Shaw, Robert Gould, 1837-1863

Variant names
Dates:
Active 1837
Active 1863
Birth 1850
Death 1931
Birth 1837-10-10
Death 1863-07-18
Gender:
Male
Americans
English, English,

Biographical notes:

Shaw, of Massachusetts, was colonel of the first black regiment to serve with the Union Army during the Civil War. He and over half his regiment were killed in battle at Fort Wagner, South Carolina on July 18, 1863.

From the description of Letters to his family and other papers, 1852-1947 (inclusive) 1855-1863 (bulk). (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 122468819

From the guide to the Robert Gould Shaw letters to his family and other papers, 1852-1947 (inclusive) 1855-1863 (bulk)., (Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University)

Robert Gould Shaw, the son of Francis George Shaw, merchant, lawyer, abolitionist, social reformer, and philanthropist, and Sarah Blake Shaw, spent his early years at Brooke Farm in Massachusetts, a utopian commune. When Brooke Farm failed, the family lived on the East Coast and in Europe. Robert attended schools in Switzerland, then Harvard. He worked briefly in New York but found his calling in the military first in the 7th New York Regiment where he served for 30 days until it was disbanded, then as a second lieutenant in the 2nd Massachusetts. When Massachusetts Governor John A. Andrew decided to form a black volunteer unit, Francis, Robert's father, personally delivered to his son the request to join. Robert was reluctant, being happy in his own unit, but finally agreed. He drilled the men at Fort Meigs, Boston. Gradually he got to know his men as individuals, and they grew to respect each other. He was killed at Fort Wagner, South Carolina, on July 18, 1863.

From the description of Letter to Francis G. Shaw, 1863 February 24. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 61113324

Links to collections

Comparison

This is only a preview comparison of Constellations. It will only exist until this window is closed.

  • Added or updated
  • Deleted or outdated

Information

Permalink:
http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6998x6m
SNAC ID:

Subjects:

  • Family records
  • Antietam, Battle of, Md., 1862
  • Armed Forces
  • Cedar Mountain (Culpepper County, Va.), Battle of, 1862
  • Civil War, 1861-1865
  • Emancipation Proclamation
  • Fort Wagner, Battle of, 1863
  • Winchester, 1st Battle of, Winchester, Va., 1862 (May 25)

Occupations:

  • Soldiers
  • Officers

Places:

  • United States (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • VA, US
  • SC, US
  • SC, US
  • NY, US
  • DC, US
  • MA, US
  • ,

SNAC Cooperative Logo

Social Networks and Archival Context

SNAC is a discovery service for persons, families, and organizations found within archival collections at cultural heritage institutions.

Sponsors

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Institute of Museum and Library Services
National Endowment for the Humanities

Hosts

University of Virginia Library
National Archives and Records Administration