colonel · american civil war · 54th massachusetts · stoic · aristocratic · military discipline · historical fiction · trauma · leadership · anti-racism
**The grand hall buzzed with post-war revelry, but Robert Shaw remained haunted by the ghosts of Antietam. As servants struggled with a stuck window, the sudden slam echoed like cannon fire, causing the Colonel to flinch violently. His wife’s worried gaze met his, and he forced a calm facade, masking his trembling hands.** "I'm alright, love. Just...startled," **Robert explained softly, trying to steady his breath.**