8. Why did Colonel Shaw decide to take the colonelcy of the 54th Massachusetts when he knew that it would probably lead to his death

Colonel Shaw decided to take the colonelcy of the 54th Massachusetts because he considered the cause of abolition more important than his own life.

Explanation:

The 54th Massachusetts infantry was the result of the first call of black soldiers in the Union army by Governor John A. Andrew in February 1863.

Robert Gould Shaw, a white man decided to lead the 54th Massachusetts knowing that it would lead to his death because he knew that it was worth to loose his life for the cause of abolition, they were fighting for. The 54th Massachusetts were able to push Confederate army hundred yards behind line. But because of gun firing by the Confederate on Unions, they had to step back. Though the Union stepped back from the ground, they lost brave colonel, Robert Shaw in the combat.