Letter from Colonel Edward Hallowell to the Governor of Massachusetts
11/23/1863
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This item is a copy of a letter sent by Colonel Edward N. Hallowell to Governor John A. Andrew of Massachusetts concerning unequal pay for colored troops. It is located in the volume of letters sent by the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts Infantry.
Additional details from our exhibits and publications
In this letter, Col. E. N. Hallowell—who took command of the 54th Massachusetts after Col. Robert G. Shaw was killed—declined the state’s offer to make up the difference in Federal pay for white and black soldiers. This was in accordance with the wishes of his men, who refused to accept any pay until they received the proper amount from the Government. Hallowell’s gesture parallels a scene in movie Glory where Shaw tears up his pay stub, stating that no one in the regiment will be paid until everyone receives the full contractual amount.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Adjutant General's Office.
National Archives Identifier: 594679
Full Citation: Letter from Colonel Edward Hallowell to the Governor of Massachusetts; 11/23/1863; Records of the Adjutant General's Office, Record Group 94. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/letter-from-colonel-edward-hallowell-to-the-governor-of-massachusetts, April 19, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.