Vincent

Robert Gould Shaw



Born: October 10, 1837 Home Town: Boston, Massachusetts Married to Ann Kneeland Haggerty in May 2, 1863 Political views: Republican Religious views: Born Christian Likes/Dislikes: The book Uncle Tom's cabin. Hates the South. Likes to go fishing and long walks on the beach. Occupation: Serves in the Army. Abolitionist Facts: They made a movie after me named //Glory.//

**A paper i wrote about slavery.**
What is Slavery, you ask me? Slavery is a horrible invention created by the lazy man. To make someone do another man’s dirty work is unbelievable to my understanding. And to whip him if he doesn’t do it, that’s just plain wrong. I was raised into being an abolitionist and I am for equal rights strongly. I believe as an abolitionist I have to fight for a right to be heard. To fight for a cause is human nature. That is why I made my decision to join the Union army. What better way to show my love for this country? After Harvard College I will join and fight for what I believe is right: the equality of man. I believe that every piece of one man’s flesh is equal to another’s. A black man is the same as a white man. I wish to end this plague on the United States and I think the only way to end it is to fight the South. I want to hurt the slave owners as they did the slaves. Because of the South one whole race is passive. Most of their spirits lack prowess and the will to fight back. I know of some who don't but a hundred people can't free all the slaves. After hundreds of years of slavery that is what happened to the African race. Their lives are empty and lack happiness. Their minds have slipped from them because of the commands the owners had asked them. Simple commands that you would give an animal to do. The South is a growing evil that we must deal with first hand. All that the South cares about is money and how much they can get slaves to work to bring in the most cotton. Our second right is the ability to bear arms and that is exactly what I’m going to do when I join the Union army. If we do not do something about these tensions they will eat America up and spit us out. That is why I will play a small part in this and I am going to fight for what I know is right.

Dear Anne, One year after Frederick Douglass wrote his speech, Fighting Rebels With One Hand, it becomes a reality. I remember reading it last year in September; it spoke about how the government is wrong to not let blacks fight in the war. And how this prejudice is nonsense if we are to win, we the Union. In Frederick Douglass’s words the union is fighting with one hand. But soon we will be fighting with both hands. The Union has issued a new all black regiment that I am to lead. It is the 54th regiment and the second one I have joined. There is a sister regiment also, it is the 55th and the second one to have only black soldiers. I am honored to see one man’s vision come to life by my hands and I am the one lead it. Our first mission will be to raid a city in Georgia next year. Not often does one man’s dreams become entwined with another man’s dreams, but when it does happen, there can be only success. I wish not to fail for my father, Frederick Douglass or myself but I do say I don't know if these men have what it takes to become a solider. They show great love for their country, their lives and feel honored to serve. Once these men show them self in battle I do believe I will see the trueness in their hearts and the love of their race. For there is no way to hide from yourself on the battle front. And with the most respect I will teach these men how to turn love and honor into justice for the African American race. Sincerely, Robert Gould Shaw
 * One of many letters to my wife.**

**How I feel about this war and President Lincoln.**
A Civil War. I didn’t believe that the south would go so far. But they have and they intend to bring all they got. As will I, for the past few years I have been training and honing my skills so they I will defeat the south in any cunning way possible. The South are insolent hillbillies wanting no more than money and laziness. It’s also the north’s fault as much as it hurts me to say. They could have stopped this earlier by outlawing slavery and keeping the rights equal. The 3/5 act is just nonsense. Comparing a white man and a black man like that is wrong. They both go through the same things, life, death, and compromise, but the only difference is there skin color. The Union had the power to stop this before it even happened but I guess they didn’t realize what was at stake. The whole country is in two now and I’m on the true side. Abraham Lincoln is the president running this year. He has a whole well thought out plan to end slavery and end the tensions between the north and the south. His plan is to attack if they attack first and if they do not surrender then he will issue a law declaring that owning a slave is illegal. I agree with his plan all the way and I feel honored to play a part in it. I only wonder what will my job be to end this.

Status Updates

1850: The fugitive slave act was passed today, I don’t really know what that means but my Dad said that tensions are starting to rise between the North and South. He also said that I should watch out for any suspicious behavior because he doesn't want me to get in trouble.

1852: My Dad bought a book today. The book is called Uncle Tom’s cabin, he said I should read it some time, it shows the evil that slavery is.

1856: I heard about a senator that got attacked for speaking against slavery. Personally I believe that we should abolish slavery and end the tensions.

1857: Today I got really mad when I heard Dred Scott lost his case. I think he should have won it but the court’s biased opinion proved him wrong. This is the South's doing.

1859: My ears picked up a hanging on a few black men that tried to capture some buildings. They tried to raid Harper’s ferry but got surrounded and tried. John Brown's plan was to start a slave uprising but he failed and got his men killed.

1860: I voted for Abraham Lincoln today, I hope he clears the tensions that are rising. I've been waiting for a man like him for a while, he better do his job right, the whole country depends on it.

1860 April: I didn’t want to be left out if a war started so I joined the 7th regiment of the New York Militia today. I hope we get called in soon; I'm itching to fight some Confederates.

1860 April: I’m glad I enrolled when I did because today there was attack on Fort Sumter. President Abraham Lincoln issued soldiers to come and guard the Nation's Capitol. My regiment was the first to respond, including 75,000 other soldiers were called and within three days they all came.

Photo Album:







My favorite marching song on those long tedious days media type="file" key="U S A MILITARY MARCH battle hymn of the republic.flv" width="360" height="270"

Bibliography

"A BIOGRAPHY OF ROBERT GOULD SHAW." //Kathy Dhalle// 1. Web. 25 Mar 2010. .

Martin, Kelly. "Top 9 events that led up to the Civil War." //About.com// 1. Web. 25 Mar 2010. .