Why was Robert Gould Shaw chosen to command the 54th Massachusetts?

Initially taking the command to appease his mother, Shaw eventually grew to respect his men and believed that they could fight as well as white soldiers. He was eager to get his men into action to prove this.

Who became the commander of the 54th?

The man to lead the 54th was Robert Gould Shaw. Shaw was a member of the 2nd Massachusetts and had already seen combat and was previously wounded at the Battle of Antietam. In February of 1863, recruiting for the 54th began and Shaw was promoted to colonel of the regiment.

What is Robert Gould Shaw known for?

Robert Gould Shaw, (born October 10, 1837, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.—died July 18, 1863, Fort Wagner, near Charleston, South Carolina), Union army officer who commanded a prominent regiment of African American troops during the American Civil War.

What happened to Colonel Robert Shaw?

He led his regiment at the Second Battle of Fort Wagner in July 1863. They attacked a beachhead near Charleston, South Carolina, and Shaw was shot and killed while leading his men to the parapet of the Confederate-held fort.

Where is Colonel Shaw from?

Dartmouth, MA
Robert Gould Shaw/Place of birth

What kind of troops formed the 54th Massachusetts Regiment?

The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment was the first military unit consisting of black soldiers to be raised in the North during the Civil War. Prior to 1863, no concerted effort was made to recruit black troops as Union soldiers.

What was the significance of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment?

The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry Regiment was the first Northern black volunteer regiment enlisted to fight in the Civil War. Its accomplished combat record led to the general recruitment of African-Americans as soldiers. They ultimately comprised ten percent of Union Army and Navy.

Why did Augustus Saint Gaudens create the Shaw Memorial?

The memorial commemorates the valiant efforts of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and the men of the 54th Massachusetts, one of the first Civil War regiments of African Americans enlisted in the North.

What is the legacy of the 54th regiment?

On July 18, 1863, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment attacked over the ramparts of the fort in a suicidal effort to weaken the Confederate defenses around Charleston. This was the first time that a black regiment had fought for the U.S. A major value of history is to enable people to learn from past acts.

How does Shaw ensure that his men will see action?

9. How does Shaw ensure that his men will see action instead of being relegated to labour details? Shaw approaches the area commander with a threat to expose the illegal activities undertaken by his command and is soon transferred to the front lines.

What did Robert Gould Shaw do in the Civil War?

Col. Robert Gould Shaw was the commanding officer of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, the first all-black regiment to fight for the Union during the Civil War. The story is told in the 1989 film “Glory,” with Matthew Broderick playing the role of Shaw.