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Robert Gould Shaw was born to Francis Gould and Sarah Sturgis Shaw. In a family of four sisters with Robert being the only son.
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Robert Shaw's family moved to Staten Island, New York. There he was enrolled in St, John's College Roman Catholic School, despite being Unitarian.
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The family traveled to Europe and Robert continued his studies abroad.
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Robert attended college at Harvard University.
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Robert withdrew from college to work for his uncle in New York.
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Joined the Seventh New York Regiment and marched to the defense of Washington.
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He joined the Second Massachusetts Infantry as First Lieutenant. During the next two years, he rose to the rank of captain.
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Shaw avoided being wounded when a bullet hit his pocket watch.
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Shaw received a offer to command the first African-American regiment raised in the north, the 54th Massachusetts. Which he accepted.
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He arrived in Boston to begin recruiting.
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Robert Gould Shaw was officially promoted to colonel.
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Shaw married his sweetheart Anna Kneeland Haggerty in New York.
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At the age of 26, Robert Gould Shaw was killed while leading his army of all African-American soldiers to attack the Confederates at the battle of James Island.