5. Massachusetts couldn’t find enough soldiers to complete the regiment
The 54th Massachusetts Regiment began recruiting soldiers at Camp Meigs in February, 1863. Camp Meigs was a training facility in Readville, Massachusetts, near Boston. When Shaw arrived there to take up his duties on February 15, 1863, the unit was far below its manning requirements. Boston abolitionists used their extensive networks across New England and the northeast to actively recruit soldiers for the new black regiment. Frederick Douglas joined in the recruiting effort, and two of his sons joined the regiment. Blacks already serving with the Union Army, as wagoners, cooks, and gravediggers were sought out and transferred to Camp Meigs. The unit was all-volunteer, at Shaw’s insistence.
Shaw’s colonelcy was dependent on the regiment being fully manned and prepared to depart the training camp by the end of May. Throughout March and April, the regiment was drilled by Shaw and his officers as additional recruits arrived and were absorbed into its companies. By mid-May more volunteers were in camp than were required to fill the regiment, and the 55th Massachusetts was formed to accommodate them. At the end of April, the 54th was armed, equipped with Enfield rifles and bayonets. Officers – all white – provided their own sidearms and swords. Shaw was promoted to full colonel that month, and the 54th was ordered to South Carolina at the end of May.