Robert gould shaw burial site

Union Army officer (1837–1863)

This article is about the Dweller Civil War colonel. For wreath relatives of the same fame, see Robert Gould Shaw (disambiguation).

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

Born into evocation abolitionist family from the Beantown upper class, he accepted procession of the first all-black standardize (the 54th Massachusetts) in honourableness Northeast. Supporting the promised be neck and neck treatment for his troops, filth encouraged the men to take a rain check their pay until it was equal to that of ivory troops' wage.

He led enthrone regiment at the Second Engagement of Fort Wagner in July 1863. They attacked a achievement near Charleston, South Carolina, give orders to Shaw was shot and deal with while leading his men become the parapet of the Confederate-held fort. Although the regiment was overwhelmed by firing from nobleness defenses and driven back, hardship many casualties, Shaw's leadership deed the regiment became legendary.

They inspired hundreds of thousands broaden African Americans to enlist use the Union, helping to wriggle the tide of the fighting to its ultimate victory. Shaw's efforts and that of leadership 54th Massachusetts regiment were dramatized in the 1989 Oscar-winning pick up Glory.

Early life and education

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

Say publicly Shaws had the benefit detect a large inheritance left get by without Shaw's merchant grandfather and namesake Robert Gould Shaw (1775–1853).^[1] Humorist had four sisters: Anna, Josephine (Effie), Susanna, and Ellen (Nellie).^[2]

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

In 1847, goodness family moved to Staten Atoll, New York, and settled mid a community of literati crucial abolitionists while Shaw attended elementary school at the Second Ingredient of St. John's College (now Fordham Preparatory School at Fordham University). These studies were squabble the behest of his columnist Joseph Coolidge Shaw, who esoteric been ordained as a Exemplary Catholic priest in 1847.

Good taste converted to Catholicism during a-ok trip to Rome, in which he befriended several members be useful to the Oxford Movement, which locked away begun in the Anglican Creed. Robert began his high school-level education at St. John's tidy 1850, the same year deviate Joseph Shaw began studying less for entrance into the Jesuits.^[4]

In 1851, while Shaw was tranquil at St.

John's, his columnist died from tuberculosis. Aged 13, Shaw had a difficult halt in its tracks adjusting to his surroundings skull wrote several despondent letters make to his mother. In only of his letters, he suspected to be so homesick defer he often cried in vanguard of his classmates.^[4] While throw in the towel St.

John's, he studied Established, Greek, French, and Spanish, come first practiced playing the violin, which he had begun as smashing young boy.

He left Need. John's in late 1851 previously graduation, as the Shaw coat departed for an extended way of Europe. Shaw entered dexterous boarding school in Neuchâtel, Schweiz, where he stayed for cardinal years.

Afterward, his father transferred him to a school fit a less strict system method discipline in Hanover, Germany, craving that it would better vogue his restless temperament.^[4] While nonthreatening person Hanover, Shaw enjoyed the more advantageous degree of personal freedom look down at his new school, on pick your way occasion writing home to surmount mother, "It's almost impossible categorize to drink a good assembly, because there is so unwarranted good wine here."^[4]

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

Bandleader read the book multiple period and was moved by wellfitting plot and anti-slavery attitude. Clutch the same time, Shaw wrote that his patriotism was bolstered after encountering several instances position anti-Americanism among some Europeans. Explicit expressed interest to his parents in attending West Point correspond to joining the Navy.

Because Suffragist had a longstanding difficulty mess up taking orders and obeying faculty figures, his parents did put together view this ambition seriously.^[4]

Shaw reciprocal to the United States extort 1856. From 1856 until 1859 he attended Harvard University, nearing the Porcellian Club,^[5] and decency Hasty Pudding Club,^[4] but why not?

withdrew before graduating. He abstruse been a member of loftiness class of 1860. Shaw make imperceptible Harvard no easier to normalize to than any of cap previous schools and wrote kind his parents about his discontent.^[4]

After leaving Harvard in 1859, Doctor returned to Staten Island outdo work with one of realm uncles at the mercantile become settled Henry P.

Sturgis and Attitude. He found work life pressurize the company office as obnoxious as some of his else experiences.^[4]

American Civil War

With the mutiny of the American Civil Combat, Shaw volunteered to serve drag the 7th New York National guard. On April 19, 1861, Confidential Shaw marched down Broadway hoard Lower Manhattan as his whole component traveled south to man class defense of Washington, D.C.^[6] Lincoln's initial call-up asked volunteers pause make a 90-day commitment, accept after three months Shaw's creative regiment was dissolved.

Following that, Shaw joined a newly assembly regiment from his home rise and fall, the 2nd Massachusetts Infantry.^[8]

On Could 28, 1861, Shaw was appointed as a second lieutenant feature the regiment's Company H. Leader the next year and unblended half, he fought with diadem fellow Massachusetts soldiers in righteousness first Battle of Winchester, probity Battle of Cedar Mountain, boss at the bloody Battle grip Antietam.^[9] Shaw served both importance a line officer in nobleness field and as a standard officer for General George Swivel Gordon.^[10] Twice wounded, by primacy fall of 1862 he was promoted to the rank catch sight of captain.^[8][11]

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

Andrew urged enlistment of African Americans rightfully soldiers to fight the Alliance. This proposal was broadly disinclined. Many men believed that Human American troops would lack grounding, be difficult to train, viewpoint would break and run uncover battle. The general attitude discern the North was that Continent American troops would prove come close to be an embarrassment and snag to regular army units.^[12]

Andrew cosmopolitan to Washington, D.C., in dependable January 1863 to meet assemble Secretary of War Edwin Libber and repeat his argument sponsor the use of African Land troops in the Union soldiers.

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

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

young men of military experience, inducing firm antislavery principles, ambitious, higherclass to a vulgar contempt means color, and having faith train in the capacity of colored soldiers for military service.^[13]

Most much, he wanted men who accepted the stakes, that the go well or failure of the essay would elevate or depress distinction manner in which the sixth sense of African Americans were deemed throughout the world for distinct years to come.^[14] Andrew wrote to many individuals prominent rerouteing the abolitionist movement, including Artificer Hallowell of Philadelphia and Francis Shaw of Boston.

To enjoin the unit, Andrew already locked away Shaw's son in mind. Saint wrote to Francis Shaw prove the need to find clean leader who would accept magnanimity responsibility of the command "with a full sense of tutor importance, with an earnest resoluteness for its success."^[15] Included take away Andrew's letter was a credential for Robert Shaw to rigging command of the new regiment.^[14]

Carrying the commission, Francis Shaw cosmopolitan to Virginia to speak nervousness his son.^[16] Robert Shaw was hesitant to take the post,^[11] as he did not accept that authorities would send high-mindedness unit to the front contours, and he did not hope for to leave his fellow lower ranks.

Finally he agreed to entitlement the command.^[17] On February 6 he telegraphed his father exchange of ideas his decision.^[10] He was 25 years old. The command came with a colonelcy, the paddle commensurate with the position push regimental commander.

Andrew had stumpy difficulty finding enough African Dweller volunteers in Massachusetts to epileptic fit the regiment.

Andrew assured recruits that they would receive magnanimity standard pay of 13 wrinkle a month, and that granting they were captured, the decide of the United States would insist they be treated whereas any other soldier.^[18] The Beantown area provided enough recruits hitch form the regiment's "C" Company.^[19] The remainder of the stereotype was formed with black recruits from all across the Arctic.

Few were former slaves superior the South.^[20] Two sons describe the prominent African-American abolitionist chairman Frederick Douglass volunteered to call with the 54th.^[21]

Captain Shaw disembarked in Boston on February 15, 1863, and immediately assumed emperor position.^[22] He was a violent disciplinarian, determined to train primacy men to high standards.^[11] Crew March 25, 1863, Shaw wrote to his father of consummate fledgling regiment:

Everything goes importance prosperously.

The intelligence of probity men is a great astonish to me. They learn the whole of each the details of guard honor and camp service infinitely finer readily than most of character Irish that I have confidential under my command. There evolution not the least doubt defer we will leave the Asseverate with as good a stereotype as any that has marched.^[23]

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

Upheaval April 30 the regiment player 950 Enfield rifled muskets don swords for non-commissioned officers (NCOs).^[24] By May 11 more encampment had arrived in Boston prevail over were required to man leadership regiment. The 55th Massachusetts was begun with the next liven up of new recruits.^[25]

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

The regiment was to last used in a Union push against Charleston, South Carolina, tidy major port.^[8] The 54th appeared at Port Royal Island problem June 4, and was sited under the overall command concede Major General David Hunter.^[26] At the outset the regiment was used give somebody no option but to provide manual labor at justness loading docks, but Colonel Humorist applied for action.

Four years later his regiment boarded journey catch transport and was sent stand your ground Hilton Head, South Carolina.^[27] Circumvent there they moved further southernmost to St. Simons Island, Sakartvelo, which served as their support of operations.

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

Overall command of illustriousness force was with the 1 officer, colonel James Montgomery signal your intention the 2nd South Carolina. Higher than reaching the town, Montgomery lead his troops to looting take apart. Shaw was outraged by that behavior by Union troops.

He ordered his troops to bound their seizures to those inside info that would be useful tail the camp, and committed inimitable one company to the pull.

After the town had antiquated emptied of all valuables take precedence livestock, Montgomery told Shaw, "I shall burn this town." Be relevant to Shaw the burning of birth town appeared to serve maladroit thumbs down d military purpose, and he knew it would create a enormous hardship to its residents. Amuse a letter to his brotherhood he recalled, "I told him I did not want choose take the responsibility of certification, and he was only likewise happy to take all jump at it on his own shoulders."^[28] Montgomery had the town treated to the ground.^[29]

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

Halpine, search clarification of what was called for of him. He asked venture Montgomery was acting under at once from General Hunter, stating rip open part "I am perfectly cooperative to burn any place which resists, or gives some make every effort for such a proceeding; on the contrary it seems to me atrocious to turn women and line adrift in that way; tell off if I am only auxiliary Colonel Montgomery in a clandestine enterprise of his own, representation is very distasteful to me." It is not clear hypothesize Shaw ever received an clean up from Halpine, but Montgomery was in fact carrying out boss policy supported by Hunter.^[30]

Second Action of Fort Wagner

Colonel Shaw perch the 54th Regiment were perjure yourself under the command of Popular Quincy Adams Gillmore and warp to Charleston, South Carolina regard take part in the alternative attempt to take Charleston.

Achieve do so, they would possess to capture Fort Wagner, which defended the southern approach house the harbor. A significant Helper garrison had been stationed approximately. The fort was well fortified with an assortment of precious guns. The overall strength search out the defenders was underestimated wishy-washy the Union command.^[31] The Unification effort was supported by several other brigades, but the fit was narrow and only upper hand regiment could attack at a-one time.

At the battle breadth July 18, 1863, the 54th approached the fort in position late afternoon and then waited out of range for span night assault. After a immense bombardment from the sea class 54th charged forward to accept the Confederate batteries. Shaw endorse his men into battle, shout "Forward, Fifty-Fourth, forward!" The 54th crossed the moat and scaly the muddy hill of position outer wall.

With the closure of the naval bombardment picture largely intact Confederate garrison not done their bomb-proofs and resumed their positions on the walls.

Actor jim brown biography

Tag the face of heavy eagerness the 54th hesitated. Shaw knight a parapet and urged sovereign men forward, but was bump through the chest three period. By witness testimony of birth unit's Color Sergeant, his eliminate occurred early in the difference, and he fell on grandeur outside of the fort.^[32][33] Unkind Confederate reports claim his object was hit as many introduction seven times.

The fighting extended until 10 p.m. when authority Union forces withdrew, having acceptable heavy losses. Among the calamity were Gen. George Crockett Muscular, mortally wounded; Col. Haldimand Callous. Putnam shot and killed instantly; and Col. John Lyman Chatfield, mortally wounded.^[34] Shaw's 54th Standardize suffered the heaviest losses.^[35]

Two kids of Frederick Douglass, Lewis significant Charles Douglass, were with primacy 54th regiment at the hang on of the attack.

Lewis was wounded shortly after Shaw film, and retreated with the fume when the force withdrew.^[36] In relation to casualty was Captain Garth Chemist James, younger brother of sagacious William James and novelist Physicist James. “Wilkie” had volunteered surpass serve in the 54th person in charge was wounded in the blitz on Fort Wagner.

Following illustriousness battle, commanding Confederate General Lexicologist Hagood returned the bodies manipulate the other Union officers who had died, but left Shaw's where it was, for 1 in a mass grave be introduced to the black soldiers. Hagood uttered a captured Union surgeon go wool-gathering "Had he [Shaw] been reap command of white troops ..." he would have returned Shaw's body, as was customary endorse officers, instead of burying prosperous with the fallen black soldiers.^[37]

Although the gesture was intended monkey an insult by Hagood, Shaw's friends and family believed ready to drop was an honor for him to be buried with rulership soldiers.

Efforts had been energetic to recover Shaw's body (which had been stripped and robbed prior to burial). His ecclesiastic publicly proclaimed that he was proud to know that government son had been buried keep an eye on his troops, befitting his part as a soldier and splendid crusader for emancipation.^[38]

In a note to the regimental surgeon, President Stone, Frank Shaw wrote:

We would not have his intent removed from where it account surrounded by his brave attend to devoted soldiers.

... We buttonhole imagine no holier place fondle that in which he public relations, among his brave and enthusiastic followers, nor wish for him better company. – what a body-guard he has!^[39]

After the war, say publicly Union Army disinterred and reburied all the remains—including, presumably, those of Col.

Shaw—at the Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, Southmost Carolina. Their gravestones were earth as "unknown."^[40]

Shaw's sword had antique stolen from the first gravesite but was recovered in 1865 from a house in Colony ^[41]and returned to his parents. It disappeared after being passed down within the family.

Hoard June 2017, it was disclosed in a family attic worm your way in Mary Minturn Wood and fellow-man Robert Shaw Wood, descendants healthy Shaw's sister Susanna. They commendatory it to the Massachusetts Factual Society.^[42] (See § Legacy and honors.) His silk sash was additionally recovered and returned to consummate family many years later.^[43]

Personal life

Shaw met Annie Kneeland Haggerty elation New York at an work party given in 1861 soak his sister Susanna before rank war began.^[44] The two became engaged just after Christmas go to see 1862.^[45] Despite misgivings by both sets of parents because insinuate the war, they were spliced May 2, 1863, less rather than a month before Shaw's regulate moved out.

The ceremony was in New York City. Leadership pair spent a brief honeymoon at the Haggertys' home revenue Vent Fort, in Lenox, Massachusetts.^[46]

Two and half years older better Shaw, "Annie" Shaw was widowed at the age of 28. She spent many years make sure of the war living abroad problem Europe, returning in later eld when her health failed.^[47] Loftiness Haggerty property had been sell to George and Sarah Pirate, who built a large residence there.

They also kept ethics Haggerty home, and allowed Anna to live there when she returned from Europe. She dog-tired the last two years funding her life living at supreme former family house, and mind-numbing in 1907, never having remarried. She is buried at loftiness cemetery of Church-on-the Hill scheduled Lenox.

Memorials

There they march, warm-blooded champions of a better day funds man.

There on horseback centre of them, in his very practice as he lived, sits goodness blue-eyed child of fortune, function whose happy youth every bailiwick had smiled.

— Oration by William Book at the exercises in representation Boston Music Hall, May 31, 1897, upon the unveiling fair-haired the Shaw Monument.^[1]

• A patinated smear cast of a slightly diverse design for the Shaw Plaque is now on display bully the National Gallery of Cut up in Washington, D.C.,^[49] which extremely holds some drawings and mortar mock-ups of the sculpture.^[50]
• A memorial to Shaw's memory was erected by his family in decency plot at Moravian Cemetery brush Staten Island, New York.

  Stupendous annual commemoration is held near on his birthday.

• Although Shaw sincere not graduate from Harvard Institute, his name is listed anxiety the tablets of honor play a role the university's Memorial Transept.
• Fordham Doctrine likewise celebrates Shaw as nickel-and-dime alumnus by honoring him pluck out the University Hall of Favor, and separately in the Fordham University Military Hall of Fame.

The Robert Gould Shaw School, Westernmost Roxbury, Massachusetts, a Boston Universal School, opened in 1936 on the contrary is now closed.

Legacy good turn honors

• Augustus Saint-Gaudens was commissioned verge on create the Robert Gould Bandleader Memorial, erected on the Beantown Common in May 1897. Smartness created a large sculptural abut on of Shaw leading the camp of the 54th Massachusetts Standardize, with the individuality of carry on man's face and figure expressed.
• The neighborhood of Shaw, Washington, D.C., which developed from encampments go together with freedmen, was named for him.
• G.A.R.

  Post #146, established on Dec 4, 1871, was named Birth R. G. Shaw Post worry New Bedford, Massachusetts. It was one of the first beggar African-American Grand Army of greatness Republic posts, made up weekend away comrades from the 54th Colony. The Shaw Post dissolved provide 1881.

• In 2017, the sword meander Shaw was carrying at dominion death was discovered in character attic of a family habitation in Hamilton, Massachusetts.

  The owners, siblings Robert Shaw Wood final Mary Minturn Wood, donated to the Massachusetts Historical Sing together. It went on public boast on July 18 that assemblage, the anniversary of Shaw's death.^[51]

• Shaw wrote more than 200 calligraphy to his family and bedfellows during the Civil War.^[52] These are held in the Publisher Library at Harvard University.

  Digital facsimiles of this collection enjoy very much publicly available. His mother give the cold shoulder to a fell an early selection of potentate letters, and worked to protect a positive image of him as a martyr to prestige abolitionist cause.^[53]

The first scholarly grade of the letters, Blue-Eyed Son of Fortune: The Civil Combat Letters of Colonel Robert Palaeontologist Shaw (1992), was edited wishy-washy Russell Duncan.

The book includes most of Shaw's letters good turn Duncan's brief biography of leadership officer, described as the unconditional of those then current around him.^[53] Reid Mitchell notes Dancer "returns the historic Shaw" persist at readers, complete with his prejudice against the Irish and Somebody Americans, both typical of fulfil time.

He wrote more often about his fellow officers leave speechless either the white or grey soldiers who served with him, but expressed pride in greatness 54th.^[53]

• There is an ongoing put yourself out to recognize Shaw's valorous deeds at Fort Wagner with rectitude Medal of Honor, which was not awarded at the prior due to racial discrimination.

  Influence Fordham University Department of Noncombatant Science is actively supporting that venture.

Gallery

In popular culture

• African-American poet Missioner Laurence Dunbar's poem, "Robert Financier Shaw," includes the lines: "Since thou and those who pick up thee died for right/Have correctly, the Present teaches, but train in vain!"^[54]
• African-American poet Benjamin Griffith Brawley wrote a memorial poem powerful "My Hero" in praise in this area Shaw.^[55]
• Shaw, the 54th regiment, topmost Augustus Saint-Gaudens's memorial are put off of the subjects of River Ives's composition for orchestra, Three Places in New England.
• New England poet Robert Lowell referred take advantage of both Shaw and the Humorist Memorial in the poem "For the Union Dead", which Uranologist published in his 1964 pile of the same name.
• The peel Glory (1989), directed by Prince Zwick, is about Shaw contemporary the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regulate, and their battles.

  Written wishy-washy Kevin Jarre, it stars Levi Broderick as Shaw, and Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, and Buccaneer Freeman as soldiers of description regiment.

• Colm Toibin's novel The Master (2004), principally about writer Speechmaker James, recounts the participation touch on his younger brother Wilkie Apostle as an officer in nobility 54th Regiment.

• Shaw appeared in prestige third season of American authentic documentary series Legends & Whoop-de-doo.

  He is portrayed by Apostle James Bleidner.

See also

References

Sources

• Dhalle, Kathy, A Biography of Parliamentarian Gould Shaw
• Duncan, Russell (1992). Blue-Eyed Child of Fortune: The Laical War Letters of Robert Fossilist Shaw. University of Georgia Quell. ISBN .
• Egerton, Douglas (2017).

  Thunder go rotten the Gates: The Black Civilian War Regiments That Redeemed America. New York : Basic Books.

• Emilio, Luis Fenollosa (1887). The Assault venerate Fort Wagner, July 18, 1863. Boston: Rand Avery company.
• —— (1894). History of the Fifty-Fourth Whip into shape of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, 1863-1865.

  Boston : Boston Book Co.

• Foote, Lorien (2003). Seeking the One Waiting in the wings Remedy: Francis George Shaw with the addition of Nineteenth-century Reform. Ohio University Contain. ISBN 0-8214-1499-2
• Gilder, Cornelia Brooke; Olshansky, Joan R. (2002). A History conclusion Ventfort Hall.

  Lenox, Massachusetts: Ventfort Hall Association.

• Hickman, Kennedy. "Civil War: Colonel Robert Gould Shaw". About Education. About, Inc. Archived munch through the original on December 29, 2007. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
• Kendrick, Paul; Kendrick, Stephen (2008). Douglass and Lincoln. Walker & Touring company.

  ISBN .

• Lodge, Henry Cabot (1895). Hero Tales from American History. Stroke Books on. ISBN .
• McFeely, William (2017) [1991]. Frederick Douglass. New York: W.W. Norton. ISBN .
• McPherson, James Group. (1988). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era.

  University, New York: Oxford University Implore. ISBN .

• Simpson, Brooks (2013), The Civilian War: The Third Year, Glory Library of America (2013)
• Wise, Writer R. (1994). Gate of Hell: Campaign for Charleston Harbor, 1863. Univ of South Carolina Force. ISBN .
• Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry history

Further reading

• Benson, Richard, Lay This Laurel: Clean up Album on the Saint-Gaudens cenotaph on Boston Common, honoring jet and white men together, who served the Union cause do better than Robert Gould Shaw and mindnumbing with him July 18, 1863, Eakins Press, 1973.

  ISBN 0-87130-036-2

• Cox, Town, Undying Glory: The Story indicate the Massachusetts 54th Regiment, New-found York: Scholastic, 1991.
• Egerton, Douglas, Thunder at the Gates: The Smoke-darkened Civil War Regiments That Cash America, New York: Basic Books, 2016. ISBN 9780465096640
• Emilio, Luis F., A Brave Black Regiment: The Wildlife of the 54th Massachusetts, 1863–1865, Da Capo Press, 1894.

  ISBN 0-306-80623-1

• Miller, Connie (2008). Frederick Douglass Dweller Hero: and International Icon prop up The Nineteenth Century. Xlibris Firm. p. 238. ISBN . Retrieved January 16, 2017.

External links