Glory (1989)

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Glory (1989)

Post by bunniefuu »

One. One.

One, two, one.

One. One.

One, two, one.

Dear Mother:

I hope you are keeping well and
not worrying too much about me.

You mustn't think that any of
us are going to be k*lled...

for they are collecting
such a force

here that an att*ck
would be insane.

The Massachusetts men passed
through here this morning.

How grand it is to
meet the men from

all the states, east and west...

down here ready to fight
for their country...

as the old fellows did
in the Revolution.

But this time we must make
it a whole country...

for all who live here,
so that all can speak.

Before this w*r began...

many of my regiment had
never seen a n*gro.

Now the roads are choked
with the dispossessed.

We fight for men and women whose
poetry is not yet written...

but which will presently be as
enviable and as renowned as any.

Last night we heard of
yet another defeat.

But we are not disheartened.

I am honoured to be part of
such a splendid company.

They have made me captain, of
which I am enormously proud.

You would think it
strange to see me

giving orders to a hundred men...

most of whom are older than I am.

Thank you for sending
my volume of Emerson.

His words come home
to me like truth.

"A deep man," he says, "believes
that the evil eye can wither...

that the heart's
blessing can heal...

and that love can
overcome all odds."

My dearest love to Father.

Your son, Robert.

Company, forward.

- Charge.
- Fire.

Fire.

Ready, men?

Fire.

- Aim.
- Aim.

- Fire.
- Fire.

Stand. Fire.

Steady, boys.

- Forward.
- Fire.

Fire.

Forward, men. Forward.

For God's sake, come on.

Fire.

Robert, come on.
We must fall back.

No. Forbes.

Forbes.

Charge.

You all right there, captain?

Please. Not my leg.

- Where's the chloroform?
- Stop.

Stop.

No. Wait.

- No.
- Hold on.

So it's the neck, right, captain?

Well, the surgeons are all
busy, but I'll fix you up.

All right, I'll just...

- Let me know if I hurt you.
- Stop.

Oh, this is nothing.

- Heard the latest?
- What's that?

Well, I heard it from a friend
who's a dispatch rider...

who got it from a
friend who's one of

Stanton's clerks
in the w*r Office.

He says Lincoln is gonna issue
an emancipation proclamation.

Gonna free the slaves.

What?

Maybe not in the border
states or something...

but he's gonna free
some of them, anyway.

- My God.
- Yeah.

Would've done it sooner, only he
was waiting on a big victory...

which is, I guess, what this is.

Oh, my God.

Please don't cut any more, please.

Please.

This might hurt you,
captain. I'm sorry.

Thank you.

Dashing.

- Robert.
- Thomas.

Captain Shaw. I was so
proud when I heard.

Well, they had no choice. All
the other officers are dead.

- And Forbes?
- Impossible, as always.

He's around here somewhere.

How about you?

Working for your father, helping
him with the resettlement...

for the Freedmen's
Relief Association.

There's a shortage of housing.

Robert. Are you all right?

Yes. I'm sorry.

Robert. Darling, there's someone
who wishes to meet you.

General Hunter rounded up a bunch
of slaves from the fields...

called them "contraband" and
put them in camps like cattle.

Then the w*r Department decided to
issue them pikes rather than g*ns.

Of course they
deserted. So would I.

Robert.

Governor, you know my son Robert.

Yes, good to see
you again, Robert.

Governor Andrew.

Robert, have you met
Frederick Douglass?

Mr Douglass.

I understand you were at Antietam.

Yes.

A great and a terrible day.

Well, I could use
your help, Robert.

The governor is proposing to raise
a regiment of n*gro soldiers.

No, no. It was not just my idea.
Mr Douglass and some of us...

We will offer pride and dignity...

to those who have known
only degradation.

Coloured soldiers, Robert.
Just think of it.

Wonderful.

I've submitted your name to
be commissioned colonel...

of the 54th
Massachusetts Infantry.

Thank you, governor. That's...
It's a wonderful idea.

Excuse me.

- Well done, Shaw.
- Well done, captain.

- Splendid job, young man.
- Bravo, Robert.

What's the matter,
chester? Too much punch?

I mean, I know how much you'd
like to make colonel...

but a coloured regiment?

You know how popular
that would be?

Handing out g*ns to a
thousand coloureds?

Hey, Robert.

What's wrong?

I'm gonna do it.

You're not serious.

Yeah.

- I want you to come with me.
- Me?

And you?

Can you picture me in
charge of a regiment?

Picture me in charge of anything?

I would be honoured to have you.

Well, then you're an idiot.

Rob, is it true? There's
to be a coloured regiment?

So it seems.

Then I am your first volunteer.

Present arms.

How do we look, colonel?
We gonna whup the Secesh?

Boss, when do we
get the blue suit?

- Yeah, the blue suit.
- Yeah.

- Ready to whip them Rebs.
- Ready, colonel.

- When are we gonna get to fight?
- Yeah.

Are we really gonna get
to fight this time?

Attention.

- Morning.
- Morning.

Good morning, gentlemen.

I am Colonel Robert Gould Shaw.

I am your commanding officer.

It is a great pleasure to
see you all here today.

It is my hope that
the same courage...

spirit and honour, which
has brought us together...

will one day restore this Union.

May God bless us all.

Yeah.

Form companies?

We will commence with
forming companies.

Company officers, take charge.

You recruits will report to
your respective officers...

by the letter of your company
in alphabetical order...

which is in the top left-hand
corner of your muster sheet.

- Good book, brother?
- Yes, it is, actually.

Name's Searles. Thomas Searles.

Jupiter Sharts, sir. What
it about, that book?

It's a collection
of essays actually.

Fourier, Emerson, all
the transcendentalists.

- It got pictures?
- No.

- Teach me?
- Yes, I'd be happy to.

Will you look at what's walking
in here. Look at them.

I'd rather have a
hog than a n*gg*r.

At least you could eat the hog.

Getting dark mighty
early around here.

Come on. Show us a little
dance, will you, boys?

Sergeant of the guard,
post your sentry.

Yes, sir.

Right there.

Shoulder.

Right file, right. March.

Wait, no. See, that's
my space, n*gg*r.

I sleep better
close-up on that door.

If you don't mind,
I'd prefer a space

with more sufficient
reading light.

Oh, I like it when n*gg*r*s
talk good as white folk.

I'd be happy to teach you.
It would be my pleasure.

Hey, look here,
snowflake, I ain't got

nothing to learn from
no house n*gg*r.

I am a free man, as was
my father before me.

- Oh, you free, n*gg*r?
- Yes.

Good. Why don't you move your free
black ass before I bust it up?

- Hey, hold up, buck.
- Nobody said nothing to you, pap.

It's all right.

I'll be fine over here.

Excuse me.

Wonder when they gonna
give us the blue suit.

Ain't give no blue
suit to no black

soldiers. Blue suits
for the whites.

Well, we soldiers now.

- Where you from, field hand?
- South Carolina.

South Carolina? Well, you ought
to know better than that, boy.

Hey, would you quit that?
Say, boy, quit that drumming.

Hey, hey, hey.

What's your name, boy?

I said what's your name, boy?

- Can't you see that he's mute?
- He what?

He's mute.

You mean this child can't talk?

Hey, come over here, hon.

Dummies and field hands.
Ain't that a bitch?

What about you there, buck?
Whereabouts are you from?

I'm from around Tennessee.

Ran away when I 12 years old,
I ain't never looked back.

Wh...? What you doing since then?

I've run for president.

I didn't win though.

Boy.

Come on, give us some food, man.

Major? Forbes?

That's you.

- Thomas.
- Hello.

- How are you?
- You know Charlie Morse.

- Charlie.
- Thomas Searles.

- Hello.
- Cabot.

So how was your meal?

The rémoulade was a trifle tart...

but the soufflé for dessert
more than made up for it.

And your comrades?

Charming. Extraordinary
conversationalists, every one.

Major Forbes.

A word, please.

Oh, excuse me, Thomas.

Yes, Robert?

I won't permit that
kind of fraternisation.

- It's only Thomas.
- He's an enlisted man.

You're right, of course.

I've sent for help.

These men need a proper teacher.

For God's sakes, men, you march

like a bunch of
crippled old goats.

Jesus Christ, we're
gonna be here day

and night until we get this right.

One, one.

Company, halt.

About-face.

You are ugly Mexican,
African f*cking whores.

We're gonna work on this
day and night, gentlemen.

Forward at the half step. March.

One. You half-wit black bastard.

Is it true they cut your
balls off at birth?

I'm gonna work on you, you
bastard, until I get you broken.

Company, halt.

For God's sake, do you not know
your right from your left?

No, no, no, sir.

How many here do not
know right from left?

Jesus, have pity.

This is your front.

This is your rear. This is
your right. And this...

Now you're learning, boyo.

Company, forward, march.

One, one, one.

- Two.
- One.

You bloody Hindus, get it right.

Stop. Start it again.
In each rank. Count.

Left. Left, right, left.

Right, on my word, march.

Left... Get your g*dd*mn hand
out of your pocket, soldier.

Left. Left, right, left.

Oh, look at this.
Bonnie Prince Charlie.

Are you a gentleman? Are you a
member of congress, or something?

Or are you the bloody
prince of Africa?

Don't look at me. Look straight
ahead. Look straight ahead.

I'll eat your ass up, boyo.

You know, the Irish
are not noted for

their fondness for the coloureds.

What about the uniforms?

Still no word.

The r*fles?

- Left. Left, right left.
- See to it.

You're a big buck. You're
tough, aren't you?

You've got a lot to learn. You
haven't had a master like me.

Dear, Mother.

The men learn very quickly.

Faster than white
troops, it seems to me.

They are almost grave and
sedate under instruction...

and they restrain themselves.

But the moment they are
dismissed from drill...

every tongue is relaxed and
every ivory tooth is visible.

And you would not
know from the sound

of it that this is an Army camp.

They must have had to learn this
from long hours of meaningless...

and inhuman work.

To set their minds
free so quickly...

it gives them great energy.

And there is no doubt that
we will leave this state...

as fine a regiment as
any that has marched.

As ever, your son, Robert.

They've done it.

Assemble the men.

Attention.

Battalion.

In accordance with President
Lincoln's wishes...

you men are advised...

that the Confederate Congress
has issued a proclamation.

It reads:

"Any n*gro taken in arms...

against the Confederacy...

will immediately be returned
to a state of sl*very.

Any n*gro taken in
Federal uniform...

will be summarily put to death.

Any white officer taken in
command of n*gro troops...

shall be deemed as inciting
servile insurrection...

and shall likewise
be put to death."

Full discharges will be
granted in the morning...

to all those who apply.

- Dismissed.
- Dismissed.

If you're not here
in the morning...

I understand.

Still want that blue suit, n*gg*r?

- Good morning, major.
- Sir. Formed and ready, sir.

How many are left?

Attention.

Battalion.

Glory hallelujah.

One. One, two, one.

One, one. One, two, one.

Company, halt.

You're not dismissed,
boyo. Get up.

You'll fall out when I say and
not before. Do you understand?

I said, get up.

Sergeant major.

- Sir.
- At ease, sergeant.

I have no doubt that you
are a fair man, Mulcahy.

I wonder if you are treating
these men too hard.

You disagree?

- You may speak freely.
- The boy's your friend, is he?

We grew up together, yes.

Let him grow up some more.

- I see.
- Will that be all, sir?

Yes.

Dismissed.

- Order.
- Order.

Fifty-seven calibre Enfield r*fle

musket. Best in the
world here, boy.

Sharts.

"11911 ."

Think you can handle that, boy?

sh*t, I can knock
something down with this.

Trip.

"12192."

- Beautiful.
- Hawkins.

"12186."

- Jefferson.
- Yes, sir.

Robert.

Finally.

There's a rumour going around...

that we're to be used
only for manual labour.

I can't believe the
kind of things we hear.

It's not true, is it? I mean,
about not being allowed to fight.

The men are all living for
that day. I know I am.

- Fletch.
- Don't bother about him.

- He's just ignorant.
- Excuse me.

For God's sake, come on.

Good sh*t, man.

Do that again. Here, give him
your w*apon. Give him that.

Do that again.

- One dime, he can't do it.
- Dime? Dime on each of you.

- I want money.
- That's a bet.

- Go on, boy.
- Go ahead. Go ahead, Sharts.

- That's a dime on each of you.
- Double or nothing.

Attention, company.

As you were.

Front and centre.

You're a good sh*t, private.

Thank you, sir. Squirrel hunting.

- You ever k*lled a man?
- No, sir.

- But you're handy with a g*n.
- Yes, sir.

Reload.

Faster.

Faster.

Discharge your w*apon.

Do it.

Now do it again. Only this
time, I want it done quickly.

A good man can fire three
aimed sh*ts in a minute.

Major Forbes, give me
your Colt revolver.

- What?
- Your g*n.

Give it to me.

Faster.

Reload.

Quickly. Faster.

Faster. Load.

Faster.

Do it. Do it.

Do it.

Teach them properly, major.

Yes, sir.

Attention, company.

Ready.

Aim.

Fire.

Good morning, major.
You're up early.

I wanna talk to you.

Certainly.

If you wouldn't mind getting
down from your horse.

Better?

Why do you treat the
men this way, Robert?

How should I treat them?

Like men?

And what about Thomas? Why
are you so hard on him?

He's not a very good soldier. I'm

getting these men
ready for battle.

Robert, they're already as
good as the Seventh ever was.

They march well.
They're disciplined.

No thanks to you.

- I beg your pardon?
- You heard me.

Who do you think you are,
acting the high-up colonel?

You seem to forget, I know you...

and so does Thomas.

Forbes.

If you don't believe in
what we're doing here...

maybe you shouldn't be part of it.

Part of what?

Left, right, left,
right, little finger

along the seams of your trousers?

Marching is probably all they'll
ever get to do, Robert.

It is my job...

to get these men ready.

And I will.

They have risked their
lives to be here.

They have given up their freedom.

I owe them as much
as they've given.

I owe them my freedom...

my life, if necessary.

Maybe so do you, Cabot.

I think you do.

Develop. Guard.

Thrust. Develop.

Guard. Thrust.

Develop. Guard.

You're not at dancing school,
son. Take his head off.

Thrust. Develop.

Guard.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
what have we here?

Bonnie Prince Charlie and
his little toy bayonet.

You're not reading your books now.
Go on, go on, get over there.

- Now s*ab me.
- What?

s*ab me.

Come on, s*ab, not tickle. Hit me.

Come on.

You prissy little schoolgirl.

You're the worst soldier in
this whole company. Now hit me.

No shame, son. Get up.

I said, get up.

n*gg*r forgot to duck. That's all.

Sergeant, deal with that man.

Let me tell you a wee secret, son.

The only thing you're to learn to
do is to keep your mouth shut.

Save it, son. Save it.

Carry on, Sergeant Mulcahy.

First rank to the
rear. Back to work.

Robert. Robert.

I'd like to speak to you for a
moment in private, if I may.

Enlisted men wishing to speak
to their commanding officer...

must first get permission.

You understand, private?

Yes, sir.

Guard. Thrust.

Develop. Recover.

Thrust. Develop. Recover.

En garde. Thrust.
Develop. Recover.

You better put some
oomph into that, boyo.

Oh, my, my, my.

Some things never change.

I guess the whole world
hate the n*gg*r.

Boy, if you don't quit
that drumming in here...

Honey, why don't you take your
drum on outside and practise?

That Colonel Shaw, he a hard man.

Yeah, swell. Just a
n*gg*r-b*ating swell.

But he in the same boat with us.

Secesh come, take
him, k*ll him too.

Not him.

He a swell.

He just a boy.

Yeah. He a weak white boy.

b*ating on a n*gg*r
make him feel strong.

Ain't that right, snowflake?

You know, he ain't never
been to no West Point...

and the only reason
he in charge...

is because his mummy
and daddy fixed it.

Ain't that so?

You thought he was
different, didn't you?

What you think now?

You just thought you was so
smart, didn't you, n*gg*r?

Yeah, you in real school
now though, ain't you?

What you gonna do? Cry?

Yeah, he sure enough
learning now, ain't he?

- Sergeant, post your sentries.
- Yes, sir.

Attention, company.

Forward, march.

Right face.

Oh, sh*t.

Young man say there's a farm ain't
but two or three miles from here.

Said the lady over there
give him biscuits and gravy.

She said, if he bring his
friends, she feed them too.

- Don't even think about it.
- What you say, buck?

Biscuits and gravy
sound good to me.

Maybe get myself some real shoes.

I'm telling you, boy. They find
out, they liable to sh**t you.

n*gg*r, is you an old man or
is you an old woman? I forget.

All right.

Collard greens.

Corn bread.

Come on, dream.

I'm waiting on you.

Throw it over here.

Dear, Mother.

News today of the defeat
at Fredericksburg.

If things continue to go badly, I

wonder if I might
not end my days...

as an outlaw leader of a
band of fugitive slaves.

Try as I may, I don't
know these men.

Their music, their camaraderie...

which is different from ours.

I am placed in a
position where, if

I were a man of real strength...

I might do a great deal.

But I am afraid I shall show
that I am not of much account.

I don't want to stand in their
way because of my own weakness.

I miss Christmas on
the Shaw lsland...

and the smell of the sea.

Robert.

It's Thomas.

I just wanted to say...

I wanted to say...

Merry Christmas, Robert.

Merry Christmas, Thomas.

You're Shaw, aren't you?

Merry Christmas.

Kendric, division quartermaster.

This sorry piece
of work is Haggis.

He writes vouchers.

- Pleasure.
- Pleasure.

- How's it going down there?
- Oh, very well. Thank you.

That's all right.
Brass are all up to

division, planning
the next disaster.

You're among friends.

How much longer do you
figure they last?

I hear they're
deserting, 10 at a time.

Oh, you're misinformed.

We haven't had a single incident.

See?

I figure the nigs
never had it so good.

Three square a day, a
roof over their heads.

And they got to know that nobody's
gonna let them fight. Am I right?

Yes, of course.

Listen, if there's
anything you need.

A bottle for the cold nights?

Yes, actually, I put
in a requisition...

for some shoes two weeks ago...

and I haven't heard anything.

Well, provisionally speaking...

we're extremely limited
as to footwear.

I'm afraid that kind of
item has to be reserved...

for those units whose
fighting readiness...

supersede yours.

You understand, I'm sure.

Yes, I understand.

- Excuse me.
- Oh, stop by tomorrow.

I have got my hands on the
most delicious local jam.

- Myrtle berry, isn't it?
- Blueberry.

Oh, right, right.

Nice meeting you, Shaw.

Twit.

- Excuse me, sir.
- What is it?

We've caught a deserter.

Oh, lordy, this is bad.

They ain't gonna
sh**t him, is they?

No.

It'll be all right.

Won't it?

Re-form your ranks.

- Re-form your ranks.
- Re-form your ranks.

Fall in. Quiet in the ranks.

Quiet in the ranks.

Right. Untie his hands
and take off his coat.

The prisoner is in position, sir.

What is this?

The prisoner is to be flogged
before the entire regiment.

Robert, not with a
whip. Not on them.

- Excuse us, Sergeant Mulcahy.
- At your pleasure, colonel.

Never question my authority
in front of others.

Well, I is sorry,
massa. You be the

boss man now and
all us chilluns...

must learn to obey.

Major Forbes, stand at attention.

Sergeant Mulcahy.

You may commence.

Proceed.

Attention.

Mr Rawlins.

This morning I...

It would be a great help
if I could talk to you...

about the men from time to time.

That's all.

Shoes, sir.

The men need shoes, colonel.

Yes, I know. I've been after the
quartermaster for some time now.

No, sir. Now.

The boy was off trying to find
hisself some shoes, colonel.

He wants to fight...

same as the rest of us.

More, even.

All of the men, like this?

Yes. Most of them.

Good afternoon, colonel.

You change your mind about that
bottle I was talking about?

I want 600 pair of shoes
and 1200 pair of socks...

and anything else you've
been holding out on us.

Piece of rat filth.

I'd love to help you, colonel,
but we just don't have any.

Not for n*gg*r*s, you don't.

- Not for anybody.
- I see. Pity.

I'll just have a look around, see
that you haven't misplaced them.

Hey.

Hey.

Son of a bitch.

- Damn it, you can't...
- Can't I?

I'm a colonel, nasty little cuss.

You really think you can
keep 700 Union soldiers...

without proper shoes because
you think it's funny?

Where would that power come from?

All right, all right. Calm down.

Look, have a drink.

Hey, you barefoot men,
come on out here.

Got something for you.

Shoes. Shoes.

Have a pair.

Here's a pair there. One
pair of shoes here.

Here's another pair.
One pair per customer.

Steward, is there
anything you need?

- No, sir.
- Keep me informed.

Yes, sir. I will.

Shoulder arms.

Sir.

From the w*r Department.

Can anything be done?

- They've got families.
- I know.

We'll protest this through
channels later on.

- Attention, battalion.
- Yes, sir.

Attention, battalion.

You men enlisted in
this regiment...

on the understanding...

that you would be paid
the regular Army wage...

of $13 a month.

This morning I have
been notified...

that since you are a
coloured regiment...

you will be paid $10 a month.

That ain't fair. They said 13.

Regiment, fall out by
company to receive pay.

- Where you going, boy?
- To get paid.

Ten dollar, a lot of money.

Hey, pop, you fitting to
lay down for this too?

- Fall in.
- Fall in.

Hey. Hey, come on.
Where's your pride, now?

Make your mark right here.

- I can write my name.
- Then do it.

They give them $13,
only gonna give

us but ten? You gonna go for that?

I mean, a coloured soldier stop a

b*llet just as good
as a white one.

And for less money too.

Yeah. Yeah, Uncle Abe got
hisself a real bargain here.

- Hey, what you say, boy?
- That's right, slaves.

Step right up, make your
mark. Get your sl*ve wages.

All you good coloured boys,
go ahead and sign up.

That's right. Tear
it up, tear it up.

Tear it up. Tear it up.

- Get back in line.
- Tear it up, tear it up.

Tear it up, tear it up.

Tear it up. Tear it up.

Tear it up, tear
it up, tear it up.

Tear it up, tear it up,
tear it up, tear...

If you men will take no pay...

then none of us will.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Let's hear it for the colonel.

Yeah.

Attention, battalion.

Attention.

Eyes right.

Eyes front.

Eyes...

right.

Mainly, I forgot how
hot it was down here.

Welcome home, boy.

Don't worry about it,
buck. Take a good look.

It's all a memory now
that the North man come.

Now that we come.

Colonel Shaw?

Edward Pierce, special
assignment from Harper's Weekly.

- Harper's Weekly?
- Serving an entire nation.

Million readers want to
know what happens...

when the men of the
54th see action.

A million and one.

Well, you'll want to see this.

Attention, company.

- Rawlins, front and centre.
- Sir.

Mr Rawlins, this regiment was
formed with the promise...

that only white officers would
be commissioned to lead it.

Nothing was mentioned, however,
about noncommissioned officers.

Therefore, in recognition
of initiative

taken not only for yourself...

but on behalf of the
entire regiment...

you are hereby awarded the
rank of sergeant major.

Congratulations.

- Thank you, sir.
- Hip, hip, hooray.

Hip, hip, hooray.
Hip, hip, hooray.

Congratulations.

I ain't sure I'm
wanting this, colonel.

I know exactly how you feel.

Mama, they're coming home.
They're coming home.

That's right, hons.
Ain't no dream.

We run away slaves, but we
come back fighting men.

Go tell your folks how kingdom
come in the year of jubilee.

Left. Up tight up there.

Left.

Who are these ragamuffin?

Contrabands, right
out of the fields.

- Hey. Hey, old man, where from?
- Massachusetts.

Oona march better than we. Oona
march like the buckra soldier.

I beg your pardon?

He says we march
like white soldiers.

Even talk like the buckra soldier.

- Where you from?
- Oh, round about here.

We were slaves in
the field when the

Yankee man come. Say we soldiers.

How you like the Army, contraband?

Oh, we love it. We thank the Lord
every day for the good vittles...

and these beautiful
clothes. Tell true.

This year, every day
like Christmas.

- Like what?
- Like Christmas.

Splendid.

They've been working for weeks
in anticipation of your arrival.

We're all very excited
to have you here, Shaw.

- Thank you, sir.
- Lincoln's idea.

Hired a group of New Englanders...

to teach our coloured
how to read and write.

Just your sort of
people, I should think.

The regiment should
enjoy their stay here.

Yes, I'm sure we'll
have a fine time,

but that's not why we're here.

Well, can't promise
you much action.

Just having the
coloureds around...

seems to have scared the
bejesus out of the Rebs.

- Colonel Shaw?
- Excuse me.

I'd like you to meet
some of our instructors.

Dr Thorpe of Salem.

- It's my pleasure, Colonel Shaw.
- Pleasure.

Dr Rogers of Philadelphia.

I know and admire your parents.

You do, sir? Why, thank you, sir.

Shaw, meet Colonel Montgomery.

He's your brigade commander.

- Colonel.
- Honoured, sir.

Colonel Montgomery's a real
jayhawker from Kansas.

Contraband regiment
is his brainchild.

You didn't think
yours were the only

coloureds around,
did you, colonel?

I did, actually.

Well, I'm sure they'll
do just fine.

Have they seen any mischief?

No, sir.

I'm hiking a company over to the
Georgia coast in the morning.

We'll be foraging for
supplies. I could use a hand.

That is, if you think
your men are up to it.

They are indeed, sir.

Good. Very good.

- A pleasure.
- Good night.

Beg to report, colonel, sir.

The troop is fed and bedded
down for the night, sir.

Very good, corporal. Pass the
word along to A company...

we'll be going into
action in the morning.

Very good, sir.

Your men march handsomely,
colonel. My compliments.

Thank you, sir.

I am surprised at how
well you handle them.

See, I am from Kentucky originally
and we owned a few ourselves...

so it comes naturally to me.

You are from Boston, are you not?

Yes.

It is impossible to imagine
Boston with slaves.

Company, halt.

- Halt.
- Shoulder arms.

Town's clean, sir. Ain't no
Rebs here, just some women.

Well, all right. You
hear that, boys?

Let's clear her out.

- What are you doing?
- Liberating this town...

- in the name of the Republic.
- The musket, colonel?

Never sh**t it. sh**t now?

Yeah, I don't see
why not. Go ahead.

sh**t the lady, boys.

Don't sh**t. We ain't Secesh here.

That man is a civilian.

That man is Secesh, and
Secesh is all the same, son.

Look around you. You really think
anybody's gonna put these boys...

into some real combat?

Do you?

They're little children.
Little monkey children.

You just got to know
how to control them.

Please, let go. Oh, God.

You see what I mean? Children.

- Animal. Leave her alone.
- Hey, boy.

Take your hands off
the white lady.

That would not have
been necessary if

that Secesh woman
hadn't started it.

They'll never learn.

You see, Secesh has got to be
swept away by the hand of God...

like the Jews of old.

And now I'll have
to burn this town.

n*gg*r soldiers. n*gg*r soldiers.

Tell your men to set torches and
prepare to fire the buildings.

I will not.

That is an order.

You will do it or
you will be brought

up on charges for disobeying.

It is an immoral
order, and by articles

of w*r I am not bound to obey it.

Well, you can just explain
that at your court-marital...

after your men are
placed under my command.

First squad, second platoon.

Fall out to set torches.
Prepare to fire the town.

First squad, second
platoon. Fall out.

Right face.

Forward march.

Change the colours,
sergeant major.

Change the colours.

What you looking at,
biscuit eaters?

You think you better than
me? You think you my judge?

You ain't nothing.

Dear Father, I need your help.

Despite my many requests,
it has become clear...

that we are to be used
only for manual labour.

Morale is low.

The men's good humour darkened
by idleness and despair.

Why keep drilling if they are
never given the opportunity...

to prove themselves?

Attention.

I have written to Governor
Andrew as well as to...

the general staff in Washington.

But I feel that only
a letter directly

from you to Lincoln himself...

can have the desired effect.

I can think of no other course.

I am sure you both
pray, as I do...

that all this has
not been in vain.

Look like we going the wrong way.

Hey. Hey, come on,
now. Buck up, boys.

Hey, buck up, now. Come on.

See, someday they're gonna let
the 54th get into it, see?

And all your troubles
would be over, huh?

Come on now, cheer up. Hey.

What did you say, boy?

"Boy"? Let me tell you...

Shut up, Trip...

Would you get up
off me, snowflake?

See, let me explain
something to you.

See, the way I figure,
I figure this w*r

would be over a
whole lot sooner...

if you boys just
turn right on around

and head on back down that way...

and let us head where
the real fighting is.

Them men dying up that road.

And it wouldn't be
nothing but Rebs

dying, if they let the 54th in it.

- Listen...
- Hold it.

As you were, Trip. As you were.

You men move on.

Stripes on a n*gg*r.

That's like tits on a bull.

You're looking at a
higher rank, corporal.

Now, you'll obey and
you'll like it.

- Make me.
- I'll make you.

- What the hell is going on here?
- Attention.

Attention.

You. Yes, you. What's your name?
I'm putting you up on charges.

Oh, there ain't no
cause for that, sir.

What's that, sergeant?

Well, I mean, it's just
a soldiers' fight, sir.

- All right, you men move along.
- Front step. Forward. March.

Move it.

You men get back to work.
Back to work. Let's go.

- We'll see you again.
- Go dig a latrine.

Go strum a banjo, boy.

Come on.

I've got the guard. Let me
use your looking glass.

Thank you.

Yeah, button up that collar.

Suck in that gut.

Tuck in them big, black lips.

Lighten your skin.
Shrink up that nose.

I don't have to listen to this.

Where you going, boy?

- Let me by.
- Let you by?

Let you by?

Let me tell you something, boy.

You can march like the white
man. You can talk like him.

You can learn his songs. You
can even wear his suits.

But you ain't never gonna
be nothing to him...

but an ugly-ass chimp
in a blue suit.

- Oh, you don't like that, do you?
- No.

Well, what we gonna do about it?

Want to fight me, boy?

What you gonna do about it?

You want to fight me, don't you?

Don't you?

- Come on, nig.
- All right. All right.

Hey, get your hands
off me, gravedigger.

Does the whole world got
to stomp in your face?

- n*gg*r, get your hands off me.
- Ain't no n*gg*r*s around here.

So the white man give you
a couple of stripes...

next thing you know, you ordering

everybody around
like you the massa.

n*gg*r, you ain't nothing
but the white man's dog.

And what are you?

So full of hate you just wanna
go and fight everybody...

because you've been whipped
and chased by hounds.

That might not be living,
but it sure ain't dying.

And dying's what these white boys

been doing for going
on three years.

Dying by the thousands.
Dying for you, fool.

I know, because I dug the graves.

And all the time I'm
digging, I'm asking myself:

"When? When, O Lord, is
it gonna be our time?"

Well, time's coming when
we're gonna have to ante up.

Ante up and kick in
like men. Like men.

You watch who you call a n*gg*r.

If there are any n*gg*r*s
around here, it's you.

Smart-mouth, stupid-ass,
swamp-running n*gg*r.

If you ain't careful, that's
all you ever gonna be.

You men go on back to business.

Shaw.

Sit down.

Well, colonel, what
can I do for you?

You can give me and my regiment
a transfer to combat command.

Couldn't do it, colonel.

You're much too valuable
to my operations here.

May I sit?

Thank you. Major.

I've written a letter
to my father...

asking him to press
Governor Andrew...

and President Lincoln.

But I don't have to wait
for all that, do I?

Colonel Montgomery, would you
bring that ashtray over here?

But valuable to your
operations here, do you say?

Your foraging, your depredations?

Yes, I've become quite a student
of your operations in this region.

Thirty-four mansions, I think
it was, pillaged and b*rned...

under Colonel Montgomery's
expedition of the Combahee.

Four thousand bales of cotton
smuggled through the lines...

with payment to parties unknown...

except by you.

False quartermaster requisitions.

Major Forbes here has
seen the copies.

Yes, indeed.

Along with confiscated valuables
shipped north as personal baggage.

Shall I go on?

Can you?

I can report you to
the w*r Department.

Oh, yes. I can do that.

Let you take your
regiment out to fight.

That's what you want, isn't it?

Show what they can do.

- When?
- You are bright-eyed, aren't you?

When?

Just as soon as I can
write the orders.

Major.

Double-quick.

All right, company, in
a line. Double-quick.

All right, men, form a
f*ring line. Over here.

Form a f*ring line right here.

Front rank, kneel.

Steady, boys.

f*ring by battalion.

- Aim.
- Aim.

Charge.

Fire.

Cease-fire. Recover.

Here they come.

- Reload.
- Reload. Load.

- Load it. Load it.
- Quickly, men.

- Ready.
- Ready.

- Aim.
- Aim.

Get ready. Get ready.

Fire.

- Reload.
- Reload.

Quickly.

- Fire at will.
- Fire at will.

Pour it in.

Charge.

Look out, boy. Look out.

Fire.

They're turning tail.

Run, you Rebs.

Another victory.

Deploy skirmishers, captain.

- Re-form your ranks.
- Re-form your ranks.

Fall in, on the double.

Form up. Form up.

- Let's do it.
- Skirmish lines.

Fall in. On the double.

- Form company.
- Thomas.

How do, colonel?

Hurts, doesn't it?

Well, I'm extremely jealous.

You'll be back in
Boston before me...

sitting by the fire,
reading Hawthorne...

cup of decent coffee.

I'm not going back.

Thomas, listen to me. You're
sh*t. You have to go back.

Robert, promise me...

that you won't send me back.

Promise me.

All right.

Colonel Shaw.

- What is all this?
- You haven't heard?

Lee was turned back in
Pennsylvania at Gettysburg.

Now Grant's taken Vicksburg and
all on the Fourth of July.

- My God.
- Yeah.

I know. It looks like it'll
all be over by Christmas.

- So how did they do?
- Splendid. Just splendid.

- Any casualties?
- Forty-two.

Oh, give me the details.
I'll wire it in.

I don't think we got a
prayer of making the paper.

I'll talk to you
later in your tent.

As you were.

- Trip, isn't it?
- Yes, sir.

You fought very well
yesterday, Trip.

Sergeant Rawlins has recommended
that you receive a commendation.

Yes, sir.

Yes, and I think you should
bear the regimental colours.

Well...

It's considered quite an honour.

Why not?

Well, I'm...

Wanting to say
something, sir, but I...

Go ahead.

All right. See...

I ain't fighting this w*r...

for you, sir.

I see.

I mean, what's the point?

Ain't nobody gonna win.
It's gonna go on and on.

- It can't go on forever.
- But ain't nobody gonna win.

Somebody's gonna win.

Who?

I mean, you, you get to go on back
to Boston, big house and all that.

What about us?

What do we get?

Well, you won't get
anything if we lose.

What do you wanna do?

I don't know, sir.

It stinks, I suppose.

Yeah.

It stinks bad.

And we all covered up in it too.
I mean, ain't nobody clean.

Be nice to get clean though.

How do we do that?

We ante up and kick in, sir.

But I still don't wanna
carry your flag.

No one will ever
take Charleston...

without first silencing the forts
which protect its harbour.

And the first one that must be
taken is that: Fort Wagner.

Wagner mounts a
10-inch Columbiad...

three smoothbore 32-pounders...

a 42-pound carronade...

a 10-inch coast mortar...

and four 12-pound howitzers...

plus a garrison of
about a thousand men.

As many of you gentlemen
may be aware...

for the last four days, our
Navy has weakened Wagner...

with a constant barrage.

Headquarters has determined
a time for our att*ck.

We will proceed with a
direct frontal as*ault...

tomorrow at dusk.

The problem, gentlemen,
is the approach.

The ocean and the marsh leave
only a narrow strip of sand.

A natural defile
through which we can

only send one regiment at a time.

Our best hope is that that leading

regiment can keep the
Rebs occupied...

long enough for reinforcements
to exploit the breach.

Needless to say...

casualties in the leading
regiment may be extreme.

General Strong.

The 54th Massachusetts...

requests the honour of leading
the att*ck on Fort Wagner.

It's Colonel Shaw, isn't it?

Yes, sir.

You and your men haven't
slept for two days.

That's right, sir.

You think they have the
strength to lead this charge?

There's more to fighting
than rest, sir.

There's character.

There's strength of heart.

You should have seen us
in action two days ago.

We were a sight to see.

We'll be ready, sir.

When do you want us?

- Tomorrow, we go into battle.
- All right.

So, Lordy, let me fight with
the r*fle in one hand...

and the Good Book in the other.

- Amen, brother.
- Amen.

That if I should die at the
muzzle of the r*fle...

die on water or on land...

I may know that you, blessed
Jesus Almighty, are with me.

- With Jesus. With us.
- That's right.

And I have no fear. Amen.

- Amen.
- Amen.

Lord...

we stand before you
this evening...

- to say thank you.
- Thank the Lord.

We thank you, Father...

for your grace and
your many blessings.

Yes, sir.

Now, I run off...

and left all my young'uns
and my kinfolk in bondage.

So I'm standing here this
evening, Heavenly Father...

to ask your blessings
on all of us.

So that if tomorrow is our
great getting-up morning...

if tomorrow we have to
meet the Judgement Day...

oh, Heavenly Father, we want
you to let our folks know...

that we d*ed facing the enemy.

We want them to know that
we went down standing up...

Yes, Lord.

Among those that are fighting
against our oppression.

We want them to know,
Heavenly Father...

that we d*ed for freedom.

We ask these blessings
in Jesus' name. Amen.

- Amen.
- Amen.

Trip. Come on.

No, I...

You better get your
butt up there, boy.

Just say what you think. Just
say what you feel. Go on now.

- Come on.
- Preach it, brother.

Go on, let it out.

I ain't much about no praying now.

Well, you always say your piece.

I ain't never had no family and...

- k*lled off my mama.
- Well...

This feels funny.

- Come on.
- It's all right.

Come on now. You're doing fine.

Well, I just...

You know, you
all's... You all's...

You all's the onliest
family I got.

Well, that's all right.

And...

I love the 54th.

All right.

Ain't much matter what
happens tomorrow...

because we men, ain't we?

- Yes, sir.
- Amen.

- We men, ain't we?
- Yes, sir.

- sh*t.
- All right, man.

- Attention, company.
- Attention, company.

Attention, company.

Battalion, halt.

We ready, colonel.

Left. Left. Left, right.

- Give them hell, 54th.
- Give them hell, 54th.

- Ready, fire.
- Ready, fire.

Ought to be quite a show, Pierce.

Best seat in the house.

I wonder if you might
do something for me.

I have some letters here.

Personal things.

Certainly, colonel.

Also, if I should fall...

remember what you see here.

- Ready.
- Ready.

- Fire.
- Fire.

- Fire.
- Reload.

- Reload.
- Fire.

You men are relieved.

Report to the rear as
stretcher bearers.

- Do it now.
- Right face.

Forward, march.

You go on, honey.
We be by directly.

Shaw.

If this man should fall...

who will lift the
flag and carry on?

I will.

Huzzah. Huzzah. Huzzah.

I'll see you in the fort, Thomas.

- Fix.
- Fix.

Bayonets.

- Shoulder.
- Shoulder.

Arms.

- Charge.
- Charge.

Bayonets.

- At the quickstep.
- At the quickstep.

Forward.

March.

Double-quick time.

March.

Steady, boys.

Charge.

Come on.

Forward.

Keep your ranks.

Take cover in the dunes.

Take cover.

Company commanders,
we'll wait here

and advance under
cover of darkness.

Men, get down over there.
Get down.

Company commanders,
order your men to wait here.

Get down.

- Sergeant Rawlins.
- Sir.

Pass the word along.

Forward on my command.

Ready on the colours, men.

Forward on my command.

Ready.

- Charge.
- Charge.

Forward, men. Forward.

Forward.

I've been hit.

Forward. Forward, men.

Come on, men, forward.

Come on, you men. Come on.
Don't stop. Get up there.

No.

Come on.

Come on, 54th.

Robert.

Come on.

Charge.

My eye.

Rally.

- Form a f*ring line right here.
- No.

Get out of here.

Fire.

Let's go. Move. Move.
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