Dear Mother:
I hope you are keeping well
and not worrying too much about me.
You mustn't think
any of us are gonna be killed.
For they're collecting such a force
here that an attack would be insane.
The Massachusetts men
passed through this morning.
How grand it is to meet the men
from all the states...
...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 war began...
...many of my regiment
had never seen a Negro.
But 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 100 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.
Fire!
Fire!
Steady, boys!
Forward!
For God's sake, come on!
Robert, come on!
We must fall back!
No! Morse!
Morse!
You all right there, captain?
Please! Not my leg!
Where's the chloroform?
Stop!
So it's the neck, captain?
The surgeons are all busy
but l'll fix you up right enough.
Let me know if l hurt you.
lt's nothing.
Heard the latest?
What's that?
l heard it from a friend
who's a dispatch rider...
...who got it from his friend,
one of Stanton's War Office clerks.
He says Lincoln's gonna issue
an Emancipation Proclamation.
Gonna free the slaves.
What?
Maybe not those in the Border States,
but he's gonna free some.
- My God!
- Yeah.
Says he would've done it sooner
but he needed a big victory.
l guess that's what this is.
Oh, my God!
Please don't cut anymore!
Please!
Please!
Am l hurting you, captain?
l'm sorry.
Robert!
Thomas!
Captain Shaw.
l was so proud when l heard.
They had no choice.
All the other officers are dead.
- And Forbes?
- lmpossible as always.
He's around here somewhere.
- How about you?
- Working for your father.
Helping him with
the Freedman's Relief Association.
There's a shortage of housing-
Are you all right?
Yes. lt's all right.
Darling, there's someone
who wishes to meet you.
General Hunter rounded up
slaves from the fields...
...called them contraband
and put them in camps, like cattle.
Then the War Department decided
to issue them pikes rather than guns.
Of course they deserted.
So would l.
Governor, you know my son, Robert.
- lt's good to see you again.
- Governor Andrew.
Have you met Frederick Douglass?
Mr. Douglass.
l understand you were at Antietam.
A great and a terrible day.
l could use your help.
The governor's proposing to raise
a regiment of Negro soldiers.
No, it was not just my idea.
Mr. Douglass has-
We'll offer pride and dignity
to those who've known only degradation.
Coloured soldiers, Rob.
Just think of it!
Wonderful.
l've submitted your name
to be commissioned...
...colonel of the 54th
Massachusetts lnfantry.
Thank you, governor, that's...
That's a wonderful idea.
Excuse me.
Well done, Shaw.
- Splendid job, young man.
- Bravo, Robert.
What's the matter, Chester?
Too much punch?
l mean, l know how much you'd like to be
a colonel, but a coloured regiment?
You know how unpopular
that would be...
...handing out guns to 1,000 coloureds?
What's wrong?
l'm gonna do it.
You're not serious?
l want you to come with me.
Me?
And you?
Can you picture me
in charge of a regiment?
Picture me in charge of anything?
l would be honoured to have you.
Then you're an idiot.
ls it true?
There's to be a coloured regiment?
So it seems.
Then l am your first volunteer.
Present arms!
How's it look, colonel?
We gonna whup the Secesh?
Hey, boss, when we get the blue suit?
We ready to whup them Rebs.
When we gonna get to fight?
- Attention!
- Attention!
- Good morning.
- Morning.
Good morning, gentlemen.
l am Colonel Robert Gould Shaw.
l am your commanding officer.
lt is a great pleasure
to see you all here today.
lt 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.
Form companies?
- We'll commence with forming companies.
- 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.
ls that a book, brother?
Yes, it is, actually.
The name's Searles. Thomas Searles.
Jupiter Sharts, sir.
What it about, that book?
lt's a collection of essays.
Fourier, Emerson...
...all the transcendentalists.
lt got pictures?
- Teach me?
- Yes, l'd be happy to.
Just look at what's walking in here.
Look at them. Go on.
l'd rather have a hog than a nigger.
You could eat the hog.
lt's getting dark
mighty early around here.
Sergeant of the guard!
Post your sentry!
Yes, sir!
Wait, that's my space, nigger.
l sleeps better close up on that door.
lf you don't mind, l'd prefer a space
with more sufficient reading light.
l like it when niggers talk
good as white folk.
l'd be happy to teach you.
lt would be my pleasure.
Hey, look here, snowflake,
l ain't learning from no house nigger.
l am a free man,
as was my father before me.
Oh, you free?
Move your free black ass
out my space...
- ...before l-
- Hey, hold up-
Nobody talking to you, pap.
lt's all right.
l'll be fine over here.
Excuse me.
Wonder when they gonna
give us the blue suit?
They ain't giving black soldiers
blue suits, only white soldiers.
Well, we soldiers now.
Where you from, field hand?
South Carolina.
You ought to know
better than that, boy.
Hey, would you quit that-?
Hey, boy, quit that drumming.
What's your name, boy?
- l 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?
Here, come over here, hon.
Dummies and field hands.
Ain't that about a bitch!
What about you there, boy?
Where abouts you from?
Yeah, l'm from around Tennessee.
l ran away when l was 12.
l ain't never looked back.
What you doing since then?
l run for President.
l didn't win though.
Major?
Forbes, that's you.
Thomas.
How are you?
- You know Charlie Morse.
- Thomas Searles.
Captain.
So how was your meal?
The rmoulade was a trifle tart...
...but the souffl more
than made up for it.
And your comrades?
Charming. Extraordinary
conversationalists, every one.
Major Forbes.
A word, please.
Excuse me, Thomas.
l won't permit
that kind of fraternization.
But it's only Thomas.
He's an enlisted man.
You're right, of course.
l've sent for help.
These men need a proper teacher.
For God's sake, men,
you march like crippled old goats.
Christ! We'll be here day and night
until it's right.
A one, one.
Company, halt.
About face.
You are ugly Mexican-
African fucking whores!
We'll work on this
day and night, gentlemen.
Forward at the half step, march!
One!
You half-wit black bastard.
Do they cut your balls off at birth?
l'm gonna work on you, bastard,
until l get you broken in.
Company, halt!
For God's sake!
Do you not know right from left?
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.
A one, one, one.
- Two.
- One, two, one, two...
You bloody Hindus!
Get it right.
Stop.
Start it again.
ln each rank.
Go.
Left, left,
left, right, left.
Quite louder, march!
Left, l-
Get your goddamn hands
out of your pocket, soldier!
Left, left, right, left.
Bonnie Prince Charlie,
are you a gentleman?
Are you a member of Congress?
Or are you the bloody prince of Africa?
Don't look at me.
Look straight ahead.
l'll leash your ass up, boyo.
The lrish are not known
for their fondness for the coloureds.
What about the uniforms?
Still no word.
The rifles?
See to it.
You've got a lot to learn.
You haven't had no master like me.
Dear Mother:
The men learn very quickly...
...faster than white troops,
it seems to me.
They're 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 wouldn't know from the sound
of it that this is an Army camp.
They must've learned this...
...from hours of meaningless,
inhuman work....
To set their minds free so quickly...
...it gives them great energy.
And there's no doubt
we'll 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!
ln accordance with
President Lincoln's wishes...
...you men are advised
that the Confederate Congress...
...has issued a proclamation.
lt reads:
''Any Negro taken in arms
against the Confederacy...
...will immediately be returned
to a state of slavery.
Any Negro taken in federal uniform...
...will be summarily put to death.
Any white officer taken
in command of Negro 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.
lf you're not here in the morning...
...l understand.
Still want that blue suit, nigger?
- Good morning, major.
- Sir! Formed and ready, sir!
How many are left?
Attention!
Glory, hallelujah!
Company, halt.
You're not dismissed, boyo.
Get up.
You'll fall out when l say
and not before. You understand?
l said, get up!
Sergeant major.
Sir.
At ease, sergeant.
l have no doubt that you are
a fair man, Mulcahy.
l 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.
- l see.
- Will that be all, sir?
Dismissed.
Fifty-seven caliber
Enfield rifle musket.
- Best in the world here, boy.
- Sharts?
One, one, nine, one, one.
- Think you can handle that?
- l can knock something down with this.
Trip?
- One, two, one, nine, two.
- Beautiful.
Otman?
One, two, one, eight, six.
- Jefferson?
- Yes, sir.
Robert...
Finally.
There's a rumour going around that
we'll be used only for manual labour.
You can't believe
the kind of things we hear.
lt's not true, is it?
About not being allowed to fight?
The men are all living for that day.
l know l am.
Don't bother about him.
He's just ignorant.
Excuse me.
For God's sake, come on!
Do that again.
Here, give him your weapon.
Do that again.
One dime, he can't do it.
- A dime on each of you.
- 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!
Attention, company!
As you were.
Front and centre.
You're a good shot, private.
Thank you, sir.
Squirrel hunting.
- You ever killed a man?
- No, sir.
- But you're handy with a gun?
- Yes, sir.
Reload.
Faster.
Faster.
Faster!
Discharge your weapon.
Discharge your weapon.
Do it!
Now do it again. Only this time,
l want it done quickly!
A good man can fire
three aimed shots in a minute.
Major Forbes,
give me your Colt revolver.
- What?
- Your gun.
Give it to me.
Faster.
Reload.
Quickly. Faster!
Faster! Load.
Do it!
Do it!
Teach them properly, major.
Yes, sir.
Attention, company!
Ready!
Aim!
Fire!
Good morning, major.
You're up early.
l want to talk to you.
Certainly.
You wouldn't mind getting down
from your horse?
Better?
Why do you treat the men this way?
How should l treat them?
Like men.
And what about Thomas?
Why are you so hard on him?
He's not a very good soldier.
l'm getting these men
ready for battle.
They already march well.
They're disciplined.
No thanks to you.
- l beg your pardon?
- You heard me.
Who do you think you are,
acting the high-up colonel?
You seem to forget l know you.
And so does Thomas.
Forbes!
lf you don't believe
in what we're doing here...
...you shouldn't be a part of it.
A part of what?
'' Left, right, left!? Little finger
along the seams of your trousers!?''
Marching is probably
all they'll ever get to do.
lt is my job to get these men ready.
And l will.
They have risked their lives to be here.
They have given up their freedom.
l owe them as much as they have given.
l owe them my freedom...
...my life, if necessary.
Maybe so do you, Cabot.
l think you do.
Develop! Guard! Thrust!
Develop! Guard! Thrust!
Develop! Guard!
You're not in dancing school, son.
Take his head off!
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 stab me.
- What?
Stab me.
Come on, stab, not tickle.
Hit me.
Come on.
You prissy little schoolgirl!
You're the worst soldier
in this company. Now hit me!
No shame, son.
Get up.
l said, get up!
Nigger forgot to duck, that's all.
Sergeant, deal with that man.
l can tell you're very smart, son.
The only thing you have to learn to do
is to keep your mouth shut.
Save it, son.
Save it.
Carry on, Sergeant Mulcahy.
l'd like to speak to you
for a moment in private...
...if l may?
Enlisted men wishing to speak
to their commanding officer...
...must first get permission.
You understand, private?
Yes...
...sir.
My, my!
Some things never change.
l guess the whole world
hate the nigger.
Boy, quit that drumming in here.
Honey, why don't you take
your drum on outside and practice?
That Colonel Shaw,
he a hard man.
He a swell.
Just a nigger-beating swell.
But he in the same boat with us.
Secesh come,
take him, kill him too.
Not him. He a swell.
He's just a boy.
He a weak, white boy...
...and beating on a nigger
make him feel strong.
Ain't that right, snowflake?
You know, he ain't never been
to no West Point.
The only reason he in charge
is because his mommy 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, nigger?
You in the real school now, though.
Ain't you?
What you gonna do, cry?
He sure enough learning now, ain't he?
Shit!
l know a man say there's a farm
two, three miles from here.
Said the lady over there
give him biscuits and gravy.
She said if he bring his friends,
she'll feed them too.
Don't even think about it.
What you say, boy?
Biscuits and gravy sound good.
Maybe get some real shoes.
l'm telling you, boy. They find out,
they liable to shoot you.
Nigger, is you an old man
or is you an old woman? l forget.
All right.
Collard greens.
Corn bread.
Come on, dream...
...l'm waiting on you.
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 Island
and the smell of the sea.
lt's Thomas.
l just wanted to say...
l wanted to say...
Merry Christmas, Robert.
Merry Christmas, Thomas.
You're Shaw, aren't you?
Merry Christmas.
Kendrick.
Division quartermaster.
And this sorry piece of work is Haggis.
He writes vouchers.
- Pleasure.
- Pleasure.
- How's it going down there?
- Very well. Thank you.
lt's all right.
Brass are up to Division,
planning the next disaster.
You're among friends now.
How much longer you figure they last?
l hear they're deserting,
ten at a time.
Well, you're misinformed.
We haven't had a single incident.
See? l figure the nigs
never had it so good.
Three square a day,
a roof over their heads.
And they got to know nobody's
gonna let them fight. Right?
Yes, of course.
Listen, if there's anything you need.
A bottle for the cold nights?
Yes. l've put in a requisition
for some shoes two weeks ago...
...and l haven't heard anything.
Provisionally speaking,
we're extremely limited as to footwear.
l'm afraid that kind of item
has to be reserved for those units...
...whose fighting readiness...
...supersede yours.
You understand, l'm sure.
Yes, l understand.
- Excuse me.
- Well, stop by tomorrow.
l've got my hands on
the most delicious local jam.
Myrtleberry?
- Blueberry.
- Right.
Nice meeting you.
Twit!
- Excuse me, sir.
- What is it?
We've caught a deserter.
Oh, Lordy! This is bad.
They ain't gonna go
and shoot him, is they?
lt'll be all right.
Won't it?
- Reform your ranks!
- Reform your ranks!
Fall in.
Quiet in the ranks.
Quiet in the ranks!
Wright, untie his hands
and take off his coat.
The prisoner's 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.
At your pleasure, colonel.
Never question my authority
in front of others.
l is sorry, master. You be the boss
man now and all us childrens...
- ...must obey-
- Major Forbes!
Stand at attention!
Sergeant Mulcahy...
...you may commence.
Proceed.
Attention!
Mr. Rawlins...
This morning l...
lt'd be a great help if l
could talk to you about the men...
...from time to time.
That's all.
Shoes, sir.
The men need shoes, colonel.
Yes, l know.
l've been after the quartermaster.
No, sir.
Now.
The boy was off trying
to find himself 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 l talked about?
l want 600 pair of shoes
and 1,200 pair of socks...
...and anything else you've been holding
out on us, you piece of rat filth.
l'd love to help you,
but we just don't have any.
Not for niggers, you don't?
Not for anybody.
l see. Pity.
l'll just look around,
see if you haven't misplaced them.
Where are they,
you son of a bitch?
Goddamn it!
You can't-
Can't l?
l'm a colonel,
nasty little cuss.
You really think you can keep
700 Union soldiers...
...without proper shoes
because you think it's funny?
Now where would that power come from?
All right, all right.
Calm down.
Look, have a drink.
Hey, you barefooted mutts!
Come on over here.
Step up over there, boy.
Shoes! Shoes, boy!
Here, there's a pair.
Here.
There's a pair there.
Here's one pair.
One pair of shoes here.
Here's another pair.
Steward?
- ls there anything you need?
- No, sir.
- Keep me informed.
- Yes, sir.
Sir.
From the War Department.
Can anything be done?
They've got families.
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 dollars a month.
This morning l have been notified...
...that since
you are a coloured regiment...
...you'll be paid ten dollars a month.
Regiment fall out by company
to receive pay.
Where you going, boy?
To get paid.
Ten dollar a lot of money.
Hey, pop, you fixing
to lay down for this too?
- Fall in!
- Fall in!
Hey, come on, brother.
Where's your pride now?
Make your mark right here.
l can write my name.
Then do it.
A coloured soldier stop a bullet
as good as a white one...
...and for less money too!
Yeah, old Uncle Abe got himself
a real bargain here!
- What you say, boy?
- That's right, slaves.
Step right up.
Get your slave wage.
Yeah, all you good coloured boys,
go sign up.
- That's right. Tear it up.
- Tear it up! Tear it up!
Back in line!
Tear it up!
Tear it up!
lf you men will take no pay...
...then none of us will.
Let's hear it for the colonel!
Attention, battalion!
Eyes right!
Eyes front!
Eyes right!
Man! l forgot
how hot it was down here.
Welcome home, boys.
Don't worry about it, buck.
Take a good look.
lt's all a memory,
now that the Northman come.
Now that we come.
Colonel Shaw?
Edward Pierce. Special assignment
from Harper's Weekly.
- Harper's Weekly?
- Serving an entire nation.
A million readers want to know
what happens when your men 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.
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.
- Thanks.
- Hip, hip, hooray!
Congratulations.
l ain't sure l'm wanting this, colonel.
l know exactly how you feel.
That right, honeys.
Ain't no dream.
We run away slaves
but come back fighting men!
Go tell your folks how kingdom come
in the year of Jubilee!
Who are these ragamuffins?
Contrabands.
Right out the fields.
- Old man, where from?
- Massachusetts.
You a march better than we,
like the buckra soldier.
- Beg your pardon?
- Says we march like white soldiers.
Even talk like the buckra soldier.
- Where you from?
- Round about here.
We slaves in the field when
the Yankee-men come, say we soldiers.
How you like the Army?
We love it. We thank the Lord
for the vittles and beautiful clothes.
Tell true, this year,
every day like Christmas.
- Like what?
- Like Christmas.
My country, 'tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty
Of thee I sing
Land where my fathers died
Land of the pilgrim's pride
From every mountainside
Let freedom ring
Splendid.
They've been working for weeks,
anticipating your arrival.
We're all excited
to have you here, Shaw.
Thank you, sir.
Lincoln's idea.
Hired New Englanders to teach our
coloured how to read and write.
Just your sort of people,
l should think.
The regiment
should enjoy their stay here.
l'm sure
we'll have a fine time.
But that's not why we're here.
Well, l can't promise you much action.
Having the coloureds around has
scared the bejesus out of the Rebs.
- Colonel Shaw?
- Excuse me.
l'd like you to meet
some of our instructors.
Dr. Thorpe of Salem.
- lt's my pleasure, sir.
- Pleasure.
- Dr. Rogers of Philadelphia.
- l 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.
The contraband regiment
is his brainchild.
You didn't think yours were
the only coloureds around, did you?
l did, actually.
Well, l'm sure they'll do just fine.
Have they seen any mischief?
No, sir.
l'm hiking a company to
the Georgia coast in the morning.
We'll be foraging for supplies.
l could use a hand.
That is, if you think
your men are up to it.
They are indeed, sir.
Good. Very good!
lt's a pleasure.
Good night.
Beg to report, colonel, sir.
The troop is fed and bedded down, sir.
Very good, corporal.
Pass the word along to A company:
We're going into action
in the morning.
Very good, sir.
Your men march handsomely.
My compliments.
Thank you, sir.
l am surprised at
how well you handle them.
l'm from Kentucky originally
and we owned a few ourselves...
...so it comes naturally to me.
You are from Boston, are you not?
lt is impossible
to imagine Boston with slaves.
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, master colonel,
never shoot it. Shoot now?
Yeah, l don't see why not.
Go ahead.
Shoot the lady, boys!
Don't shoot!
We ain't Secesh here.
That man's a civilian.
That man is Secesh.
And Secesh is all the same, son.
Look at them.
You really think anybody's gonna
put these boys into some real combat?
Do you?
They're little monkey children,
for God's sake.
And you just gotta know how
to control them.
Please!
You see what l mean? Children.
Animals!
Leave her alone!
Hey, boy, take your hands
off the white lady.
That wouldn't have been necessary
if that woman hadn't started it.
They'll never learn.
You see, Seceshes must be swept away
by God's hand like the Jews of old.
And now l'll have to burn this town.
Nigger soldiers!
Nigger soldiers!
Tell your men to set torches
to fire the buildings.
l will not.
That is an order.
You'll do it or face charges
for disobeying a superior officer.
lt's an immoral order. By the
Articles of War, l'm not bound to obey.
Well, you can just explain that
at your court-martial...
...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!
What you looking at?
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's clear that we're 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'll never be given...
... the opportunity
to prove themselves?
I've written to Governor Andrew
and 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.
Hey, it look like
we're going the wrong way.
Hey, come on now.
Buck up, boys.
Hey, buck up, now.
Come on.
Someday they gonna
let the 54th get into it, see?
And all your troubles'll be over.
Come on, now, cheer up.
What'd you say, boy?
Boy?
Hey, let me tell you-
- Shut up, Trip.
- Would you get up off me, snowflake?
See, let me explain something to you.
See, the way l figure...
This war'll be
over a whole lot sooner...
...if you boys just turn around
back down that way...
...and let us go
where the fighting is.
There are men dying up that road.
lt wouldn't be nothing but Rebs dying
if they'd let the 54th in it.
Listen-
As you were, Trip.
As you were!
You men move on.
Stripes on a nigger!
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.
- l'll make you.
- What the hell is going on here?
- Attention!
You.
What's your name?
l'm putting you up on charges.
Ain't no calls for that, sir.
What's that, sergeant?
Well, l mean,
it's just a soldier's fight, sir.
All right, you men move along.
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.
l'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.
l 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,
talk like him...
...learn his songs,
even wear his suits.
But you ain't never
gonna be nothing to him...
...but a ugly-ass chimp
in a blue suit.
Oh, you don't like that, do you?
Well, what we gonna do about it?
You want to fight me, boy?
What you gonna do about it?
You want to fight me, don't you?
Don't you?
- Come on, nigger.
- All right!
Hands off me, gravedigger.
Does the whole world
gotta stomp in your face?
Nigger, get your hands off me!
Ain't no niggers around here.
So the white man give you stripes,
now you ordering everybody...
...like the master himself.
Nigger, you ain't nothing
but the white man's dog!
And what are you?
So full of hate you wanna
go fight everybody...
...because you been whipped
and chased.
That might not be living,
but it sure ain't dying.
And dying's what these white boys
been doing for three years.
Dying by the thousands.
Dying for you, fool!
l know because l dug the graves.
And while l'm digging, l'm asking,
''When, Lord, is it gonna be our time?''
The time's coming
when we gonna have to ante up...
...ante up and kick in like men.
Like men!
You watch who you call a '' nigger.''
lf any niggers around here, it's you.
Smart-mouth, stupid-ass,
swamp-running nigger!
lf you ain't careful,
that's all you ever gonna be.
You men go on about your business.
Sit down.
Well, colonel,
what can l 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 l sit?
Thank you.
Major.
l've written a letter
to my father...
...asking him to press Governor Andrew
and President Lincoln.
But l don't have to wait
for all that, do l?
Colonel Montgomery, would you bring
that ashtray over here?
But ''valuable to
your operations here,'' you say.
Your foraging? Your depredations?
l'm quite a student of
your operations in this region.
Thirty-four mansions pillaged
and burnt under Colonel Montgomery's...
...expedition up the Combahee?
Four-thousand bails of cotton
smuggled through the lines...
...with payment to parties
unknown, except by you.
False quartermaster requisitions.
Major Forbes saw the copies.
Yes, indeed.
Along with confiscated valuables
shipped North as personal baggage.
Shall l go on?
Can you?
l can report you
to the War Department.
Oh, yes.
l 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 l can
write the orders.
Major.
By company in the line,
double-quick!
All right, men, form the firing line!
Over here.
Form the firing line right here.
Front line, kneel.
Steady, boys!
Firing by battalion!
Ready...
...aim...
Charge!
...fire!
Cease fire!
Recover.
Here they come!
Reload.
Load it, load it!
Ready!
Aim!
Get ready, get ready,
Fire!
Reload!
Fire at will!
Pour it in.
Charge!
Fire!
They're bloody skirmishes, captain.
Thomas!
How do, Colonel?
Hurts, doesn't it?
Well, l'm extremely jealous.
You'll be back in Boston before me...
...sitting by the fire, reading
Hawthorne, cup of decent coffee.
l'm not going back.
Listen to me...
You're shot. You have to go back.
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...Gettysburg!
Now Grant's taken Vicksburg.
And all on the Fourth of July.
My God!
lt looks like
it'll be over by Christmas.
- So how did they do?
- Splendid. Just splendid.
- Any casualties?
- Forty-two.
Give me the details.
l'll wire it in.
l don't think we'll make the paper-
l'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 l think you should bear
the regimental colours.
No.
lt's considered quite an honour.
Why not?
Well, l'm...
...wanting to say something, sir.
But l...
Go ahead.
All right. See...
...l ain't fighting this war...
...for you, sir.
l see.
l mean, what's the point?
Nobody'll win.
lt'll just go on and on.
Can't go on forever.
Yeah, but ain't nobody gonna win.
Somebody's gonna win.
Who?
l mean, you...
You get to go on back to Boston
in a big house and all that.
What about us?
What do we get?
Well, you won't get anything
if we lose.
What do you want to do?
l don't know, sir.
Stinks, l suppose.
Yeah. Stinks bad.
And we all covered up in it too.
l mean, ain't nobody clean, sir.
Be nice to get clean, though.
How do we do that?
We ante up and kick in, sir.
But l still don't want
to carry your flag.
No one will take Charleston
without silencing the forts...
...protecting its harbour.
And the first one
that must be taken is that.
Fort Wagner.
Wagner mounts a 10-inch Columbiad...
...three smooth-bore 32-pounders...
...a 42-pound carronade...
...a 10-inch coast mortar...
...and four 12-pound howitzers.
Plus a garrison of about 1000 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
it time for our attack.
We will proceed with a direct
frontal assault, tomorrow at dusk.
The problem, gentlemen,
is the approach.
There is only
a narrow strip of sand...
...through which we can only send
one regiment at a time.
Our hope is, that the leading
regiment can occupy the Rebs...
...long enough for reinforcements
to exploit the breach.
Needless to say...
...the casualties in the leading
regiment may be extreme.
General Strong.
The 54th Massachusetts...
...requests the honour of
leading the attack on Fort Wagner.
lt's Colonel Shaw, isn't it?
Yes, sir.
You and your men
haven't slept for two days.
That's right, sir.
And 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?
Oh, my Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord
He packed in the animals two by two
The ox, the camel and a kangaroo
Packed them in that ark so tight
I couldn't get no sleep that night
Noah's son's, Shem and Ham
Telling about God's master plan
Oh, my Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord
Tomorrow we go into battle.
So Lordy, let me fight
with the rifle in one hand...
...and Good Book in the other...
...that if l should die
at the muzzle of the rifle...
...die on water or on land...
...l may know that you,
blessed Jesus Almighty...
...are with me.
And l have no fear.
Amen.
Oh, my Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord
Oh, my Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord
Lord...
...we stand before You this evening
to say thank You.
We thank You, Father,
for Your grace...
...and Your many blessings.
Now, l run off...
...and left all my young'uns
and my kinfolk in bondage.
So l'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 Judgment Day...
...Heavenly Father, we want You
to let our folks know...
...that we died facing the enemy.
We want them to know
that we went down standing up...
...amongst those that are
fighting against our oppression.
We want them to know, Heavenly Father,
that we died for freedom.
We ask these blessings
in Jesus' name...
Amen.
Trip?
Come on.
- Hell, no, l ain't!
- Get your butt up there, boy!
Just say what you think and feel.
Go on. Go on, now.
Go on, let it out.
Well, l ain't much about
no praying, now.
l ain't never had no family or...
Killed off my mama...
lt feel funny-
- Come on.
- lt's all right.
Come on, now.
You're doing fine.
Well, l just...
You know, you all is...
You all is the only family l got.
And...
l loves you, 54th.
Ain't much a matter what
happens tomorrow...
...because we men.
Ain't we?
We men, ain't we?
Shit!
Attention, company!
We ready, colonel.
Give them hell, 54th!
Give them hell, 54th!
Ready! Fire!
Ought to be quite a show, Pierce.
Best seat in the house.
l wonder if
you might do something for me.
l have some letters here,
personal things.
Certainly, colonel.
Also, if l should fall...
...remember what you see here.
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!
- Shaw!
lf this man should fall...
...who will lift the flag
and carry on?
l will.
l'll see you in the fort, Thomas.
Fix...
...bayonets.
Shoulder...
...arms.
Charge...
...bayonets.
At the quickstep.
Forward...
...march!
Double-quick time...
...march!
Steady, boys...
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.
Get down over there.
Get down.
Company commanders,
order your men to wait here.
- Sergeant Rawlins.
- Sir!
Pass the word around:
Forward on my command.
Forward on my command.
Ready on the gunners, men.
Forward on my command!
Ready...
Charge!
Forward!
Forward.
Forward, men!
Come on, men.
Forward!
Come on, you men!
Don't stop. Get up there!
Come on.
Come on, 54th!
Come on!
Charge!
Form a firing line right here!
Get out of here!
Fire!
Let's go.
Move! Move!
Come on, come on!