The Shaw Memorial ...a monument to keep

[handmade34]

visited it at Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park... inspired the movie "Glory"

https://www.nps.gov/saga/learn/historyculture/the-shaw-memorial.htm

1n 1863, after the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect, President Lincoln agreed to recruit African American men into the army, though in segregated regiments led by white officers. The first of these raised in the north, was the Massachusetts 54th Regiment led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw of Boston, the son of staunch abolitionists. At the time, though, there was widespread erroneous prejudice among many in the army and government that African Americans would make poor soldiers and not be able to bear up in battle.

In July, the regiment was sent to South Carolina where an assault was planned on Fort Wagner guarding Charleston harbor. Shaw had asked to have 54th Regiment lead the attack. Of the 600 men in the attack that day, there were 285 casualties, and Col. Shaw was killed, but the men never wavered in the battle and demonstrated great courage and determination. Following this display of valor, other black regiments were formed, and by the end of the war 10% of the union army was made up of African American soldiers.

The monument depicts Shaw and his men marching past the Massachusetts State House on their way to South Carolina, Shaw erect on his horse, the men marching alongside. On the reviewing stand, along with Gov. Andrew, was Frederick Douglass who had worked tirelessly to convince President Lincoln to allow recruitment of African Americans into the army. Douglass's two sons, Lewis and Charles, were in the regiment.

[Solly Mack]

1. K&R

[jmg257]

2. Brought to the big screen in the great movie - Glory!