2353297 As some of you might know, the 54th Massachusetts was one of the first (or maybe the first) of several Union African American infantry/regiments. They were lead by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw of Boston (He is sometimes known as the Reluctant Hero, but he respected and treated his men equally and kindly. There is on story that tells of how when his men realized that they were being payed a different amount from the officers, Shaw is said to have ripped up his paycheck and said that no one would receive pay that month if it was unequal) On July 18, 1863, they lead a brave (but disastrous) assault on Fort Wagner. Colonel Shaw was shot several times and was buried in a mass grave with his soldiers (Their shoes were taken off and distributed throughout the Confederate Army, as shoes were hard to come by. His father felt that it was an honor that his son was buried in a mass grave with his soldiers.) Their courage is remembered to this day. The movie Glory is a true story of the 54th up to the assault on Fort Wagner. A good book on the 54th is Where Glory and Death Meet: Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Infantry. It is written by Russell Duncan. Today, 5/28/09, is the anniversary of the departure of the 54th Massachusetts from Boston to journey down South. On that day, good-byes were said with parades.
(I had also posted this on the American Civil War group discussion board)
(I had also posted this on the American Civil War group discussion board)