exposed in the performance of
his duties during the action. He was also with his regiment at Antietam,
and was in the midst of the heavy fighting of that great battle.

Early in 1863, the Government determined to form negro regiments, and
Governor Andrew offered Shaw, who had now risen to the rank of captain,
the colonelcy of one to be raised in Massachusetts, the first black
regiment recruited under State authority. It was a great compliment to
receive this offer, but Shaw hesitated as to his capacity for such a
responsible post. He first wrote a letter declining, on the ground that
he did not feel that he had ability enough for the undertaking, and then
changed his mind, and telegraphed Governor Andrew that he would accept.
It is not easy to realize it now, but his action then in accepting this
command required high moral courage, of a kind quite different from that
which he had displayed already on the field of battle. The prejudice
against the blacks was still strong even in the North. There was a great
deal of feeling among certain classes against enlisting black regiments
at all, and the officers who undertook to recruit and lead negroes were.
exposed to much attack and criticism. Shaw felt, however, that this very
opposition made it all the more incumbent on him to undertake the duty.
He wrote on February 8:

After I have undertaken this work, I shall feel that what I have to do
is to prove that the negro can be made a good soldier... . I am inclined
to think that the undertaking will not meet with so much opposition as
was at first supposed. All sensible men in the army, of all parties,
after a little thought, say that it is the best thing that can be done,
and surely those at home who are not brave or patriotic enough to enlist
should not ridicule or throw obstacles in the way of men who are going
to fight for them. There is a great prejudice against it, but now that
it has become a government matter, that will probably wear away. At
any rate I sha'n't be frightened out of it by its unpopularity. I feel
convinced I shall never regret having taken this step, as far as I
myself am concerned; for while I was undecided, I felt ashamed of myself
as if I were cowardly.

Colonel Shaw went at once to Boston, after accepting his new duty, and
began the work of raising and drilling the 54th Regiment. He met with
great success, for he and his officers labored heart and soul, and the
regiment repaid their efforts. On M