John A. Andrew

John Albion Andrew was a lawyer and the governor of Massachusetts from 1861 to 1866. Before his election, Andrew was a lawyer for George L. Stearns and the two men cultivated a close friendship. Andrew was also good friends with black activist Lewis Hayden.

Stearns was the one who advised Andrew to start preparing Massachusetts regiments prior to the Civil War, which enabled Massachusetts to become the first state to answer President Abraham Lincoln’s call for troops. Andrew was also the one to allow Stearns to start recruiting black troops in 1863. Andrew was part of the committee to explore a memorial for Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment.