Glory (film)

"Robert Gould Shaw, the son of wealthy Boston abolitionists, was 23 years old when he enlisted to fight in the War between the States.He wrote home regularly, telling his parents of life in the gathering Army of the Potomac.These letters are collected in the Houghton Library of Harvard University."

"The 54th Massachusetts Brigade lost over half its number in the assault on Ft. Wagner. The supporting white brigades also suffered heavily before withdrawing.The fort was never taken.As word of their bravery spread, Congress at last authorized the raising of black troops throughout the Union. Over 180,000 volunteered.President Lincoln credited these men of color with helping turn the tide of the war."

"[first lines, in a letter] 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 killed, for they are collecting such a force here that an attack 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, ready to fight fro 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, and 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 honored 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."

"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 honor, which has brought us together, will one day restore this Union. May God bless us all!"

"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 learned this from long hours of meaningless, inhuman work to set their minds free so quickly. It gives them great energy. And there is no doubt we will leave this state as fine a regiment as any that as marched. As ever, your son, 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 have given. I owe them my freedom...my life if necessary."

"If you men will take no pay, then none of us will! [holds up his own paycheck and tears it in half]"

"Dear Father, I need your help. Despite my many requests, it has become clear that we are to be used only for manual labor. Morale is low. The men's humor darkened by idleness and despair. Why keep drilling if they are never to be given the opportunity to prove themselves? 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."

"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?"

"[Last words] Come on, Fifty-Fourth!"

"For God's sake, men, you march like a bunch of crippled old goats! Jesus Christ, we're gonna be here day and night till we get this right! One, one! Company, halt! About-face! You are ugly Mexican, African fucking whores! We're gonna work on this day and night till we get this right, gentlemen. Forward at the half step. March!"

"[to Thomas Searles] 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?! [Searles glances at him] Well, don't look at me! [grabs his jaw, points his face forward] Look straight ahead! Look straight ahead! I'll eat your ass up, boy-o!"

"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."

"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."

"[addressing the 54th the night before battle] I ain't much about no prayin,' now. I ain't never had no family, and...killed off my mama. Well, I just...Y'all's the onliest family I got. I love the 54th. Ain't even much a matter what happens tomorrow, 'cause we men, ain't we? We men."

"Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins: [to a group of children] That's right, honeys. Ain't no dream. We runaway slaves, but we come back fightin' men. Go tell your folks how kingdom come in the year of jubilee!"

"Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins: If tomorrow is our great getting up moment...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'em to know, that we went down standing up! Amongst those that are fighting against our oppression. We want'em to know, Heavenly Father, that we died fighting for freedom!"

"Pvt. Jupiter Sharts: [praying aloud] Tomorrow we goes into battle. So Lordy, let me fight with the rifle in one hand and the Good Book in the other. So that if I may die at the muzzle of the rifle...die on water, or on land, I may know that you blessed Jesus almighty are with me...and I will have no fear."

"Union Corporal: "Give'em hell 54th!""

"Matthew Broderick - Col. Robert Gould Shaw"

"Denzel Washington - Pvt. Trip"

"Cary Elwes - Maj. Cabot Forbes"

"Morgan Freeman - Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins"

"Jihmi Kennedy - Pvt. Jupiter Sharts"

"Andre Braugher - Cpl. Thomas Searles"

"John Finn - Sgt. Maj. Mulcahy"

"Donovan Leitch - Capt. Charles Morse"

"JD Cullum - Henry Sturgis Russell"

"Alan North - Gov. John Andrew"

"Bob Gunton - Gen. Harker"

"Cliff De Young - Col. James M. Montgomery"

"Richard Riehle - Kendric, quartermaster"

"Raymond St. Jacques - Frederick Douglass"