1. One! One!Copy !req
2. One, two, one!Copy !req
3. One! One!Copy !req
4. One, two, one!Copy !req
5. Dear Mother:Copy !req
6. I hope you are keeping
well and not worrying
too much about me.Copy !req
7. You mustn't think that any of us
are going to be killed,Copy !req
8. for they are collecting such a force
here that an attack would be insane.Copy !req
9. The Massachusetts men
passed through here this morning.Copy !req
10. How grand it is to meet the men
from all the states, east and westCopy !req
11. down here ready
to fight for their countryCopy !req
12. as the old fellows did
in the Revolution.Copy !req
13. But this time we must make it
a whole country...Copy !req
14. for all who live here,
so that all can speak.Copy !req
15. Before this war began,Copy !req
16. many of my regiment
had never seen a Negro.Copy !req
17. Now the roads are choked
with the dispossessed.Copy !req
18. We fight for men and women
whose poetry is not yet written,Copy !req
19. but which will presently
be as enviable and
as renowned as any.Copy !req
20. Last night we heard
of yet another defeat.Copy !req
21. But we are not disheartened.Copy !req
22. I am honored to be part
of such a splendid company.Copy !req
23. They have made me captain,
of which I am enormously proud.Copy !req
24. You would think it strange
to see me giving orders
to a hundred men,Copy !req
25. most of whom are older
than I am.Copy !req
26. Thank you for sending
my volume of Emerson.Copy !req
27. His words come home to me
like truth.Copy !req
28. 'A deep man,' he says, 'believes
that the evil eye can wither,Copy !req
29. that the heart's blessing
can heal,Copy !req
30. and that love
can overcome all odds.'Copy !req
31. My dearest love to Father.Copy !req
32. Your son, Robert.Copy !req
33. Company, forward!Copy !req
34. Charge!
Fire!Copy !req
35. Fire!Copy !req
36. Ready, men?Copy !req
37. Fire!Copy !req
38. Aim!
Aim!Copy !req
39. Fire!
Fire!Copy !req
40. Stand. Fire!Copy !req
41. Steady, boys!Copy !req
42. Forward!
Fire!Copy !req
43. Fire!Copy !req
44. Forward, men!
Forward!Copy !req
45. For God's sake,
come on!Copy !req
46. Fire!Copy !req
47. Fire!Copy !req
48. Robert, come on!
We must fall back!Copy !req
49. No! Forbes!Copy !req
50. Forbes!Copy !req
51. Charge!Copy !req
52. You all right there,
captain?Copy !req
53. Please! Not my leg!Copy !req
54. Where's the chloroform?
Stop!Copy !req
55. Stop!Copy !req
56. No! Wait!Copy !req
57. No!
Hold on!Copy !req
58. So it's the neck, right, captain?Copy !req
59. Well, the surgeons are all busy,
but I'll fix you up.Copy !req
60. All right,
I'll just—Copy !req
61. Let me know if I hurt you.
Stop!Copy !req
62. Oh, this is nothing.Copy !req
63. Heard the latest?
What's that?Copy !req
64. Well, I heard it from a friend
who's a dispatch riderCopy !req
65. who got it from a friend
who's one of Stanton's clerks
in the War Office.Copy !req
66. He says Lincoln is
gonna issue an
emancipation proclamation.Copy !req
67. Gonna free the slaves.Copy !req
68. What?Copy !req
69. Maybe not the ones in the
border states or something,Copy !req
70. but he's gonna free
some of them, anyway.Copy !req
71. My God.
Yeah.Copy !req
72. Said he would've done it
sooner, only he was waiting
on a big victory,Copy !req
73. which is, I guess,
what this is.Copy !req
74. Oh, my God!Copy !req
75. Please don't cut
anymore, please!Copy !req
76. Please!Copy !req
77. This might hurt you,
captain. I'm sorry.Copy !req
78. Thank you.Copy !req
79. Dashing.Copy !req
80. Robert.
Thomas.Copy !req
81. Captain Shaw.
I was so proud
when I heard.Copy !req
82. Well, they had no choice.
All the other officers are dead.Copy !req
83. And Forbes?
Impossible, as always.Copy !req
84. He's around here
somewhere.Copy !req
85. How about you?Copy !req
86. Working for your father,
helping him with
the resettlementCopy !req
87. for the Freedmen's
Relief Association.Copy !req
88. There's a shortage
of housing.Copy !req
89. Robert! Are you all right?Copy !req
90. Yes. I'm sorry.Copy !req
91. MRS. Robert!
Darling, there's someone
who wishes to meet you.Copy !req
92. MR.
General Hunter rounded up
a bunch of slaves from the fieldsCopy !req
93. called them "contraband"
and put them in camps
like cattle.Copy !req
94. Then the War Department
decided to issue them
pikes rather than guns.Copy !req
95. Of course they deserted.
So would I.Copy !req
96. Robert.Copy !req
97. Governor, you
know my son Robert.Copy !req
98. Yes, good to see you again, Robert.
Governor Andrew.Copy !req
99. Robert, have you met
Frederick Douglass?Copy !req
100. Mr. Douglass.Copy !req
101. I understand you
were at Antietam.Copy !req
102. Yes.Copy !req
103. A great and
a terrible day.Copy !req
104. Well, I could use
your help, Robert.Copy !req
105. The governor is proposing
to raise a regiment
of Negro soldiers.Copy !req
106. No, no. It was not just my idea.
Mr. Douglass and some of us—Copy !req
107. We will offer pride
and dignityCopy !req
108. to those who have known
only degradation.Copy !req
109. Colored soldiers,
Robert. Just think of it.Copy !req
110. Wonderful.Copy !req
111. I've submitted your
name, Robert, to be
commissioned colonelCopy !req
112. of the 54th
Massachusetts Infantry.Copy !req
113. Thank you, governor. That's—
It's a wonderful idea.Copy !req
114. Excuse me.Copy !req
115. Well done, Shaw.
Well done, captain.Copy !req
116. Splendid job, young man.
Bravo, Robert.Copy !req
117. What's the
matter, chester?
Too much punch?Copy !req
118. I mean, I know how much
you'd like to make colonel,Copy !req
119. but a colored regiment?Copy !req
120. You know how popular
that would be?Copy !req
121. Handing out guns
to a thousand coloreds?Copy !req
122. Hey, Robert.Copy !req
123. What's wrong?Copy !req
124. I'm gonna do it.Copy !req
125. You're not serious.Copy !req
126. Yeah.Copy !req
127. I want you to come with me.
Me?Copy !req
128. And you?Copy !req
129. Can you picture me
in charge of a regiment?Copy !req
130. Picture me in charge
of anything?Copy !req
131. I would be honored
to have you.Copy !req
132. Well, then
you're an idiot.Copy !req
133. Rob, is it true?
There's to be a
colored regiment?Copy !req
134. So it seems.Copy !req
135. Then I am your first volunteer.Copy !req
136. Present arms!Copy !req
137. How do we look, colonel?
We gonna whup the Secesh?Copy !req
138. Boss, when do we
get the blue suit?Copy !req
139. Yeah, the blue suit.
Yeah.Copy !req
140. Ready to whip them Rebs.
Ready, colonel!Copy !req
141. When are we gonna get to fight?
Yeah!Copy !req
142. Are we really gonna
get to fight this time?Copy !req
143. Attention!Copy !req
144. Attention!Copy !req
145. Morning.
Morning.Copy !req
146. Good morning,
gentlemen.Copy !req
147. I am Colonel
Robert Gould Shaw.Copy !req
148. I am your
commanding officer.Copy !req
149. It is a great pleasure
to see you all here today.Copy !req
150. It is my hope
that the same courage,Copy !req
151. spirit and honor,
which has brought
us togetherCopy !req
152. will one day
restore this Union.Copy !req
153. May God bless us all!Copy !req
154. Yeah!Copy !req
155. Form companies?Copy !req
156. We will commence
with forming companies.Copy !req
157. Company officers,
take charge.Copy !req
158. You recruits will report
to your respective officersCopy !req
159. by the letter of
your company
in alphabetical order,Copy !req
160. which is in the top
left-hand corner
of your muster sheet.Copy !req
161. Good book, brother?
Yes, it is, actually.Copy !req
162. Name's Searles.
Thomas Searles.Copy !req
163. Jupiter Sharts, sir.
What it about, that book?Copy !req
164. It's a collection
of essays actually.Copy !req
165. Fourier, Emerson,
all the transcendentalists.Copy !req
166. It got pictures?
No.Copy !req
167. Teach me?
Yes, I'd be happy to.Copy !req
168. Will you look at what's
walking in here! Look at them.Copy !req
169. I'd rather have
a hog than a nigger.
At least you could eat the hog!Copy !req
170. Getting dark mighty early
around here.Copy !req
171. Come on! Show us
a little dance, will you, boys?Copy !req
172. Sergeant of the guard,
post your sentry.Copy !req
173. Yes, sir!Copy !req
174. Right there!Copy !req
175. Shoulder!Copy !req
176. Right file,
right. March!Copy !req
177. Wait, no. See, that's
my space, nigger.Copy !req
178. I sleep better
close-up on that door.Copy !req
179. Well, if you don't mind,
I'd prefer a more... A space
with more sufficient reading light.Copy !req
180. Oh, I like it when niggers
talk good as white folk.Copy !req
181. I'd be happy to teach you.
It would be my pleasure.Copy !req
182. Hey, look here, snowflake,
I ain't got nothing to learn
from no house nigger.Copy !req
183. I am a free man,
as was my father before me.Copy !req
184. Oh, you free, nigger?
Yes.Copy !req
185. Oh, good. Why don't you move
your free black ass on out
of my space before I bust it up?Copy !req
186. Hey, hold up, buck.
Ain't nobody said nothing to you, pap.Copy !req
187. It's all right.Copy !req
188. I'll be fine over here.Copy !req
189. Mm-hmm.
Excuse me.Copy !req
190. Wonder when they gonna
give us the blue suit.Copy !req
191. Ain't give no blue suit
to no black soldiers.
Blue suits for the whites.Copy !req
192. Well, we
soldiers now.Copy !req
193. Where you from, field hand?
South Carolina.Copy !req
194. South Carolina? Well,
you ought to know
better than that, boy.Copy !req
195. Hey, would you quit that?
Say, boy, quit that drumming.Copy !req
196. Hey, hey, hey.Copy !req
197. What's your name, boy?Copy !req
198. I said what's
your name, boy?Copy !req
199. Can't you see that he's mute?Copy !req
200. He what?Copy !req
201. He's mute.Copy !req
202. You mean this
child can't talk?Copy !req
203. Hey, come over here, hon.Copy !req
204. Dummies and field hands.
Ain't that a bitch?Copy !req
205. What about you there, buck?
Whereabouts are you from?Copy !req
206. I'm from around Tennessee.Copy !req
207. Ran away when I
12 years old, I ain't
never looked back.Copy !req
208. Wh—? What you
doing since then?Copy !req
209. I've run for president.Copy !req
210. I didn't win though.Copy !req
211. Boy.Copy !req
212. Come on, give us
some food, man.Copy !req
213. Major? Forbes?Copy !req
214. That's you.Copy !req
215. Thomas.
Hello.Copy !req
216. How are you?
You know Charlie Morse.Copy !req
217. Charlie.
Thomas Searles.Copy !req
218. Hello.
Cabot.Copy !req
219. So how was your meal?Copy !req
220. The rémoulade
was a trifle tart,Copy !req
221. but the soufflé for dessert
more than made up for it.Copy !req
222. And your
comrades?Copy !req
223. Charming. Extraordinary
conversationalists, every one.Copy !req
224. Major Forbes.Copy !req
225. A word, please.Copy !req
226. Oh, excuse me, Thomas.Copy !req
227. Yes, Robert?Copy !req
228. I won't permit
that kind of fraternization.Copy !req
229. It's only Thomas.
He's an enlisted man.Copy !req
230. You're right,
of course.Copy !req
231. I've sent for help.Copy !req
232. These men need
a proper teacher.Copy !req
233. For God's sakes,
men, you march like a bunch
of crippled old goats!Copy !req
234. Jesus Christ, we're gonna
be here day and night until
we get this right.Copy !req
235. One, one!Copy !req
236. Company, halt!Copy !req
237. About-face!Copy !req
238. You are ugly Mexican,
African fucking whores!Copy !req
239. We're gonna work on this
day and night, gentlemen.Copy !req
240. Forward at the
half step. March!Copy !req
241. One. You half-wit
black bastard.Copy !req
242. Is it true they cut
your balls off at birth?Copy !req
243. I'm gonna work on you,
you bastard, until I
get you broken.Copy !req
244. Company, halt!Copy !req
245. For God's sake, do you
not know your right
from your left?Copy !req
246. No, no, no, sir.Copy !req
247. How many here
do not know right from left?Copy !req
248. Jesus, have pity.Copy !req
249. This is your front!Copy !req
250. This is your rear!
This is your right!
And this—Copy !req
251. Now you're learning, boyo.Copy !req
252. Company,
forward, march!Copy !req
253. One, one, one.Copy !req
254. Two!
One!Copy !req
255. One!
Two!Copy !req
256. One!Copy !req
257. You bloody Hindus,
get it right!Copy !req
258. Stop. Start it again.
In each rank. Count!Copy !req
259. Left. Left,
right, left.Copy !req
260. Right, on my
word, march.Copy !req
261. Left— Get your goddamn hand
out of your pocket, soldier!Copy !req
262. Left. Left, right, left.Copy !req
263. Oh, look at this.
Bonnie Prince Charlie.Copy !req
264. Are you a gentleman?
Are you a member of
congress, or something?Copy !req
265. Or are you the bloody
prince of Africa?Copy !req
266. Don't look at me! Look straight
ahead! Look straight ahead!Copy !req
267. I'll eat your ass
up, boyo.Copy !req
268. You know, the Irish
are not noted for their
fondness for the coloreds.Copy !req
269. What about the
uniforms?Copy !req
270. Still no word.Copy !req
271. The rifles?Copy !req
272. Left. Left, right left.
See to it.Copy !req
273. You're a big buck.
You're tough, aren't you?Copy !req
274. You've got a lot
to learn. You haven't
had a master like me.Copy !req
275. Dear, Mother.Copy !req
276. The men learn very quickly.Copy !req
277. Faster than white troops,
it seems to me.Copy !req
278. They are almost grave
and sedate under instructionCopy !req
279. and they restrain themselves.Copy !req
280. But the moment
they are dismissed from drill,Copy !req
281. every tongue is relaxed
and every ivory tooth is visible.Copy !req
282. And you would not know
from the sound of it that
this is an Army camp.Copy !req
283. They must have had to learn this
from long hours of meaninglessCopy !req
284. and inhuman work.Copy !req
285. To set their minds free so quickly,Copy !req
286. it gives them great energy.Copy !req
287. And there is no doubt
that we will leave this stateCopy !req
288. as fine a regiment as any
that has marched.Copy !req
289. As ever, your son, Robert.Copy !req
290. They've done it.Copy !req
291. Assemble the men.Copy !req
292. Attention!Copy !req
293. Battalion!Copy !req
294. In accordance with
President Lincoln's wishes...Copy !req
295. you men are advisedCopy !req
296. that the Confederate Congress
has issued a proclamation.Copy !req
297. It reads:Copy !req
298. "Any Negro taken in armsCopy !req
299. against the ConfederacyCopy !req
300. will immediately be returned
to a state of slavery.Copy !req
301. Any Negro
taken in Federal uniformCopy !req
302. will be summarily put to death.Copy !req
303. Any white officer
taken in command
of Negro troops...Copy !req
304. shall be deemed as inciting
servile insurrectionCopy !req
305. and shall likewise
be put to death."Copy !req
306. Full discharges will be
granted in the morningCopy !req
307. to all those who apply.Copy !req
308. Dismissed.
Dismissed.Copy !req
309. If you're not here
in the morning,Copy !req
310. I understand.Copy !req
311. Still want that
blue suit, nigger?Copy !req
312. Good morning, major.
Sir. Formed and ready, sir.Copy !req
313. How many are left?Copy !req
314. Attention!Copy !req
315. Battalion!Copy !req
316. Glory hallelujah.Copy !req
317. One. One, two, one.Copy !req
318. One, one. One, two, one.Copy !req
319. Company, halt!Copy !req
320. You're not dismissed,
boyo! Get up!Copy !req
321. You'll fall out when
I say and not before.
Do you understand?Copy !req
322. I said, get up!Copy !req
323. Sergeant major.Copy !req
324. Sir.
At ease, sergeant.Copy !req
325. I have no doubt
that you are a
fair man, Mulcahy.Copy !req
326. I wonder if you are
treating these men too hard.Copy !req
327. You disagree?Copy !req
328. You may speak freely.
The boy's your friend, is he?Copy !req
329. We grew up together, yes.Copy !req
330. Let him grow up some more.Copy !req
331. I see.
Will that be all, sir?Copy !req
332. Yes.Copy !req
333. Dismissed.Copy !req
334. Order.
Order.Copy !req
335. Fifty-seven caliber
Enfield rifle musket.
Best in the world here, boy.Copy !req
336. Sharts.Copy !req
337. "11911."Copy !req
338. Think you can handle that, boy?Copy !req
339. Shit, I can knock
something down with this.Copy !req
340. Trip.Copy !req
341. "12192."Copy !req
342. Beautiful.
Hawkins.Copy !req
343. "12186."Copy !req
344. Jefferson.
Yes, sir.Copy !req
345. Robert.Copy !req
346. Finally.Copy !req
347. There's a rumor going aroundCopy !req
348. that we're to be used
only for manual labor.Copy !req
349. I can't believe
the kind of things we hear.Copy !req
350. It's not true, is it?
I mean, about not
being allowed to fight.Copy !req
351. The men are all living
for that day. I know I am.Copy !req
352. Fletch.
Don't bother about him.Copy !req
353. He's just ignorant.
Excuse me.Copy !req
354. For God's sake, come on!Copy !req
355. Good shot, man.Copy !req
356. Do that again. Here, give him
your weapon. Give him that.Copy !req
357. Do that again.Copy !req
358. One dime, he can't do it.
Dime? Dime on each of you.Copy !req
359. I want money.
That's a bet.Copy !req
360. Go on, boy.
Go ahead. Go ahead, Sharts.Copy !req
361. That's a dime on each of you!
Double or nothing!Copy !req
362. Attention, company!Copy !req
363. As you were.Copy !req
364. Front and center.Copy !req
365. You're a good shot, private.Copy !req
366. Thank you, sir.
Squirrel hunting.Copy !req
367. You ever killed a man?
No, sir.Copy !req
368. But you're handy with a gun.
Yes, sir.Copy !req
369. Reload.Copy !req
370. Faster.Copy !req
371. Faster!Copy !req
372. Discharge your weapon.Copy !req
373. Do it!Copy !req
374. Now do it again.
Only this time,
I want it done quickly.Copy !req
375. A good man can fire three
aimed shots in a minute.Copy !req
376. Major Forbes,
give me your Colt revolver.Copy !req
377. What?
Your gun.Copy !req
378. Give it to me.Copy !req
379. Faster.Copy !req
380. Reload.Copy !req
381. Quickly. Faster!Copy !req
382. Faster! Load.Copy !req
383. Faster!Copy !req
384. Do it! Do it!Copy !req
385. Do it!Copy !req
386. Teach them properly,
major.Copy !req
387. Yes, sir.Copy !req
388. Attention, company!Copy !req
389. Ready!Copy !req
390. Aim!Copy !req
391. Fire!Copy !req
392. Good morning, major.
You're up early.Copy !req
393. I wanna talk to you.Copy !req
394. Certainly.Copy !req
395. If you wouldn't mind
getting down from your horse.Copy !req
396. Better?Copy !req
397. Why do you treat
the men this way, Robert?Copy !req
398. How should I treat them?Copy !req
399. Like men?Copy !req
400. And what about Thomas?
Why are you so hard on him?Copy !req
401. He's not a very good soldier.
I'm getting these men
ready for battle.Copy !req
402. Robert, they're already as good
as the Seventh ever was.Copy !req
403. They march well. They're disciplined.
No thanks to you.Copy !req
404. I beg your pardon?
You heard me.Copy !req
405. Who do you think you are,
acting the high-up colonel?Copy !req
406. You seem to forget,
I know you...Copy !req
407. and so does Thomas.Copy !req
408. Forbes.Copy !req
409. If you don't believe in
what we're doing here,Copy !req
410. maybe you shouldn't be part of it.
Part of what?Copy !req
411. Huh?Copy !req
412. Left, right, left, right, little finger
along the seams of your trousers?Copy !req
413. Marching is probably all
they'll ever get to do, Robert.Copy !req
414. It is my job...Copy !req
415. to get these men ready.Copy !req
416. And I will.Copy !req
417. They have risked
their lives to be here.Copy !req
418. They have given
up their freedom.Copy !req
419. I owe them as much
as they've given.Copy !req
420. I owe them my freedom,Copy !req
421. my life, if necessary.Copy !req
422. Maybe so do you, Cabot.Copy !req
423. I think you do.Copy !req
424. Develop! Guard!Copy !req
425. Thrust! Develop!Copy !req
426. Guard! Thrust!Copy !req
427. Develop! Guard!Copy !req
428. You're not at dancing school,
son. Take his head off.Copy !req
429. Thrust! Develop!Copy !req
430. Guard!Copy !req
431. Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
what have we here?Copy !req
432. Bonnie Prince Charlie
and his little toy bayonet.Copy !req
433. You're not reading
your books now. Go on,
go on, get over there.Copy !req
434. Now stab me.
What?Copy !req
435. Stab me.Copy !req
436. Come on, stab,
not tickle. Hit me.Copy !req
437. Come on!Copy !req
438. You prissy little schoolgirl.Copy !req
439. You're the worst soldier
in this whole company.
Now hit me!Copy !req
440. No shame, son. Get up.Copy !req
441. I said, get up.Copy !req
442. Nigger forgot to duck.
That's all.Copy !req
443. Sergeant, deal with that man.Copy !req
444. Let me tell you
a wee secret, son.Copy !req
445. The only thing you're
to learn to do is to
keep your mouth shut.Copy !req
446. Save it, son. Save it.Copy !req
447. Carry on, Sergeant Mulcahy.Copy !req
448. First rank to the rear.
Back to work.Copy !req
449. Robert. Robert.Copy !req
450. I'd like to speak to you
for a moment in
private, if I may.Copy !req
451. Enlisted men wishing to speak
to their commanding officerCopy !req
452. must first get permission.Copy !req
453. You understand, private?Copy !req
454. Yes, sir.Copy !req
455. Guard! Thrust!Copy !req
456. Develop! Recover!Copy !req
457. Thrust! Develop! Recover!Copy !req
458. En garde!
Thrust! Develop! Recover!Copy !req
459. You better put some oomph
into that, boyo!Copy !req
460. Oh, my, my, my.Copy !req
461. Some things never change.Copy !req
462. I guess the whole world
hate the nigger.Copy !req
463. Boy, if you don't quit
that drumming in here...Copy !req
464. Honey, why don't
you take your drum on
outside and practice?Copy !req
465. That Colonel Shaw,
he a hard man.Copy !req
466. Yeah, swell.
Just a nigger-beating swell.Copy !req
467. But he in the same boat with us.Copy !req
468. Secesh come, take him,
kill him too.Copy !req
469. Not him.Copy !req
470. He a swell.Copy !req
471. He just a boy.Copy !req
472. Yeah. He a weak white boy.Copy !req
473. Beating on a nigger
make him feel strong.Copy !req
474. Ain't that right,
snowflake?Copy !req
475. You know, he ain't never been
to no West Point,Copy !req
476. and the only reason
he in charge,Copy !req
477. is because his mommy
and daddy fixed it.Copy !req
478. Ain't that so?Copy !req
479. Oh.Copy !req
480. You thought he was
different, didn't you?
Hmm?Copy !req
481. What you think now?Copy !req
482. You just thought
you was so smart,
didn't you, nigger?Copy !req
483. Yeah, you in real school
now though, ain't you?Copy !req
484. What you gonna do? Cry?Copy !req
485. Yeah, he sure enough
learning now, ain't he?Copy !req
486. Sergeant, post your sentries.
Yes, sir.Copy !req
487. Attention, company.Copy !req
488. Forward, march.Copy !req
489. Right face.Copy !req
490. Oh, shit.Copy !req
491. Young man say there's
a farm ain't but two or
three miles from here.Copy !req
492. Said the lady over there
give him biscuits and gravy.Copy !req
493. She said, if he bring
his friends, she feed them too.Copy !req
494. Don't even think about it.
What you say, buck?Copy !req
495. Biscuits and gravy sound
good to me. Maybe get
myself some real shoes.Copy !req
496. I'm telling you, boy.
They find out, they
liable to shoot you.Copy !req
497. Nigger, is you an old man
or is you an old woman?
I forget.Copy !req
498. All right.Copy !req
499. Collard greens.Copy !req
500. Corn bread.Copy !req
501. Come on, dream.Copy !req
502. I'm waiting on you.Copy !req
503. Throw it over here.Copy !req
504. Dear, Mother.Copy !req
505. News today of the defeat
at Fredericksburg.Copy !req
506. If things continue to go badly,
I wonder if I might not end my daysCopy !req
507. as an outlaw leader
of a band of fugitive slaves.Copy !req
508. Try as I may,
I don't know these men.Copy !req
509. Their music, their camaraderie,Copy !req
510. which is different from ours.Copy !req
511. I am placed in a position where,
if I were a man of real strength,Copy !req
512. I might do a great deal.Copy !req
513. But I am afraid I shall show
that I am not of much account.Copy !req
514. I don't want to stand in their way
because of my own weakness.Copy !req
515. I miss Christmas
on the Shaw Island,Copy !req
516. and the smell of the sea.Copy !req
517. Robert.Copy !req
518. It's Thomas.Copy !req
519. I just wanted to say...Copy !req
520. I wanted to say...Copy !req
521. Merry Christmas, Robert.Copy !req
522. Merry Christmas, Thomas.Copy !req
523. You're Shaw, aren't you?Copy !req
524. Merry Christmas.Copy !req
525. Kendric, division
quartermaster.Copy !req
526. This sorry piece
of work is Haggis.Copy !req
527. He writes vouchers.Copy !req
528. Pleasure.
Pleasure.Copy !req
529. How's it going down there?
Oh, very well. Thank you.Copy !req
530. That's all right.
Brass are all up to division,
planning the next disaster.Copy !req
531. You're among friends.Copy !req
532. How much longer
do you figure they last?Copy !req
533. I hear they're deserting,
10 at a time.Copy !req
534. Oh, you're misinformed.Copy !req
535. We haven't had a single incident.
See?Copy !req
536. I figure the nigs
never had it so good.Copy !req
537. Three square a day,
a roof over their heads.Copy !req
538. And they gotta know
that nobody's gonna
let them fight. Am I right?Copy !req
539. Yes, of course.Copy !req
540. Listen, if there's
anything you need.Copy !req
541. A bottle for the cold nights?
Yes, actually, I put in a requisitionCopy !req
542. for some shoes
two weeks ago,Copy !req
543. and I haven't
heard anything.Copy !req
544. Well, provisionally
speaking,Copy !req
545. we're extremely limited
as to footwear.Copy !req
546. I'm afraid that kind of item
has to be reservedCopy !req
547. for those units whose
fighting readinessCopy !req
548. supersede yours.Copy !req
549. You understand,
I'm sure.Copy !req
550. Yes, I understand.Copy !req
551. Excuse me.
Oh, stop by tomorrow.Copy !req
552. I have got my hands on
the most delicious local jam.Copy !req
553. Myrtle berry, isn't it?
Blueberry.Copy !req
554. Oh, right, right.Copy !req
555. Nice meeting you, Shaw.Copy !req
556. Twit.Copy !req
557. Excuse me, sir.
What is it?Copy !req
558. We've caught a deserter.Copy !req
559. Oh, lordy, this is bad.Copy !req
560. They ain't gonna
shoot him, is they?Copy !req
561. No.Copy !req
562. It'll be all right.Copy !req
563. Won't it?Copy !req
564. Re-form your ranks!Copy !req
565. Re-form your ranks!
Re-form your ranks!Copy !req
566. Fall in. Quiet in the ranks.Copy !req
567. Quiet in the ranks!Copy !req
568. Right. Untie his hands
and take off his coat.Copy !req
569. The prisoner is
in position, sir.Copy !req
570. What is this?Copy !req
571. The prisoner is to be flogged
before the entire regiment.Copy !req
572. Robert, not with a whip.
Not on them.Copy !req
573. Excuse us, Sergeant Mulcahy.
At your pleasure, colonel.Copy !req
574. Never question my
authority in front of others.Copy !req
575. Well, I is sorry, massa.
You be the boss man
now and all us chillunsCopy !req
576. must learn to obey.
Major Forbes, stand at attention.Copy !req
577. Sergeant Mulcahy.Copy !req
578. You may commence.Copy !req
579. Proceed.Copy !req
580. Attention.Copy !req
581. Mr. Rawlins.Copy !req
582. This morning I—Copy !req
583. It would be a great help
if I could talk to youCopy !req
584. about the men
from time to time.Copy !req
585. That's all.Copy !req
586. Shoes, sir.Copy !req
587. The men need shoes, colonel.Copy !req
588. Yes, I know. I've been
after the quartermaster
for some time now.Copy !req
589. No, sir. Now.Copy !req
590. The boy was off trying
to find hisself some
shoes, colonel.Copy !req
591. He wants to fight,Copy !req
592. same as the rest of us.Copy !req
593. More, even.Copy !req
594. All of the men, like this?Copy !req
595. Yes. Most of them.Copy !req
596. Good afternoon, colonel.Copy !req
597. You change your mind about
that bottle I was talking about?Copy !req
598. I want 600 pair of shoes
and 1200 pair of socksCopy !req
599. and anything else
you've been holding
out on us.Copy !req
600. Piece of rat filth.Copy !req
601. I'd love to help you, colonel,
but we just don't have any.Copy !req
602. Not for niggers, you don't.Copy !req
603. Not for anybody.
I see. Pity.Copy !req
604. I'll just have a look around,
see that you haven't
misplaced them.Copy !req
605. Hey.Copy !req
606. Hey!Copy !req
607. Son of a bitch!Copy !req
608. Damn it, you can't—
Can't I?Copy !req
609. I'm a colonel, nasty little cuss.Copy !req
610. You really think you can keep
700 Union soldiersCopy !req
611. without proper shoes
because you think it's funny?Copy !req
612. Where would that power come from?
All right, all right. Calm down.Copy !req
613. Look, have a drink.Copy !req
614. Hey, you barefoot men,
come on out here!Copy !req
615. Got something for you.Copy !req
616. Shoes! Shoes!Copy !req
617. Have a pair.Copy !req
618. Here's a pair there.
One pair of shoes here.Copy !req
619. Here's another pair.
One pair per customer.Copy !req
620. Steward, is there
anything you need?Copy !req
621. No, sir.
Keep me informed.Copy !req
622. Yes, sir. I will.Copy !req
623. Shoulder arms!Copy !req
624. Sir.Copy !req
625. From the War Department.Copy !req
626. Can anything
be done?Copy !req
627. They've got families.
I know.Copy !req
628. We'll protest this
through channels later on.Copy !req
629. Attention, battalion.
Yes, sir.Copy !req
630. Attention, battalion!Copy !req
631. You men enlisted in this regimentCopy !req
632. on the understandingCopy !req
633. that you would be paid
the regular Army wageCopy !req
634. of $13 a month.Copy !req
635. This morning I have
been notifiedCopy !req
636. that since you are
a colored regiment,Copy !req
637. you will be paid $10 a month.Copy !req
638. That ain't fair. They said 13.Copy !req
639. Regiment, fall out by company
to receive pay.Copy !req
640. Where you going, boy?
To get paid.Copy !req
641. Ten dollar,
a lot of money.Copy !req
642. Hey, pop, you fitting
to lay down for this too?Copy !req
643. Fall in!
Fall in!Copy !req
644. Hey. Hey, come on.
Where's your pride, now?Copy !req
645. Make your
mark right here.Copy !req
646. I can write my name.
Then do it.Copy !req
647. They give them $13,
only gonna give us but ten?
You gonna go for that?Copy !req
648. I mean, a colored soldier
stop a bullet just as good
as a white one!Copy !req
649. And for less money too!Copy !req
650. Yeah. Yeah, Uncle Abe got hisself
a real bargain here!Copy !req
651. Hey, what you say, boy?
That's right, slaves!Copy !req
652. Step right up, make your mark.
Get your slave wages.Copy !req
653. All you good colored boys,
go ahead and sign up.Copy !req
654. That's right.
Tear it up, tear it up.Copy !req
655. Tear it up! Tear it up!Copy !req
656. Get back in line!
Tear it up, tear it up!Copy !req
657. Tear it up, tear it up!Copy !req
658. Tear it up! Tear it up!Copy !req
659. Tear it up, tear it up, tear it up!Copy !req
660. Tear it up, tear it up,
tear it up, tear—Copy !req
661. If you men will take no pay,Copy !req
662. then none of us will.Copy !req
663. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.Copy !req
664. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.Copy !req
665. Let's hear it for the colonel!Copy !req
666. Yeah!Copy !req
667. Attention, battalion!Copy !req
668. Attention.Copy !req
669. Attention.Copy !req
670. Eyes right!Copy !req
671. Eyes front!Copy !req
672. Eyes...Copy !req
673. right.Copy !req
674. Mainly, I forgot how hot
it was down here.Copy !req
675. Welcome home, boy.Copy !req
676. Don't worry about it, buck.
Take a good look.Copy !req
677. It's all a memory
now that the North
man come.Copy !req
678. Now that we come.Copy !req
679. Colonel Shaw?Copy !req
680. Edward Pierce, special assignment
from Harper's Weekly.Copy !req
681. Harper's Weekly?
Serving an entire nation.Copy !req
682. Million readers want to
know what happensCopy !req
683. when the men
of the 54th see action.Copy !req
684. A million and one.Copy !req
685. Well, you'll want to see this.Copy !req
686. Attention, company!Copy !req
687. Rawlins, front and center.
Sir!Copy !req
688. Mr. Rawlins, this regiment
was formed with the promiseCopy !req
689. that only white officers
would be commissioned
to lead it.Copy !req
690. Nothing was
mentioned, however, about
noncommissioned officers.Copy !req
691. Therefore, in recognition
of initiative taken
not only for yourself,Copy !req
692. but on behalf
of the entire regiment...Copy !req
693. you are hereby awarded
the rank of sergeant major.Copy !req
694. Congratulations.Copy !req
695. Thank you, sir.
Hip, hip, hooray!Copy !req
696. Hip, hip, hooray!
Hip, hip, hooray!Copy !req
697. Congratulations.Copy !req
698. I ain't sure I'm
wanting this, colonel.Copy !req
699. I know exactly
how you feel.Copy !req
700. Mama, they're coming home!
They're coming home!Copy !req
701. That's right, hons.
Ain't no dream.Copy !req
702. We run away slaves,
but we come back fighting men.Copy !req
703. Go tell your folks
how kingdom come
in the year of jubilee!Copy !req
704. Left. Up tight up there.Copy !req
705. Left.Copy !req
706. Who are these ragamuffin?
Contrabands, right out of the fields.Copy !req
707. Hey. Hey, old man, where from?
Massachusetts.Copy !req
708. Oona march better than we.
Oona march like the buckra soldier.Copy !req
709. I beg your pardon?
He says we march like white soldiers.Copy !req
710. Even talk like
the buckra soldier.Copy !req
711. Where you from?
Oh, round about here.Copy !req
712. We were slaves in the field
when the Yankee man come.
Say we soldiers.Copy !req
713. How you like the
Army, contraband?Copy !req
714. Oh, we love it. We
thank the Lord every day
for the good vittles,Copy !req
715. and these beautiful
clothes. Tell true.Copy !req
716. This year, every day
like Christmas.Copy !req
717. Like what?
Like Christmas.Copy !req
718. Oh.Copy !req
719. Splendid.Copy !req
720. They've been working for weeks
in anticipation of your arrival.Copy !req
721. We're all very excited
to have you here, Shaw.Copy !req
722. Thank you, sir.
Lincoln's idea.Copy !req
723. Hired a group of
New EnglandersCopy !req
724. to teach our colored
how to read and write.Copy !req
725. Just your sort of people,
I should think.Copy !req
726. The regiment should
enjoy their stay here.Copy !req
727. Yes, I'm sure we'll have
a fine time, but that's
not why we're here.Copy !req
728. Well, can't promise
you much action. Just
having the coloreds aroundCopy !req
729. seems to have scared
the bejesus out of the Rebs.Copy !req
730. Colonel Shaw?
Excuse me.Copy !req
731. I'd like you to meet
some of our instructors.Copy !req
732. Dr. Thorpe of Salem.Copy !req
733. It's my pleasure, Colonel Shaw.
Pleasure.Copy !req
734. Dr. Rogers of Philadelphia.Copy !req
735. I know and admire your parents.
You do, sir? Why, thank you, sir.Copy !req
736. Shaw, meet
Colonel Montgomery.Copy !req
737. He's your brigade
commander.Copy !req
738. Colonel.
Honored, sir.Copy !req
739. Colonel Montgomery's
a real jayhawker from Kansas.Copy !req
740. Contraband regiment
is his brainchild.Copy !req
741. You didn't think yours were
the only coloreds around,
did you, colonel?Copy !req
742. I did, actually.
Well, I'm sure they'll do just fine.Copy !req
743. Have they seen any mischief?Copy !req
744. No, sir.Copy !req
745. I'm hiking a company
over to the Georgia coast
in the morning.Copy !req
746. We'll be foraging for supplies.
I could use a hand.Copy !req
747. That is, if you think
your men are up to it.Copy !req
748. They are indeed, sir.Copy !req
749. Good. Very good.Copy !req
750. A pleasure.
Good night.Copy !req
751. Beg to report, colonel, sir.Copy !req
752. The troop is fed
and bedded down
for the night, sir.Copy !req
753. Very good, corporal.
Pass the word along
to A companyCopy !req
754. we'll be going into action
in the morning.Copy !req
755. Very good, sir.Copy !req
756. Your men march handsomely,
colonel. My compliments.Copy !req
757. Thank you, sir.Copy !req
758. I am surprised at how well
you handle them.Copy !req
759. See, I am from Kentucky
originally and we owned
a few ourselves,Copy !req
760. so it comes naturally to me.Copy !req
761. You are from Boston, are you not?
Yes.Copy !req
762. It is impossible to imagine
Boston with slaves.Copy !req
763. Company, halt!Copy !req
764. Halt.
Shoulder arms!Copy !req
765. Town's clean, sir.
Ain't no Rebs here,
just some women.Copy !req
766. Well, all right.
You hear that, boys?Copy !req
767. Let's clear her out!Copy !req
768. What are you doing?
Liberating this townCopy !req
769. in the name of the Republic.
The musket, colonel?Copy !req
770. Never shoot it. Shoot now?Copy !req
771. Yeah, I don't see why not.
Go ahead.Copy !req
772. Shoot the lady, boys!Copy !req
773. Don't shoot! We ain't Secesh here.
That man is a civilian.Copy !req
774. That man is Secesh,
and Secesh is all the same,
son.Copy !req
775. Look around you. You really think
anybody's gonna put these boysCopy !req
776. into some real combat?Copy !req
777. Do you?Copy !req
778. They're little children.
Little monkey children.Copy !req
779. You just gotta know
how to control them.Copy !req
780. Please, let go! Oh, God!Copy !req
781. You see what I mean?
Children.Copy !req
782. Animal! Leave her alone!
Hey, boy.Copy !req
783. Take your hands
off the white lady.Copy !req
784. That would not have
been necessary if that
Secesh woman hadn't started it.Copy !req
785. They'll never learn.Copy !req
786. You see, Secesh has got to be
swept away by the hand of God,Copy !req
787. like the Jews of old.Copy !req
788. And now I'll have
to burn this town.Copy !req
789. Nigger soldiers!
Nigger soldiers!Copy !req
790. Tell your men to set torches
and prepare to fire the buildings.Copy !req
791. I will not.Copy !req
792. That is an order.Copy !req
793. You will do it or you will be
brought up on charges for
disobeying your superior soldier.Copy !req
794. It is an immoral order,
and by articles of war
I am not bound to obey it.Copy !req
795. Well, you can just explain
that at your court-maritalCopy !req
796. after your men are placed
under my command.Copy !req
797. First squad, second platoon.Copy !req
798. Fall out to set torches.
Prepare to fire the town.Copy !req
799. First squad, second platoon!
Fall out!Copy !req
800. Right face!Copy !req
801. Forward march!Copy !req
802. Change the colors,
sergeant major.Copy !req
803. Change the colors.Copy !req
804. What you looking at,
biscuit eaters?Copy !req
805. You think you better than me?
You think you my judge?Copy !req
806. You ain't nothing.Copy !req
807. Dear Father,
I need your help.Copy !req
808. Despite my many requests,
it has become clearCopy !req
809. that we are to be
used only for manual labor.Copy !req
810. Morale is low.Copy !req
811. The men's good humor
darkened by idleness and despair.Copy !req
812. Why keep drilling if they are
never given the opportunityCopy !req
813. to prove themselves?Copy !req
814. Attention!Copy !req
815. I have written to Governor Andrew
as well as toCopy !req
816. the general staff in Washington.Copy !req
817. But I feel that only a letter
directly from you to Lincoln himselfCopy !req
818. can have the desired effect.Copy !req
819. I can think of no other course.Copy !req
820. I am sure you both pray,
as I do,Copy !req
821. that all this has not been in vain.Copy !req
822. Look like we going
the wrong way.Copy !req
823. Hey. Hey, come on, now.
Buck up, boys.Copy !req
824. Hey, buck up, now. Come on.Copy !req
825. See, someday they're gonna
let the 54th get into it, see?Copy !req
826. And all your troubles
would be over, huh?Copy !req
827. Come on now,
cheer up. Hey.Copy !req
828. What did you say, boy?Copy !req
829. "Boy"? Let me tell you—Copy !req
830. Shut up, Trip—
Would you get up off me, snowflake?Copy !req
831. See, let me explain
something to you.Copy !req
832. See, the way I figure,
I figure this war would be
over a whole lot soonerCopy !req
833. if you boys just turn right
on around and head on
back down that wayCopy !req
834. and let us head
where the real fighting is.Copy !req
835. Them men
dying up that road.Copy !req
836. And it wouldn't be nothing
but Rebs dying, if they let
the 54th in it.Copy !req
837. Listen—
Hold it!Copy !req
838. As you were, Trip.
As you were!Copy !req
839. You men move on.Copy !req
840. Stripes on a nigger.Copy !req
841. That's like tits on a bull.Copy !req
842. You're looking at
a higher rank, corporal.Copy !req
843. Now, you'll obey
and you'll like it.Copy !req
844. Make me.
I'll make you.Copy !req
845. What the hell is going on here?
Attention!Copy !req
846. Attention!Copy !req
847. You! Yes, you. What's your name?
I'm putting you up on charges.Copy !req
848. Oh, there ain't no cause for that, sir.
What's that, sergeant?Copy !req
849. Well, I mean, it's just
a soldiers' fight, sir.Copy !req
850. All right, you men move along.
Front step! Forward! March!Copy !req
851. Move it!Copy !req
852. You men get back to work.
Back to work! Let's go!Copy !req
853. We'll see you again.
Go dig a latrine.Copy !req
854. Go strum a banjo, boy.Copy !req
855. Come on.Copy !req
856. I've got the guard.
Let me use your
looking glass.Copy !req
857. Thank you.Copy !req
858. Yeah, button
up that collar.Copy !req
859. Suck in that gut.Copy !req
860. Tuck in them
big, black lips.Copy !req
861. Lighten your skin.
Shrink up that nose.Copy !req
862. I don't have
to listen to this.Copy !req
863. Where you going, boy?Copy !req
864. Let me by.
Let you by?Copy !req
865. Let you by?Copy !req
866. Let me tell you
something, boy.Copy !req
867. You can march like the white man.
You can talk like him.Copy !req
868. You can learn his songs.
You can even wear his suits.Copy !req
869. But you ain't never
gonna be nothing to him,Copy !req
870. but an ugly-ass chimp
in a blue suit.Copy !req
871. Oh, you don't like that, do you?
No.Copy !req
872. Well, what we
gonna do about it?Copy !req
873. Want to fight me, boy?Copy !req
874. What you gonna
do about it?Copy !req
875. You want to fight me,
don't you?Copy !req
876. Don't you?Copy !req
877. Come on, nig.
All right! All right!Copy !req
878. Hey, get your hands
off me, gravedigger.Copy !req
879. Does the whole world
gotta stomp in your face?Copy !req
880. Nigger, get your hands off me.
Ain't no niggers around here.Copy !req
881. So the white man give you
a couple of stripes,Copy !req
882. next thing you know,
you ordering everybody
around like you the massa.Copy !req
883. Nigger, you ain't nothing
but the white man's dog.
Shit.Copy !req
884. And what are you?Copy !req
885. So full of hate you
just wanna go out
and fight everybodyCopy !req
886. because you've been whipped
and chased by hounds.Copy !req
887. That might not be living,
but it sure ain't dying.Copy !req
888. And dying's what these white boys
been doing for going on three years.Copy !req
889. Dying by the thousands.
Dying for you, fool.Copy !req
890. I know, because
I dug the graves.Copy !req
891. And all the time I'm digging,
I'm asking myself:Copy !req
892. "When? When, O Lord,
is it gonna be our time?"Copy !req
893. Well, time's coming when
we're gonna have to ante up.Copy !req
894. Ante up and kick in
like men. Like men!Copy !req
895. You watch who you call a nigger.Copy !req
896. If there are any niggers
around here, it's you.Copy !req
897. Smart-mouth, stupid-ass,
swamp-running nigger.Copy !req
898. If you ain't careful,
that's all you ever gonna be.Copy !req
899. You men go on
back to business.Copy !req
900. Ah, Shaw.Copy !req
901. Sit down.Copy !req
902. Well, colonel,
what can I do for you?Copy !req
903. You can give me and
my regiment a transfer
to combat command.Copy !req
904. Couldn't do it, colonel.Copy !req
905. You're much too valuable
to my operations here.Copy !req
906. May I sit?Copy !req
907. Thank you. Major.Copy !req
908. I've written a
letter to my father,Copy !req
909. asking him to press
Governor AndrewCopy !req
910. and President Lincoln.Copy !req
911. But I don't have to wait
for all that, do I?Copy !req
912. Colonel Montgomery, would you
bring that ashtray over here?Copy !req
913. But valuable to your
operations here, do you say?Copy !req
914. Your foraging,
your depredations?Copy !req
915. Yes, I've become quite
a student of your operations
in this region.Copy !req
916. Thirty-four mansions,
I think it was,
pillaged and burnedCopy !req
917. under Colonel Montgomery's
expedition of the Combahee.Copy !req
918. Four thousand bales of cotton
smuggled through the linesCopy !req
919. with payment
to parties unknownCopy !req
920. except by you.Copy !req
921. False quartermaster requisitions.Copy !req
922. Major Forbes here
has seen the copies.Copy !req
923. Yes, indeed.Copy !req
924. Along with confiscated valuables
shipped north as personal baggage.Copy !req
925. Shall I go on?Copy !req
926. Can you?Copy !req
927. I can report you
to the War Department.Copy !req
928. Oh, yes. I can do that.Copy !req
929. Let you take your regiment
out to fight.Copy !req
930. That's what you want,
isn't it?Copy !req
931. Show what they can do.Copy !req
932. When?
You are bright-eyed, aren't you?Copy !req
933. When?Copy !req
934. Just as soon
as I can write the orders.Copy !req
935. Major.Copy !req
936. Double-quick!Copy !req
937. All right, company, in a line.
Double-quick!Copy !req
938. All right, men, form a firing line.
Over here.Copy !req
939. Form a firing
line right here.Copy !req
940. Front rank, kneel!Copy !req
941. Steady, boys!Copy !req
942. Firing by battalion!Copy !req
943. Aim!
Aim!Copy !req
944. Charge!Copy !req
945. Fire!Copy !req
946. Cease-fire! Recover!Copy !req
947. Here they come!Copy !req
948. Reload!
Reload! Load!Copy !req
949. Load it! Load it!
Quickly, men!Copy !req
950. Ready!
Ready!Copy !req
951. Aim!
Aim!Copy !req
952. Get ready. Get ready.Copy !req
953. Fire!Copy !req
954. Reload!
Reload!Copy !req
955. Quickly.Copy !req
956. Fire at will!
Fire at will!Copy !req
957. Pour it in!Copy !req
958. Charge!Copy !req
959. Look out, boy! Look out!Copy !req
960. Fire!Copy !req
961. They're turning tail!Copy !req
962. Run, you Rebs!Copy !req
963. Another victory!Copy !req
964. Deploy skirmishers, captain.Copy !req
965. Re-form your ranks!
Re-form your ranks!Copy !req
966. Fall in, on the double.Copy !req
967. Form up! Form up!Copy !req
968. Let's do it.
Skirmish lines.Copy !req
969. Fall in! On the double!Copy !req
970. Form company!Copy !req
971. Thomas.Copy !req
972. How do, colonel?Copy !req
973. Hurts, doesn't it?Copy !req
974. Well, I'm extremely jealous.Copy !req
975. You'll be back in Boston
before me,Copy !req
976. sitting by the fire,
reading Hawthorne,Copy !req
977. cup of decent coffee.Copy !req
978. I'm not going back.Copy !req
979. Thomas, listen to me.
You're shot. You have to go back.Copy !req
980. Robert, promise meCopy !req
981. that you won't
send me back.Copy !req
982. Promise me.Copy !req
983. All right.Copy !req
984. Colonel Shaw!Copy !req
985. What is all this?
You haven't heard?Copy !req
986. Lee was turned back
in Pennsylvania
at Gettysburg.Copy !req
987. Now Grant's taken Vicksburg
and all on the Fourth of July.Copy !req
988. My God.
Yeah.Copy !req
989. I know. It looks like it'll
all be over by Christmas.Copy !req
990. So how did they do?
Splendid. Just splendid.Copy !req
991. Any casualties?
Forty-two.Copy !req
992. Oh, give me the details.
I'll wire it in.Copy !req
993. I don't think we got
a prayer of making
the paper.Copy !req
994. I'll talk to you
later in your tent.Copy !req
995. As you were.Copy !req
996. Trip, isn't it?
Yes, sir.Copy !req
997. You fought very
well yesterday, Trip.Copy !req
998. Sergeant Rawlins
has recommended that
you receive a commendation.Copy !req
999. Yes, sir.Copy !req
1000. Yes, and I think you should bear
the regimental colors.Copy !req
1001. Well—Copy !req
1002. It's considered
quite an honor.Copy !req
1003. Why not?Copy !req
1004. Well, I'm...Copy !req
1005. Wanting to say something, sir,
but I...Copy !req
1006. Go ahead.Copy !req
1007. All right. See...Copy !req
1008. I ain't fighting this war...Copy !req
1009. for you, sir.Copy !req
1010. I see.Copy !req
1011. I mean, what's the point?Copy !req
1012. Ain't nobody gonna win.
It's gonna go on and on.Copy !req
1013. It can't go on forever.
But ain't nobody gonna win.Copy !req
1014. Somebody's gonna win.Copy !req
1015. Who?Copy !req
1016. I mean, you, you get
to go on back to Boston,
big house and all that.Copy !req
1017. What about us?Copy !req
1018. What do we get?Copy !req
1019. Well, you won't get
anything if we lose.Copy !req
1020. What do you wanna do?Copy !req
1021. I don't know, sir.Copy !req
1022. It stinks, I suppose.Copy !req
1023. Yeah.Copy !req
1024. It stinks bad.Copy !req
1025. And we all covered up in it too.
I mean, ain't nobody clean.Copy !req
1026. Be nice to get clean though.Copy !req
1027. How do we do that?Copy !req
1028. We ante up and kick in, sir.Copy !req
1029. But I still don't wanna
carry your flag.Copy !req
1030. No one will ever take CharlestonCopy !req
1031. without first silencing the forts
which protect its harbor.Copy !req
1032. And the first one that must
be taken is that: Fort Wagner.Copy !req
1033. Wagner mounts
a 10-inch Columbiad,Copy !req
1034. three smoothbore 32-pounders,Copy !req
1035. a 42-pound carronade,Copy !req
1036. a 10-inch coast mortar,Copy !req
1037. and four 12-pound
howitzers,Copy !req
1038. plus a garrison of
about a thousand men.Copy !req
1039. As many of you gentlemen
may be aware,Copy !req
1040. for the last four days,
our Navy has weakened
WagnerCopy !req
1041. with a constant barrage.Copy !req
1042. Headquarters has determined
a time for our attack.Copy !req
1043. We will proceed
with a direct frontal assaultCopy !req
1044. tomorrow at dusk.Copy !req
1045. The problem, gentlemen,
is the approach.Copy !req
1046. The ocean and the marsh
leave only a narrow strip of sand.Copy !req
1047. A natural defile through
which we can only send
one regiment at a time.Copy !req
1048. Our best hope is that
that leading regiment can
keep the Rebs occupiedCopy !req
1049. long enough for reinforcements
to exploit the breach.Copy !req
1050. Needless to say,Copy !req
1051. casualties in the leading regiment
may be extreme.Copy !req
1052. General Strong.Copy !req
1053. The 54th MassachusettsCopy !req
1054. requests the honor of leading
the attack on Fort Wagner.Copy !req
1055. It's Colonel Shaw, isn't it?Copy !req
1056. Yes, sir.Copy !req
1057. You and your men
haven't slept for two days.Copy !req
1058. That's right, sir.Copy !req
1059. You think they have the strength
to lead this charge?Copy !req
1060. There's more to fighting
than rest, sir.Copy !req
1061. There's character.Copy !req
1062. There's strength of heart.Copy !req
1063. You should have seen us
in action two days ago.Copy !req
1064. We were a sight to see.Copy !req
1065. We'll be ready, sir.Copy !req
1066. When do you want us?Copy !req
1067. Tomorrow, we go into battle.
All right.Copy !req
1068. So, Lordy, let me fight
with the rifle in one hand,Copy !req
1069. and the Good
Book in the other.Copy !req
1070. Amen, brother.
Amen.Copy !req
1071. That if I should die
at the muzzle of the rifle,Copy !req
1072. die on water or on land,Copy !req
1073. I may know that you,
blessed Jesus Almighty,
are with me.Copy !req
1074. With Jesus. With us.
That's right.Copy !req
1075. And I have no fear. Amen.Copy !req
1076. Amen.
Amen.Copy !req
1077. Lord,Copy !req
1078. we stand before you
this eveningCopy !req
1079. to say thank you.
Thank the Lord.Copy !req
1080. We thank you, Father,Copy !req
1081. for your grace
and your many blessings.Copy !req
1082. Yes, sir.Copy !req
1083. Now, I run off,Copy !req
1084. and left all my young'uns
and my kinfolk in bondage.Copy !req
1085. So I'm standing here
this evening, Heavenly Father,Copy !req
1086. to ask your blessings
on all of us.Copy !req
1087. So that if tomorrow
is our great getting-up
morning,Copy !req
1088. if tomorrow we have to meet
the Judgment Day,Copy !req
1089. oh, Heavenly Father,
we want you to let our folks knowCopy !req
1090. that we died facing
the enemy.Copy !req
1091. We want them to know
that we went down standing up—Copy !req
1092. Yes, Lord!Copy !req
1093. —among those that are fighting
against our oppression.Copy !req
1094. We want them to know,
Heavenly Father,Copy !req
1095. that we died for freedom.Copy !req
1096. We ask these blessings
in Jesus' name. Amen.Copy !req
1097. Amen.
Amen.Copy !req
1098. Trip. Come on.Copy !req
1099. No, I—
You better get your butt up there, boy.Copy !req
1100. Just say what you think.
Just say what you feel.
Go on now.Copy !req
1101. Come on.
Preach it, brother.Copy !req
1102. Uh...Copy !req
1103. Go on, let it out.Copy !req
1104. I ain't much about
no praying now.Copy !req
1105. Well, you always
say your piece.Copy !req
1106. I ain't never had
no family and...Copy !req
1107. Killed off my mama.
Well...Copy !req
1108. This feels funny.Copy !req
1109. Come on.
It's all right.Copy !req
1110. Come on now.
You're doing fine.Copy !req
1111. Well, I just—Copy !req
1112. Um...Copy !req
1113. You know, y'all's— Y'all's—Copy !req
1114. Y'all's the onliest family I got.Copy !req
1115. Well, that's all right.Copy !req
1116. And...Copy !req
1117. I love the 54th.Copy !req
1118. All right.Copy !req
1119. Ain't much matter
what happens tomorrowCopy !req
1120. because we men, ain't we?Copy !req
1121. Yes, sir.
Amen.Copy !req
1122. We men, ain't we?
Yes, sir.Copy !req
1123. Shit.
All right, man.Copy !req
1124. Attention, company!
Attention, company!Copy !req
1125. Attention, company!Copy !req
1126. Attention, company!Copy !req
1127. Battalion, halt!Copy !req
1128. We ready, colonel.Copy !req
1129. Left. Left. Left, right.Copy !req
1130. Left. Left. Left, right.Copy !req
1131. Give them hell, 54th!
Give them hell, 54th!Copy !req
1132. Ready, fire!
Ready, fire!Copy !req
1133. Ought to be quite a show, Pierce.
Best seat in the house.Copy !req
1134. I wonder if you might
do something for me.Copy !req
1135. I have some letters here.Copy !req
1136. Personal things.Copy !req
1137. Certainly, colonel.Copy !req
1138. Also, if I should fall...Copy !req
1139. remember what you see here.Copy !req
1140. Ready!
Ready!Copy !req
1141. Fire!
Fire!Copy !req
1142. Fire!
Reload!Copy !req
1143. Reload!
Fire!Copy !req
1144. You men are relieved.Copy !req
1145. Report to the rear
as stretcher bearers.Copy !req
1146. Do it now!
Right face!Copy !req
1147. Forward, march!Copy !req
1148. You go on, honey.
We be by directly.Copy !req
1149. Shaw!Copy !req
1150. Shaw!Copy !req
1151. Shaw!Copy !req
1152. If this man should fall...Copy !req
1153. who will lift the flag and carry on?Copy !req
1154. I will.Copy !req
1155. Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!Copy !req
1156. I'll see you in the fort, Thomas.Copy !req
1157. Fix!
Fix!Copy !req
1158. Bayonets!Copy !req
1159. Shoulder!
Shoulder!Copy !req
1160. Arms!Copy !req
1161. Charge!
Charge!Copy !req
1162. Bayonets!Copy !req
1163. At the quickstep!
At the quickstep!Copy !req
1164. Forward!Copy !req
1165. March!Copy !req
1166. Double-quick time!Copy !req
1167. March!Copy !req
1168. Steady, boys!Copy !req
1169. Charge!Copy !req
1170. Come on!Copy !req
1171. Forward!Copy !req
1172. Keep your ranks!Copy !req
1173. Take cover in the dunes!Copy !req
1174. Take cover!Copy !req
1175. Company commanders,
we'll wait here and advance
under cover of darkness.Copy !req
1176. Men, get down over there!
Get down!Copy !req
1177. Company commanders,
order your men to wait here!Copy !req
1178. Get down!Copy !req
1179. Get down!Copy !req
1180. Sergeant Rawlins!
Sir!Copy !req
1181. Pass the word along!Copy !req
1182. Forward on my command!Copy !req
1183. Ready on the colors, men!Copy !req
1184. Forward on my command!Copy !req
1185. Ready!Copy !req
1186. Charge!
Charge!Copy !req
1187. Forward, men! Forward!Copy !req
1188. Forward!Copy !req
1189. I've been hit!Copy !req
1190. Forward! Forward, men!Copy !req
1191. Come on, men, forward!Copy !req
1192. Come on, you men! Come on!
Don't stop! Get up there!Copy !req
1193. No!Copy !req
1194. Come on!Copy !req
1195. Come on, 54th!Copy !req
1196. Robert!Copy !req
1197. Come on!Copy !req
1198. Charge!Copy !req
1199. My eye!Copy !req
1200. Rally!Copy !req
1201. Rally!Copy !req
1202. Form a firing line right here!
No!Copy !req
1203. Get out of here!Copy !req
1204. Fire!Copy !req
1205. Let's go! Move! Move!Copy !req
1206. Come on! Come on!Copy !req