George Rogers Clark
American surveyor, soldier, and militia officer (1752-1818)
Robert Gould Shaw
Union United States Army officer (1837-1863)
Robert Gould Shaw was a Union Army officer during the American Civil War, who commanded the first all-black regiment in the Northeast. He led his troops at the Second Battle of Fort Wagner, where he was killed, but his leadership and the regiment’s legacy inspired thousands of African Americans to join the Union forces, helping to turn the tide of the war.
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About the Robert Gould Shaw
Robert Gould Shawwas an American officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Born into a abolitionist family from the Boston upper class, he accepted command of the first all-black regimentin the Northeast. Supporting the promised equal treatment for his troops, he encouraged the men to refuse their pay until it was equal to that of white troops’ wage.
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. Although the regiment was overwhelmed by firing from the defenses and driven back, suffering many casualties, Shaw’s leadership and the regiment became legendary. They inspired hundreds of thousands more African Americans to enlist for the Union, helping to turn the tide of the war to its ultimate victory. Shaw’s efforts and that of the 54th Massachusetts regiment were dramatized in the 1989 Oscar-winning film Glory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Robert Gould Shaw was born on October 10, 1837.
Robert Gould Shaw accepted command of the first all-black regiment (the 54th Massachusetts) in the Northeast during the Civil War.
Robert Gould Shaw encouraged his troops to refuse their pay until it was equal to that of white troops’ wage, supporting the promised equal treatment for his men.
The leadership of Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts regiment inspired hundreds of thousands of African Americans to enlist for the Union, helping to turn the tide of the war to its ultimate victory.
Robert Gould Shaw’s efforts and that of the 54th Massachusetts regiment were dramatized in the 1989 Oscar-winning film Glory.
Robert Gould Shaw was shot and killed while leading his men to the parapet of the Confederate-held Fort Wagner in South Carolina.
Although the 54th Massachusetts regiment under Robert Gould Shaw’s leadership was overwhelmed and driven back with many casualties, their bravery and sacrifice became legendary.
3 Quotes by Robert Gould Shaw
- 1.
In theory it may seem all right to some, but when it comes to being made the instrument of the Lord’s vengeance, I myself don’t like it.
Robert Gould ShawUnion United States Army officer (1837-1863)
- 2.
If I could have gone on describing to you the beauties of this region, who knows but I might have made a fine addition to the literature of our age?
Robert Gould ShawUnion United States Army officer (1837-1863)
- 3.
I don’t want to write every week, it’s too much trouble, and I shall only write when I want something. If you think I’m sick when I don’t write, you can send for me to come and tell you.
Robert Gould ShawUnion United States Army officer (1837-1863)