The Heroic Epic of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw

As a re-enactor, you can choose who you want to be, and by working hard you can achieve your goal.  My friends used to kid me about looking like Matthew Broderick in the movie “Glory.”  To play along with it I went out and bought me a cheap used Yankee Shell jacket and some colonel shoulder boards.  I had my picture taken in Gettysburg and the storeowner thought it would be neat to post it in a sign out front of his store for spectators to see.  One night my buddy Colonel Metcalf recognized me in the photo.  Nobody knew it yet that I had bought a Union  jacket.  I already had a federal Frock coat and kepi for our (1861) early Civil War battles.  Then the truth came out and everybody in my battalion made cracks about this.  People made references to the movie “Glory” about me.  

Colonel Robert Gould Shaw as portrayed by John Miller

Now everyone knew that I was influenced by Robert Shaw and had done massive research on him during the Civil War.  I traveled to Charleston, South Carolina many times and visited the placed where he once stood.  I started to tell the true history (of Robert Shaw) re-enacting first hand Colonel Robert Shaw.  The funny thing was I felt a very strong connection to him that led me to the closest spot where he was actually killed at. The actual spot on Morris Island, (Morris Island is just south of Charleston and is mainly under water) where he was killed.  The famous lighthouse sets about 100 yards in the middle of the Charleston Harbor where Morris Island once stood.   

Many of you probably seen the movie “Glory.” It is supposed to be a true story about the famous colored regiment known as the 54^th Massachusetts.  Most viewers don't realize Hollywood sometimes make history up in order to have a good movie.  The movie “Glory” is supposed to be taken from the book called “Glory; One Gallant Rush” written by Peter Burchard.  The motion picture hardly follows the book.  The scene in the movie where it shows that the 54^th Massachusetts was at camp in Massachusetts of November 1862 is completely wrong.  The movie also made Captain Shaw look as if he willingly made his mind about making the position as colonel of a colored regiment in one day.  In fact his father had traveled to Frederick, Maryland to meet with his son at Maryland Heights in order for Robert to even think about taking the position. 

Robert Gould Shaw was born into a wealthy Boston family on October 10, 1837.  His family belonged to Boston's upper class, or Brahmin society, and was related by marriage to the powerful Cabot and Russell families. Shaw’s family was progressive; his mother was an abolitionist and his parents were part of Freedman’s Association, which they tried to influence their son.  He did not share their views. He wrote to his mother that "He did not 'see how one man could do much against slavery....I don't want to become a reformer, an apostle, or anything of that kind." 

At the age of sixteen, having no other professions that attracted him, Shaw told his mother he planned to join the army, instead he went into Harvard.  Shaw was unhappy, misbehaved, and ranked in the lower third of his class.  Due to his bad grades and behavior Robert finally dropped out. He left Harvard after only two years in 1858. He worked for two years in a counting house at a job which, according to one biographer, made him feel "Enslaved." Robert then traveled to Europe touring many different areas. 

Upon the outbreak of the Civil War in April of 1861, Robert enlisted in the 7th New York National Guard, Company F as a private on April 19, 1861.  The Civil War offered Shaw a much sought for opportunity as his first assignment left him stationed at Baltimore, Maryland during the time of the riots.  He then heard about a new unit from Massachusetts and applied for an officer’s position.  Robert was then commissioned on May 26, 1861 as 2nd Lieutenant of the newly formed 2nd Massachusetts Infantry.  He was then promoted to 1st Lieutenant on July 8th of 1862.  Robert Shaw would be promoted to Captain on August 10, 1862. 

He fought mostly in the smaller battles of the Shenandoah Valley and would survive the Battle of Antietam although he was wounded twice.  As winter camps were established, Captain Shaw was stationed at Frederick, Maryland near the present day Monocacy National Battlefield.  On Christmas Eve he wrote to his mother telling her about picket duty along the Monocacy Junction.  As orders came in, the camp packed up and moved to Maryland Heights and finally to Fairfax Station, Virginia.  (Not at Camp in as the movie portrayed.)

Meanwhile plans were under way back in Boston Massachusetts that included Shaw parents and the Governor.  These plans were to take free and slaved blacks and form regiments in order to secure a victory for the Union.  Adding several thousand soldiers to make up various black regiments.  Robert’s parents placed his name to the governor in hopes that he would be selected as commanding officer of what was going to be called the 54^th Massachusetts. 

Robert disappointed his mother when in 1863, after the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation he was offered a commission in the newly formed 54th Massachusetts the first "Colored" volunteer regiment.  He refused, as he did not want to be part of it.  Mainly because he was happy where he was.  At that time he was trying to gain a commission in a cavalry unit from Massachusetts.  He father and mother wrote letters requesting their son to talk to the governor and after Robert ignored these letters, his father was forced to take a trip to Frederick, Maryland to talk to his son about his actions toward the offer. Robert believed that one man could not change the course for these former slaves as he knew his parent’s influence was hard at work, since they were part of the Freedman’s Association.  Not believing that this war was about slavery, he was fighting to preserve the Union and then he later believed that the Civil War was for all men to be free who live here in this country. Colonel Shaw had no doubts as to which side was going to win. 

His father rode into Frederick and met with his son and personally asked him if he would accept.  Listening to reason, Robert then went home to Massachusetts to at least hear what the Governor had to offer. After listening to reason, he accepted the offer and was commissioned Major (Not Colonel as the movie portrayed) of the newly formed 54th Massachusetts in March of 1863.  As the recruits of the 54th Massachusetts mustered into service in April of 1863, Robert was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and then received his promotion of being a full Colonel of the 54th Massachusetts.  Some of these recruits were from Franklin County, Pennsylvania and possibility from Frederick County, Maryland as well as from Canada and other parts of the United States including the South. 

During training, Colonel Shaw was known to be a severe disciplinarian.  According to one officer, while training his troops, Shaw used "the method of coercion.... The unruly members...were stood on barrels, bucked, gagged and, if need be, shot."  Colonel Shaw's personality toward his men was strictly by the manual.  Being a veteran of the battle of Antietam, Shaw saw first hand the bloodiest single day of the Civil War known at that time.  His feelings toward his men were to make soldiers out of them.  He did not understand them and often wrote about the ways of the black man in his letters to his wife.  Letters saying about their music was different and not appealing to his ears.  Their ways of doing things was so different than his.  He grew to love them and stood up for his regiment when others in the War Department mocked them.  Colonel Shaw made sure that they had proper care such as equipment, food, and other personal needs. 

While training his newly formed regiment, he married Annie Kneeland Haggerty.  She belonged to a wealthy New York family. Robert's mother highly disapproved of their marriage.  Upon completion of their training, Colonel Shaw and his 54th Massachusetts were sent to James Island outside of Charleston, South Carolina.  Their first assignment was the raid of Darin, Georgia.  The 54th Massachusetts participated in this raid under Colonel Shaw’s Brigade commander Colonel James Montgomery.  Colonel Montgomery was southern man himself and had slaves of his own before the Civil War.  He created his force called Contrabands.  These were made up of Slaves that were freed in the Southern States. 

During this raid, 54^th Massachusetts was ordered to set fire to Darin, Colonel Shaw not seeing any Confederates witnessed first hand how these Contrabands stole, raped, killed civilians, and pillaged this town, Colonel Shaw stated the articles of war to Colonel Montgomery.  However, he was ordered to send forth a company of the 54^th Massachusetts to set fire to the town.  Colonel Shaw said, “ I will not”.  Colonel Montgomery then threatened him with a court martial for in subornation and gross conduct of unbecoming of a Union officer.  Colonel Shaw then ordered his men to burn the town but did so under protest.  Colonel Montgomery was responsible for the burning of Darin, Georgia.  Unfortunately, the Robert and the 54th Massachusetts was blamed to this act. 

After Darin, Colonel Shaw’s men were to used as slave labor on James Island. Digging trenches and earthworks Colonel Shaw was disgraced by the fact the 54th wasn't getting the opportunity it deserved.  Disgraced by the fact the 54th wasn't getting the opportunity it deserved, Robert finally wrote a letter home to get his men transferred to combat command which took place on July 13th.

The first baptism of fire for the 54^th Massachusetts came on July 16, 1863 Sol Legare Island, South Carolina.  Three companies of the 54^th Massachusetts was on picket duty when the Confederate Army moved out from James Island.  As the Confederates charged hand to hand fighting resulted.  Being overwhelmed by a superior force, the men of the 54th Massachusetts retired.  After falling back, the regiment of the 54^th Massachusetts was order to come onto line.  Colonel Shaw directed the fire of his until General Terry ordered the 54^th Massachusetts to fall back.

After a briefing on the defenses of Battery Wagner on July 18th Colonel Shaw requested to General Strong that the 54th Massachusetts lead the assault on Fort Wagner. Colonel Shaw thought it would be honored for his regiment to lead the assault on Fort Wagner.  Colonel Shaw wanted his regiment to prove themselves as soldiers as this was a very big task.  The leading regiment of this assault would receive the highest casualties, for Colonel Shaw this would be honored for his regiment.  You almost get the feeling that Colonel Shaw would give his own life to see his regiment prove themselves as fighting men to the United States Army and to it’s people. 

After three days of heavy naval bombardment, it was decided that it was time for the land assault.  Forming their battle lines, the men of the 54^th Massachusetts were ready to make the deadly charge.  With such courage at their side after seeing the layout of the land and the Confederate stronghold on Battery Wagner, they were ready.  Colonel Shaw took a moment to think about his achievements and what they were for.  He then dismounted his horse and took to his position to the front of the regiment.  Looking over his brave men, he was ready to make the charge.  This would be the last sunset and his last charge.  After several hours of heavy fighting Colonel Shaw and his men charge up the fort walls.  As Colonel Shaw shouted “charge” a Confederate bullet killed him.  Some sources state that Colonel Shaw was killed as he leaped inside the walls of Fort Wagner, while other sources state that he was thrown backwards never making it into the wall.  Colonel Robert Gould Shaw was killed on July 19, 1863. Shaw's own death during the assault made him a hero, a "martyr to freedom."  During the assault, 272 members of the regiment were killed, wounded, or captured. These losses helped prove the bravery and grit of African-American soldiers.

After the battle of Fort Wagner, the Confederates still occupied the fort.  One Confederate wrote that the charge of the 54^th Massachusetts was a site to see.  The glorious men of the 54^th Massachusetts held their ground with honor and valor.  As preparations were made for the burial of the dead, Colonel Shaw’s body was strip of possessions and then tossed into a trench with his dead soldiers.  Some sources state he was thrown in face down, but no matter the reasons he was not given the opportunity of a proper burial for an officer.  Robert’s relatives commented that he had a “Glorious Death” and had the been buried with his honorable men that he’d love so much, and that there was no other place he’d want to be.  Robert Shaw’s remains still are buried under the sand on Morris Island today perhaps underwater since most of the Island is now gone.  Since then Colonel Shaw and the 54^th Massachusetts have been cleared of any wrong doing during the Raid of Darin, Georgia.

Money has been raised for a monument of Colonel Shaw for his memory of his fateful charge, but instead, the money was used to build a school named after him in Charleston, South Carolina. I still would like to see a monument dedicated to Colonel Shaw and his 54^th Massachusetts for the blood they had shed.  There is one in Boston, Massachusetts, but it’s not where he was killed.  Some of the areas that still exist where the battle took place, but only can be seen by a private boat.

I have been to the furthest point of Folly Island where the Morris Island Lighthouse stands in the middle of the Charleston Harbor. There dressed in my Union shell coat and kepi, I wrote in the sand in honor of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and said a short prayer and took a cuff button and rip it off my jacket and threw it into the harbor in the direction of where he had fought. I then took another button from the front part of my jacket and buried it the sand.  The leadership and the courage he has shown make him on of my heroes.  The influence he has on my life as I studied and read all that is available guilds me in life as a leader to my unit, my battalion, and one of my reasons for writing this article so his legacy can still live on.  Colonel Shaw has always remained a true hero to me.