I've watched the movie about him and the 54th Massachusetts, "Glory," repeatedly, and it always stirs me. I cry at the end every time. Denzel Washington won an Oscar, and quite deservedly. Matthew Brodereck, who played Shaw, gave a powerful yet restrained and dignified performance.
Robert Gould Shaw (October 10, 1837 – July 18, 1863) was an American officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Born into a prominent Boston abolitionist family, he accepted command of the first all-black regiment (54th Massachusetts) in 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 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 tens of thousands more African Americans to enlist for the Union and contribute to its ultimate victory.
BowTIE__Fighter on December 27th, 2019 at 02:01 UTC »
Is this what Glory is based off of?
aeldsidhe on December 27th, 2019 at 02:09 UTC »
I've watched the movie about him and the 54th Massachusetts, "Glory," repeatedly, and it always stirs me. I cry at the end every time. Denzel Washington won an Oscar, and quite deservedly. Matthew Brodereck, who played Shaw, gave a powerful yet restrained and dignified performance.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097441/
z0mbie55 on December 27th, 2019 at 02:18 UTC »
From his wiki:
Robert Gould Shaw (October 10, 1837 – July 18, 1863) was an American officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Born into a prominent Boston abolitionist family, he accepted command of the first all-black regiment (54th Massachusetts) in 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 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 tens of thousands more African Americans to enlist for the Union and contribute to its ultimate victory.