By Irene La Bate, of the Shaw Memorial School, Charleston, SC. Dated 1872. 6pp, handwritten in ink, on lined paper measuring.

5 x 8” inches.  In fine condition, perfectly legible.

The Shaw school began as Shaw Memorial School in 1868 and was established in the aftermath of the Civil War to educate African-American children, many of whom had been born enslaved. Named in honor of the commander of the black 54^th Massachusetts Regiment, the Shaw school was located on  Mary Street and funded, in part, by donations from the black Union soldier stationed in Charleston as well the New England Freedmen’s Aid Society. In 1874, Shaw School became a part of the Charleston school system, serving African-American students ages 6-15, and was closed in 1938.

Text excerpts:

“In our pride and prosperity we little think of the noble, generous ones who gave up their lives, while in their youth, to place us in a position of equality among men. Such was Robert Gould Shaw , who was born of an aristocratic family of Boston….

In the attack of Battery Wagener, they [the 54^th] led the assault…the attack was hopeless from the first, they being exposed to the fire from all the batteries. Colonel Shaw was last seen on the top of the breast works, and nothing more was heard of him. A demand was made for his body, and the reply was “We have buried him with his niggers.” His stricken father’s reply was, he didn’t desire for him a more honored grave, and was glad that Bob had so good a body guard to Heaven….

So, perished in his manhood, his prime, and his strength, the noble, honored , and respected Col Shaw, a voluntary sacrifice on the later of Liberty for an enslave race. To our credit be it said, that we have erected for him a monument more enduring than marble…..though not professing to be a Normal Institution, yet from this school, there have gone forth, within the past year, several teachers…may we as members of this school, do justice to his memory by maintaining our self-respect, honor and integrity….

Written by Irene La Bate, of the Shaw Memorial School, April 9. 1872”

Excellent 54^th Mass./ Robert Gould Shaw collectible.