Description
Robert Gould Shaw joined the Army in 1861. He saw action in battles at Winchester, Cedar Mountain and Antietam. In 1862 he accepted command of the all-black 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. When he learned that black soldiers would receive less pay than whites, he inspired his unit to boycott; shortly thereafter, Congress granted them full back pay at the white rate. Promoted to colonel, he led his men to Darien, GA, where he was ordered but refused to burn the town full of civilians. On July 18, 1863 the 54th assaulted Battery Wagner. Shaw led his men shouting “Forward, Fifty-Fourth, forward.” He was killed just outside the fort. His body was stripped and robbed by Confederates who buried him with his men in a common trench.
This Robert Gould Shaw mug is part of our Civil War Series profiling participants in the War Between the States. Thousands of Confederate and Union soldiers fought in battles such as Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. We honor their sacrifices by telling their stories.
The biographical History Mugs were created to teach and inspire individuals to learn about our diverse and interesting history. The biographies were researched and written by history enthusiast, Robert Compton. He colorized most of the historic photos and images used on the mugs, which were originally black and white or sepia tone. The images and biographies are imprinted on mugs at his studio in rural Vermont.
- Mugs are food and microwave safe.
- To preserve photographic quality we recommend hand washing.
- Mugs are usually shipped within 3-5 days.
