Robert Shaw Civil War

Learn more about shaw in this article.

Robert shaw civil war. Despite his image in the 1989 film glory robert gould shaw was a reluctant leader of the famous 54th massachusetts infantry one of the first african american regiments in the civil war. Robert gould shaw october 10 1837 july 18 1863 was an american military officer in the union army during the american civil war. Following the attack on fort sumter the 7th nys responded to lincoln s call for 75 000 volunteers to put down the rebellion. Early civil war.

As colonel he commanded the all black 54th massachusetts infantry regiment. Robert gould shaw union army officer who commanded a prominent regiment of african american troops during the american civil war the 54th massachusetts. Robert gould shaw early civil war with the secession crisis peaking shaw enlisted in the 7th new york state militia with the hope that he would see action if war broke out. Robert gould shaw october 10 1837 july 18 1863 was an american officer in the union army during the american civil war born into a prominent boston abolitionist family he accepted command of the first all black regiment the 54th massachusetts in the northeast supporting the promised equal treatment for his troops he encouraged the men to refuse their pay until it was equal to that.

He died fighting alongside the regiment while assaulting fort wagner south carolina in 1863. With the secession crisis peaking shaw enlisted in the 7th new york state militia with the hope that he would see action if war broke out. At the time he took command of the 54th in 1863 shaw was 25 years old and had already taken part in several battles with his old regiment the 2nd. Traveling to washington the regiment was quartered in the.