The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-06-01

Lvl, Wutn IN enlisted a. prtveS ~ IHe
Seventh rcwtncnt. New Yorx National
Guard on April 10, at fhs presidents
call for 1900 men, he marched With bis
regiment 10 Washington. ready for Inn
mediate service.
The call for the Seventh extending 20
cnIy 30 days. young Shaw applied for
and obtained a commission an second
lieutenant In the second Massachusetts,
and left with that regiment for the seat
OF war I'm July. 1861. lie took part In
those early conflicts OF the war. serving
Of Cedar Mountain an aid on General
Cordon's stan.
In 1863 Shaw had riren TO captaincy
In his regiment. Early In the year the
government had decided 10 form negro
regiments, and Captain Shaw WAS of
fered the colonelcy OF the first one raised
In Massachusetts by Governor j. A. An
drew.
command such a regiment, but being
encouraged by His superior officer to ac-
cept the appointment he finally decided
to do 80.
Captain Shaw reported to Boston TO
undertake the task of drilling and COM
manding the 54th Massachusetts, regi-
ment.
His efforts were 30 successful that on
May 28, 1863. ne had the regiment In con-
dition to report for duty. Colonel Shaw
was married May 26. 1868.
The troops saw considerable service
among the sea islands along the Caro-,
lima coast. and took part I'm several en-
gagements. The first actual battle
which they experienced. however. was
thA os,lt To tato
their conduct was such az to merit the
special commendation Of General Terry.
the commanding officer. The next en-
ployment Of the 54th was the memorable
attack upon Fort Wagner. July 10, 1863.
The honor Of leading the assault was
offered to Colonel Shaw by General
Strong, who commanded at that place.
The offer was accepted with enthusiasm
by officers and men, but as they rushed
forward at the double quick the mound
In their front belched forth a solid mass
of fame and iron. Still the black regi-
ment went on.
Colonel Shaw was at the head Of the
regiment. and as he gained the first RAM
part he stood for q moment with up
lifted sword. shouting. Forward. s%th."
Then he fell with shot through his
uSUat. AHc WHICH ue udO OveI
his men, and the circumstances Of his
heroic death. fully justified the wisdom
Of Governor Andrew in choosing him for
the responsible position Of heading the
first black regiment In New England.
Colonel Shaw was buried in a trench
outsidek the ramparts of Fort Wagner
with his colored troops. An effort to re-
cover his remains was checked by his
father. who said that a soldiers most
appropriate burial place is on the field
where he has fallen"
Colonel Shaw was well connected, be-
ing a relative OF the Sturgises and Park
mans and several other exclusive fami-
lies.
The widow OF Colonel Shaw II an in
valid, and, with the colonel's mother,
is now travelling In Europe. Neither
will be present at the unveiling of the
memorial. Mrs. Josephine Shaw Lowell
is resident of New York, and Mrs.
Curtis lives at Staten island.
This evening there is to be a welcome
and benediction meeting In Faneuil hall
to the veterans of the Fifty-fOnrth ard
Fifty-fifth Infantry the Fifth cavalry
regiment and the naval veterans. II will
be presided over by George r. Downing,
who was one OF the first men in Massa-
chusetts to organize colored troops
Governor Wolcott and Mayor Quincy are
| to te present, and addresses will be made
bv r,rOmtnient cttizeps