when they joined the 54th, soldiers were promised that they would be paid the same as white soldiers: $13 a month (plus food and supplies). instead, once they arrived in south carolina, the 54th was told they would be paid only $7 a month ($10 with $3 taken out to pay for clothing. white soldiers did not pay for clothing at all.) colonel shaw and many others immediately began protesting this rule. the state of massachusetts offered to make up the difference in pay. however, the entire regiment began to refuse to accept their pay on paydays as a form of protest.