The Journey Of Colonel Shaw

919 Words4 Pages

1. Initially, Colonel Shaw is somewhat distant from his soldiers, struggling to find a way to connect with them and earn their respect. He is also somewhat conflicted about the role that African American soldiers should play in the war, and is uncertain about how to lead them effectively.
2. As the regiment trains and prepares for battle, Shaw gradually gains the trust and respect of his soldiers. He became more confident in his leadership, taking a more hands-on approach to training and bonding with his men, he was adjusted to them as he was used to train and "white people". He also became more aware of the problems and struggles that his soldiers face, and that was shown when the soldiers have been marching for days in inadequate shoes, …show more content…

Through his journey, Colonel Shaw transforms from an inexperienced and uncertain leader into a confident and compassionate commander who earns the love and admiration of his men.
4. At the shooting range, Colonel Shaw sees soldiers boasting and betting about their shooting abilities, which he recognizes as unprofessional behavior, then he takes action to correct the situation. To make his point, he instructs the private to load his weapon and fire while he yells and fires a pistol next to him.
5. This approach to training was necessary for several reasons. Firstly, the soldiers of the 54th were inexperienced and had never been in battle before. By creating a realistic training environment, Colonel Shaw was preparing them for the challenges and dangers they would face in combat.
6. At the beginning, the soldier shot with high accuracy and never missed a single shot. When Colonel Shaw began yelling and firing a pistol next to him, the soldier was unable to shoot any of the bottles due to the fear and distractions caused by the simulated battlefield …show more content…

One of the main forces that brought the men of the 54th together was their shared goal and purpose. They were fighting for something greater than themselves - they were fighting for their freedom and the freedom of all African Americans. This common cause helped to unite them and give them a sense of pride and purpose. In addition, the leadership of Colonel Shaw was one of the main reasons. He was a compassionate and fair leader who was able to inspire and motivate his soldiers. He set high standards for himself and his men and worked hard to instill discipline, professionalism, and confidence in his soldiers. Through his leadership and example, Colonel Shaw was able to transform the men of the 54th from a group of recruits into an effective fighting