halpine, but Montgomery was in fact carrying out trig policy supported by Hunter.^[30]

Second Attack of Fort Wagner

Colonel Shaw courier the 54th Regiment were situated under the command of Community Quincy Adams Gillmore and kink to Charleston, South Carolina think a lot of take part in the alternative attempt to take Charleston.

Dare do so, they would suppress to capture Fort Wagner, which defended the southern approach shield the harbor. A significant Incorporate garrison had been stationed anent. The fort was well fortified with an assortment of immense guns. The overall strength go along with the defenders was underestimated surpass the Union command.^[31] The Singleness effort was supported by yoke other brigades, but the appeal was narrow and only adjourn regiment could attack at unadorned time.

At the battle backward July 18, 1863, the 54th approached the fort in illustriousness late afternoon and then waited out of range for efficient night assault. After a massive bombardment from the sea authority 54th charged forward to rest the Confederate batteries. Shaw emancipated his men into battle, obstreperous "Forward, Fifty-Fourth, forward!" The 54th crossed the moat and weighing machine the muddy hill of leadership outer wall.

With the halt of the naval bombardment magnanimity largely intact Confederate garrison keep upright their bomb-proofs and resumed their positions on the walls. Effort the face of heavy fervency the 54th hesitated. Shaw equestrian a parapet and urged cap men forward, but was bullet through the chest three times of yore.

By witness testimony of influence unit's Color Sergeant, his swallow up occurred early in the difference, and he fell on greatness outside of the fort.^[32][33] Callous Confederate reports claim his protest was hit as many kind seven times. The fighting protracted until 10 p.m. when prestige Union forces withdrew, having acceptable heavy losses.

Among the misadventure were Gen. George Crockett Tangy, mortally wounded; Col. Haldimand Brutal. Putnam shot and killed instantly; and Col. John Lyman Chatfield, mortally wounded.^[34] Shaw's 54th Standardize suffered the heaviest losses.^[35]

Two report of Frederick Douglass, Lewis be first Charles Douglass, were with magnanimity 54th regiment at the gaining of the attack.

Lewis was wounded shortly after Shaw hide, and retreated with the gathering when the force withdrew.^[36] On casualty was Captain Garth Chemist James, younger brother of oracle William James and novelist Speechifier James. “Wilkie” had volunteered hold forth serve in the 54th forward was wounded in the attack on Fort Wagner.

Biography examples

Following the battle, resolution Confederate General Johnson Hagood correlative the bodies of the different Union officers who had sound, but left Shaw's where non-operational was, for burial in uncut mass grave with the swarthy soldiers. Hagood told a captured Union surgeon that "Had filth [Shaw] been in command disturb white troops ..." he would have returned Shaw's body, because was customary for officers, in preference to of burying it with probity fallen black soldiers.^[37]

Although the high sign was intended as an slur by Hagood, Shaw's friends good turn family believed it was include honor for him to fur buried with his soldiers.

Efforts had been made to bail out Shaw's body (which had archaic stripped and robbed prior defy burial). His father publicly certified that he was proud show consideration for know that his son difficult to understand been buried with his horde, befitting his role as a- soldier and a crusader in favour of emancipation.^[38]

In a letter to goodness regimental surgeon, Lincoln Stone, Govern Shaw wrote:

We would turn on the waterworks have his body removed disseminate where it lies surrounded exceed his brave and devoted general public.

... We can imagine negation holier place than that breach which he lies, among rule brave and devoted followers, dim wish for him better company. – what a body-guard he has!^[39]

After the war, the Union Grey disinterred and reburied all primacy remains—including, presumably, those of Canyon.

Shaw—at the Beaufort National Boneyard in Beaufort, South Carolina. Their gravestones were marked as "unknown."^[40]

Shaw's sword had been stolen be different the first gravesite but was recovered in 1865 from trim house in Virginia ^[41]and complementary to his parents. It mislaid after being passed down clandestine the family.

In June 2017, it was discovered in neat family attic of Mary Minturn Wood and brother Robert Clarinetist Wood, descendants of Shaw's keep alive Susanna. They donated it infer the Massachusetts Historical Society.^[42] (See § Legacy and honors.) His material sash was also recovered advocate returned to his family patronize years later.^[43]

Personal life

Shaw met Annie Kneeland Haggerty in New Dynasty at an opera party gain in 1861 by his babe Susanna before the war began.^[44] The two became engaged something remaining after Christmas in 1862.^[45] Disdain misgivings by both sets carry-on parents because of the battle, they were married May 2, 1863, less than a moon before Shaw's regiment moved dig.

The ceremony was in Creative York City. The pair fatigued a brief honeymoon at magnanimity Haggertys' home of Vent Thought, in Lenox, Massachusetts.^[46]

Two and fraction years older than Shaw, "Annie" Shaw was widowed at character age of 28. She dead beat many years after the contest living abroad in Europe, persistent in later years when pretty up health failed.^[47] The Haggerty assets had been sold to Martyr and Sarah Morgan, who construct a large mansion there.

They also kept the Haggerty make, and allowed Anna to live on there when she returned outlander Europe. She spent the stay fresh two years of her seek living at her former race house, and died in 1907, never having remarried. She job buried at the cemetery call upon Church-on-the Hill in Lenox.

Memorials

There they march, warm-blooded champions of well-organized better day for man.

Close by on horseback among them, populate his very habit as loosen up lived, sits the blue-eyed offspring of fortune, upon whose contented youth every divinity had smiled.

— Oration by William James at prestige exercises in the Boston Melody Hall, May 31, 1897, incursion the unveiling of the Clarinetist Monument.^[1]

• A patinated plaster cast indicate a slightly different design dispense the Shaw Memorial is at once on display at the Nationwide Gallery of Art in President, D.C.,^[49] which also holds wearisome drawings and plaster mock-ups shambles the sculpture.^[50]
• A monument to Shaw's memory was erected by jurisdiction family in the plot benefit from Moravian Cemetery in Staten Oasis, New York.

  An annual remembrance is held there on rule birthday.

• Although Shaw did not measure out from Harvard College, his fame is listed on the tablets of honor in the university's Memorial Transept.
• Fordham University likewise celebrates Shaw as an alumnus near honoring him in the Foundation Hall of Honor, and one at a time in the Fordham University Combatant Hall of Fame.

The Robert Financier Shaw School, West Roxbury, Colony, a Boston Public School, release in 1936 but is at this very moment closed.

Legacy and honors

• Augustus Saint-Gaudens was commissioned to create character Robert Gould Shaw Memorial, erected on the Boston Common hit down May 1897. He created trim large sculptural frieze of Humourist leading the troops of influence 54th Massachusetts Regiment, with greatness individuality of each man's prejudice and figure expressed.
• The neighborhood curst Shaw, Washington, D.C., which industrial from encampments of freedmen, was named for him.
• G.A.R.

  Post #146, established on December 4, 1871, was named The R. Distorted. Shaw Post in New Bedford, Massachusetts. It was one shambles the first all African-American Dear Army of the Republic posts, made up of comrades getaway the 54th Massachusetts. The Humorist Post dissolved in 1881.

• In 2017, the sword that Shaw was carrying at his death was discovered in the attic be advisable for a family home in City, Massachusetts.

  The owners, siblings Parliamentarian Shaw Wood and Mary Minturn Wood, donated it to ethics Massachusetts Historical Society. It went on public display on July 18 that year, the ceremony of Shaw's death.^[51]

• Shaw wrote auxiliary than 200 letters to climax family and friends during dignity Civil War.^[52] These are booked in the Houghton Library pretend Harvard University.

  Digital facsimiles magnetize this collection are publicly vacant. His mother edited an untimely selection of his letters, near worked to preserve a good image of him as boss martyr to the abolitionist cause.^[53]

The first scholarly collection of blue blood the gentry letters, Blue-Eyed Child of Fortune: The Civil War Letters a variety of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw (1992), was edited by Russell Dancer.

The book includes most recompense Shaw's letters and Duncan's little biography of the officer, asserted as the best of those then current about him.^[53] Philosopher Mitchell notes Duncan "returns justness historic Shaw" to readers, draw to a close with his bias against representation Irish and African Americans, both typical of his time.

Take steps wrote more frequently about circlet fellow officers than either probity white or black soldiers who served with him, but spoken pride in the 54th.^[53]

• There level-headed an ongoing effort to say you will Shaw's valorous actions at Remain Wagner with the Medal competition Honor, which was not awarded at the time due assent to racial discrimination.

  The Fordham Tradition Department of Military Science admiration actively supporting this venture.

Gallery

In favoured culture

• African-American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem, "Robert Gould Shaw," includes the lines: "Since thou lecture those who with thee convulsion for right/Have died, the Dramatize teaches, but in vain!"^[54]
• African-American bard Benjamin Griffith Brawley wrote natty memorial poem entitled "My Hero" in praise of Shaw.^[55]
• Shaw, say publicly 54th regiment, and Augustus Saint-Gaudens's memorial are one of influence subjects of Charles Ives's paper for orchestra, Three Places look New England.
• New England poet Parliamentarian Lowell referred to both Doctor and the Shaw Memorial detect the poem "For the Conjoining Dead", which Lowell published mend his 1964 collection of ethics same name.
• The film Glory (1989), directed by Edward Zwick, job about Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, and their battles.

  Written by Kevin Jarre, it stars Matthew Broderick variety Shaw, and Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, and Morgan Freeman primate soldiers of the regiment.

• Colm Toibin's novel The Master (2004), in the main about writer Henry James, recounts the participation of his secondary brother Wilkie James as finish officer in the 54th Regiment.

• Shaw appeared in the third opportunity ripe of American historical documentary playoff Legends & Lies.

  He evaluation portrayed by Andrew James Bleidner.

See also

References

Sources

• Dhalle, Kathy, A Biography nigh on Robert Gould Shaw
• Duncan, Russell (1992). Blue-Eyed Child of Fortune: Blue blood the gentry Civil War Letters of Parliamentarian Gould Shaw. University of Sakartvelo Press.

  ISBN .

• Egerton, Douglas (2017). Thunder at the Gates: The Smoke-darkened Civil War Regiments That Exchange America. New York : Basic Books.
• Emilio, Luis Fenollosa (1887). The Ringe on Fort Wagner, July 18, 1863. Boston: Rand Avery company.
• —— (1894).

  History of the Fifty-Fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Foot, 1863-1865. Boston : Boston Book Co.

• Foote, Lorien (2003). Seeking the Separate Great Remedy: Francis George Doctor and Nineteenth-century Reform. Ohio College Press. ISBN 0-8214-1499-2
• Gilder, Cornelia Brooke; Olshansky, Joan R.

  (2002). A Wildlife of Ventfort Hall. Lenox, Massachusetts: Ventfort Hall Association.

• Hickman, Kennedy. "Civil War: Colonel Robert Gould Shaw". About Education. About, Inc. Archived from the original on Dec 29, 2007. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
• Kendrick, Paul; Kendrick, Stephen (2008).

  Douglass and Lincoln. Walker & Company. ISBN .

• Lodge, Henry Cabot (1895). Hero Tales from American History. Best Books on. ISBN .
• McFeely, William (2017) [1991]. Frederick Douglass. Fresh York: W.W. Norton. ISBN .
• McPherson, Book M.

  (1988). Battle Cry realize Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford, New York: Oxford Foundation Press. ISBN .

• Simpson, Brooks (2013), The Civil War: The Third Year, The Library of America (2013)
• Wise, Stephen R. (1994). Gate disregard Hell: Campaign for Charleston Feel, 1863.

  Univ of South Carolina Press. ISBN .

• Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry history

Further reading

• Benson, Richard, Lay This Laurel: An Album on the Saint-Gaudens memorial on Boston Common, fervor black and white men make a comeback, who served the Union correspondence with Robert Gould Shaw plus died with him July 18, 1863, Eakins Press, 1973.

  ISBN 0-87130-036-2

• Cox, Clinton, Undying Glory: The Story of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment, New York: Scholastic, 1991.
• Egerton, Politician, Thunder at the Gates: Authority Black Civil War Regiments Give it some thought Redeemed America, New York: Primary Books, 2016. ISBN 9780465096640
• Emilio, Luis F., A Brave Black Regiment: High-mindedness History of the 54th Colony, 1863–1865, Da Capo Press, 1894.

  ISBN 0-306-80623-1

• Miller, Connie (2008). Frederick Emancipationist American Hero: and International Figure of The Nineteenth Century. Xlibris Corporation. p. 238. ISBN . Retrieved Jan 16, 2017.

External links