New York 31 July 1863.
To His Excellency
Abraham Lincoln,
President of the United States.
Sir:
My only son, Colonel Robert G. Shaw, of the Fifty fourth
Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, (colored troops) was killed on the parapet
of Fort Wagner, in South Carolina, & now lies buried in its ditch, among
his brave & devoted followers.
I feel that I have the right, in his name, to entreat you
that immediate measures be taken to extend the protection of the United States
over his surviving officers & men, some of whom are now prisoners, &
over all others belonging to the colored Regiments in the Service, when they
fall into the hands of the enemy. And this, not only as an act of humanity, but
as required by justice & sound policy.
Our colored soldiers have proved their valor & devotion
in the field; they deserve that their rights & the responsibilities of the
Government towards them shall be proclaimed to the world & shall be
maintained against all enemies.
If our son's services & death shall contribute in any
degree towards securing to our colored troops that equal justice which is the
holy right of every loyal defender of our beloved Country, we shall esteem our
great loss a blessing.
I am, Sir,
with great esteem
& respect,
Frans Geo. Shaw
SOURCE: This letter can be found among The Abraham Lincoln
Papers at the Library of Congress.
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