7. The 54th Massachusetts deployed to the South in the spring of 1863
After three months of assembly, training, and drilling the 54th Massachusetts departed Camp Meigs on May 28, 1863, marching through Boston to the applause of abolitionists, and the jeers of opponents of arming black troops. They were assembled at the wharves for transfer aboard ship, unaware of their destination for the most part. They arrived in South Carolina at Port Royal during the first week of June. Their commanding general David Hunter took one look at the model regiment which had been created by Shaw and assigned it to duty loading and unloading cargo on the temporary docks and warehouses which had been built to support the Union troops. Shaw was anything but pleased with the assignment.
As an officer, Shaw retained the rebellious streak regarding higher authority which he had exhibited most of his short life. Going over the head of one’s senior officers was regarded as contrary to military discipline in the army, but Shaw did so many times. Whether he used his knowledge of improprieties concerning the misdirection of federal property at the warehouses or not is unknown, but he managed to persuade his commander to reassign the 54th to a scene where it was more likely to see action against the enemy. On June 11 the regiment was assigned to participate in raids against towns in company with another all-black unit officered by whites, the 2nd South Carolina Volunteers.