As a guess, he knew no other commander would volunteer for something that would be a complete slaughter. And, perhaps, as the Colonel of a black regiment, he knew if he didn't volunteer his men, they would be ordered to do it.
As a newly formed African American regiment partly composed of former slaves, they wanted to prove their equality with the white troops, and actively fight for their newly won freedom.
It was mainly made up of free slaves, it was led by Robert Shaw. They were most famous on their attack of fort wagner.
Summary of the action-Forces Engaged: 6,800 total (US 5,000; CS 1,800) Estimated Casualties: 1,689 total (US 1,515; CS 174) Description: After the July 11 assault on Fort Wagner failed, Gillmore reinforced his beachhead on Morris Island. At dusk July 18, Gillmore launched an attack spearheaded by the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, a black regiment. The unit’s colonel, Robert Gould Shaw, was killed. Members of the brigade scaled the parapet but after brutal hand-to-hand combat were driven out with heavy casualties. The Federals resorted to siege operations to reduce the fort. This was the fourth time in the war that black troops played a crucial combat role, proving to skeptics that they would fight bravely if only given the chance. Result(s):Confederate victory273 members of the 54th died in the failed attack on Ft, Wagner.
The attack by a brigade which included several regiments, including the 54th Massachusetts, on Battery Wagner was repulsed. Some of the attackers did make it to the interior of the fortification, but the Rebels rallied and drove them out. Battery Wagner never fell to the Yankees. Developments elsewhere around Charleston rendered the Rebel ability to continue to hold the battery questionable, so it was evacuated by its garrison and blown up as they retreated.
Colonel Shaw of the 54th Massachusetts volunteered to spearhead the assault upon Fort Wagner in order to demonstrate the courage and fighting ability of the African-American soldiers under his command. During the Civil War, there was a great deal of controversy about allowing African-Americans to join the Union Army. Many white northerners believed that African American lacked the bravery and the ability to become effective soldiers. Though the attack by the 54th was costly, it proved that African-Americans soldiers were just as brave as their white counterparts and encouraged more African-Americans to join the Union army.
Fort Wagner.
Fort Wagner.
He dies because the Confederates shot him because he was in front leading the attack.
becuase
The 54th Massachusetts infantry (coloured) regiment.
As a newly formed African American regiment partly composed of former slaves, they wanted to prove their equality with the white troops, and actively fight for their newly won freedom.
It was mainly made up of free slaves, it was led by Robert Shaw. They were most famous on their attack of fort wagner.
54th Massachusetts Regiment lead by Col. Shaw A statue commemorating this regiment stands in front of the Government State House on the square in Boston.
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., led the 1st US Volunteer Cavalry Regiment (The Rough Riders). The regiment was among the units to invade Cuba and noted for their attack on Spanish defenders at the Battle of San Juan Hill. Col. Roosevelt was shortly after elected the 26th Constitutional President of the United States.
He died from a heart attack.
Robert Gould Shaw(who was Caucasion) was the Colonel of the 54th Massachussetts Infantry. He died in battle during a Union attack against Fort Wagner on the North Carolina coast. He had been criticized before his death for leading the all-negro regiment. The North also had racial prejudice in its' midst. There was a movie after him. Its called Glory and was filmed in 1989. Robert Shaw was played by Matthew Broderick.
The confederates won.