In February 1863, Shaw started to train the African Americans, many who had never held a gun before. When training was completed near Boston on May 28, 1863, there was high morale as the regiment left Massachusetts to fight in the South, but an issue with payment soon caused a problem. The black soldiers had been promised to be paid equal to what white soldiers were being paid; however, white soldiers were paid $13 dollars while the African Americans were only paid $10. Shaw fought for equal treatment, and he even refused pay until his black soldiers got equal pay. The regiment arrived at Hilton Head, South Carolina on June 3, 1863. While in the South, Shaw and his men were forced by another regiment to destroy Darien, Georgia, a town of white women and children. While his regiment did its job to take the town, the other regiment looted the buildings and hurt the women and children. Shaw was furious that he had to destroy the town but not be allowed to fight. What was the point of being a soldier? Shaw was different than the leader of the other regiment since he respected his men as soldiers and not as hired puppets. Shaw knew his men were ready to fight. The regiment wanted to prove itself. Shaw insisted he and his regiment lead the next battle at Fort Wagner, a dangerous mission that no one wanted to take on.
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