Page 27 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Boston

THE HIST OR Y OF BOST ON  25

popular stopping-off points were the
Second African Meeting House, the
home of Lewis Hayden (a former
slave), and John J. Smith’s barbershop
on the corner of Howard and Bulfinch
Streets. When the first shots of the
Civil War were fired on Fort Sumter
on April 12, 1861, President Abraham
Lincoln immediately asked volunteers
Irish immigrants, who poured into mid 19th-century Boston to enlist. The state of Massachusetts
answered the call first, sending 1,500
up around the city with the words “No Irish men within four days. As soon as African
Need Apply.” But despite these obstacles, Americans were admitted to the Union
the Irish rose in stature and by the end of forces, black soldiers started training in
the 19th century would dominate Boston Boston. The Boston Brahmin, Colonel
politics and other areas of the city’s life. Robert Gould Shaw (see p32) led these men
(the 54th Regiment of the Massachusetts
The Abolition Movement Volunteer Infantry) in an assault on Fort
Some of America’s most vehement anti- Wagner, South Carolina – Shaw and 62
slavery sentiment originated in Boston. members of the regiment lost their lives.
William Lloyd Garrison (see p32) published The battle is still remembered for the
the first issue of The Liberator on January 1, role played by African Americans, and
1831 calling for the unconditional abolition a monument (see p49) to it on Boston
of slavery: “I will not equivocate … I will not Common was dedicated on May 31, 1897.
excuse … I will not retreat a single
inch … and I will be heard.” Not all
Bostonians sym pathized with his
cause. To escape from angry mobs
he once had to seek safety for the
night in a Boston jail. Garrison and
other abolitionists (Charles Sumner,
Wendell Phillips, Frederick Douglass)
gave rousing antislavery speeches
in Faneuil Hall (see p65), and
accounts of their fiery oratory spread
across the United States. The city
also played an active role in the
underground railroad. Fugitive slaves
were assured a safe haven, and Attack on Fort Wagner by black soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts

1861 First shots at
Fort Sumter begin
1846 First influx of Irish 1852 Boston Public Civil War
immigrants into Boston Library founded
1820 1840 1860
Mural in the Boston 1863 The 54th Massachusetts
1831 First issue of William Public Library leads assault on Fort Wagner
Lloyd Garrison’s abolitionist
newspaper, The Liberator 1865 General Robert E. Lee surrenders. The Union is
preserved. President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated

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