JOHN ALBION ANDREW


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This happened to be the famous Colored Regiment depicted so well in the movie, Glory. However, these sentiments were also given to other soldiers in the state. Fighting against slavery was not only the patriotic thing to do, not only the humane thing, not inly the civilized thing to do, but it was a Christian Religious duty. Similar sendiment can be seen much in speeches and literature of the time. The words of the Battle Hymn of the Republic is another example. Ending slavery was a Holy requirement of God.


There was extensive Northern opposition to the idea of Blacks fighting in the Civil War, even from some abolitionists who saw the war as a vehicle to end slavery. A few were concerned that Blacks would be executed by the South if they were captured, and hence would be exposed to unreasonable risk. Others, believed there was sufficient manpower and Blacks fighting would make the South fight harder. Many didn’t believe that Blacks were competent to be soldiers, and others didn’t want Blacks to develop the skills that would later enable them to compete for jobs with whites. Before Albion raising the 54th there were a few Negroes who were in Union uniform, but the concept of a Negro regiment was a much more visible, and controversial concept.


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John Albion Andrew
John Albion Andrew
  • Born: May 31, 1818
  • Died: October 30, 1867
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John Albion Andrew was an American lawyer and politician from Massachusetts. He was elected in 1860 as the 25th Governor of Massachusetts, serving between 1861 and 1866, and led the state's contributions to the Union cause during the American Civil War (1861-1865). He was a guiding force behind the creation of some of the first African-American units in the United States Army, including the 54th Massachusetts Infantry.