Glory Quotes

Sergeant Mulcahy For God's sake, man! Do you not know your right from your left?

Jupiter Sharts N-No, sir.

Sergeant Mulcahy 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, boy-o. Company! Forward, march!

Colonel Robert G. Shaw Mr. Rawlins...this morning, I...it would be a great help if I could talk to you from time to time about the men. That's all.

John Rawlins Shoes, sir. The men need shoes, Colonel.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw Yes, I've been after the quartermaster for some time.

John Rawlins No, sir. Now. That boy ran off to find him some shoes, Colonel. He wants to fight. Same as the rest of us. More, even.

Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins 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 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!

Colonel Robert Gould Shaw 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!

Trip Look like we goin the wrong way. Hey. Hey, come on now, buck up boys! Hey, buck up now, come on! Be someday they gonna let the 54th get into it, see! And all your troubles would be over. Come on now, cheer up!

10th Connecticut Corporal What'd you say, boy?

Trip Boy? Hey, let me tell you...

Thomas Searles Shut up, Trip.

Trip Would you get up off me, snowflake? See, let me explain something to you. See, the way I figure, I figure this war would be over a whole lot sooner if you boys just turned right on around and headed back on down that way, and you let us head on up there where the real fighting is.

Union Soldier There are men dyin up that road.

Trip And there wouldn't be nothing but Rebs dyin if they'd let the 54th in it.

Union Solder Listen-

Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins Hold it! As you were, Trip! As you were! You men move on.

10th Connecticut Corporal Stripes on a nigger. That's like tits on a bull!

Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins You're lookin at a higher rank, Corporal. You'll obey and you'll like it.

10th Connecticut Corporal Make me.

Trip I'll make you!

Major Cabot Forbes WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!

Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins Attention!

Major Cabot Forbes You! Yes, you! What's your name? I'm putting you up on charges!

Sgt. Maj. Rawlins There ain't no cause for that, sir.

Major Cabot Forbes What's that, Sergeant?

Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins It's just a soldiers fight, sir.

Major Cabot Forbes All right. You men move along. MOVE IT!

Colonel Robert Gould Shaw 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?

Major Forbes 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.

Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins Town's clean, sir. Ain't no Rebs here, just some women.

Colonel James M. Montgomery Well, all right. You here that, boys? Let's clear her out!

Colonel Robert G. Shaw What are you doing?

Colonel James M. Montgomery Liberating this town in the name of the Republic.

Soldier The musket, master Colonel. Never shoot it. Shoot now?

Colonel James M. Montgomery Yeah, I don't see why not. Go ahead.

Soldier Shoot the lady, boys!

Man Don't shoot! We ain't Secesh here!

Colonel Robert G. Shaw That man is a civilian!

Colonel James M. Montgomery That man is Secesh, and Secesh is all the same, son. Look around you, look at em. You really think anybody's gonna put some boys into some real combat? Do you? I mean, they're little children for God's sake. Little monkey children. You just gotta learn how to control them.

Evil Racist White Woman Animal! Leave her alone!

Colonel James M. Montgomery Hey, boy! Take your hands off the white lady. Now that would not have been necessary if that Secesh woman hadn't started it (EXACTLY! You go die, Rayciss Whitey!). They'll never learn. You see, Secesh has got to be swept away by the hand of God, like the Jews of old. And now I'll have to burn this town.

Evil Racist White Woman Nigger soldiers! NIGGER SOLDIERS!

Colonel James M. Montgomery Tell your men to set torches and prepare to fire the buildings.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw I will not.

Colonel James M. Montgomery That is an order. You will do it, or you will be brought up on charges for disobeying your superior officer.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw It is an immoral order, and by articles of war, I am not bound to obey it.

Colonel James M. Montgomery Well, you can just explain that at your court-martial. After your men are placed under my command.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw First squad, second platoon. Fall out to set torches. Prepare to fire the town.

Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins First squad, second platoon! Fall out!

Colonel Robert Gould Shaw 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 ] 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.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw Sergeant Major!

Sergeant Mulcahy Sir!

Colonel Robert G. Shaw At ease, Sergeant.

Sergeant Mulcahy Sir.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw I have no doubt you are a fair man, Mulcahy. I wonder if you are treating these men too hard. You disagree. You may speak freely.

Sergeant Mulcahy The boy's your friend, is he?

Colonel Robert G. Shaw We grew up together, yes.

Sergeant Mulcahy Let him grow up some more.

Colonel Robert Gould Shaw If you men will take no pay, then none of us will!

Sergeant John Mulcahy 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!

Colonel Robert G. Shaw You're a good shot, private.

Jupiter Sharts Thank you, sir. Squirrel hunting.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw You ever killed a man?

Jupiter Sharts No, sir.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw But you're handy with a gun.

Jupiter Sharts Yes, sir.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw Reload. Faster. Faster. Faster! Discharge your weapon. Discharge your weapon. Do it! Now do it again, only this time, I want it done quickly! A good man can fire three aimed shots in a minute. Major Forbes, give me your Colt revolver.

Major Cabot Forbes What?

Colonel Robert G. Shaw Your gun. Give it to me. Faster. Reload. Quickly! Faster! Faster! Load. Faster! Do it! DO IT!! DO IT! DO IT! Teach them...properly, Major.

Placards 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.

Colonel Robert Gould Shaw 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.

Edward Pierce Colonel Shaw. Edward Pierce, special assignment from Harper's Weekly.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw Harper's Weekly?

Edward Pierce Serving an entire nation. A million loyal readers want to know what happens when the men of the 54th see action.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw A million and one. Well, you'll want to see this.

Major Cabot Forbes Attention, company! Rawlins, front and center.

John Rawlins Sir!

Major Cabot Forbes 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.

John Rawlins Thank you, sir.

Soldiers Hip, hip, hooray! Hooray! Hooray!

Colonel Robert G. Shaw Congratulations.

John Rawlins I ain't sure I'm wanting this, Colonel.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw I know exactly how you feel.

Private Trip 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.

Major Cabot Forbes Why do you treat the men this way, Robert?

Colonel Robert G. Shaw How should I treat them?

Major Cabot Forbes Like men? And what about Thomas? Why are you so hard on him?

Colonel Robert G. Shaw He's not a very good soldier. I'm getting these men ready for battle.

Major Cabot Forbes Robert. They're already good as the 7th ever was. They march well, they're disciplined.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw No thanks to you.

Major Cabot Forbes I beg your pardon?

Colonel Robert G. Shaw You heard me.

Major Cabot Forbes Who do you think you are, acting the high-up colonel?! You seem to forget, I know you. And so does Thomas.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw Forbes! If you don't believe in what we're doing here, maybe you shouldn't be part of it.

Major Cabot Forbes Part of what? Huh?! "Left, right! Left, right! Little finger along the seams of yer trousers!" Marching is probably all they'll ever get to do, Robert.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw 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. Maybe so do you, Cabot. I think you do.

Colonel Robert Gould Shaw Come on, Fifty-Fourth!

Quartermaster Kendric Good afternoon, Colonel. Change your mind about that bottle I was talking about?

Colonel Robert G. Shaw I want 600 pairs of shoes and 1200 pairs of socks...and anything else you've been holding out on us, you piece of rat filth.

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

Colonel Robert G. Shaw Not for niggers, you don't!

Quartermaster Kendric Not for anybody.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw I see. Pity. I'll just look around to see if you haven't misplaced them, hmm?

Quartermaster Kendric HEY!

Colonel Robert G. Shaw Where are they, you son of a bitch?!

Quartermaster Kendric Damn it, you can't-!

Colonel Robert G. Shaw Can't I?! I'm a colonel, you 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?!

Trip Yeah, button up that collar. Suck in that gut. Tuck in them big black lips. Lighten your skin, shrink up that nose.

Thomas Searles I don't have to listen to this.

Trip Where you goin', boy?

Thomas Searles Let me by.

Trip Let you by? Let you by. Let me tell you something boy. You can march like the white man. You can talk like him. You can learn his songs. You can even wear his suits. But you ain't never gonna be nothing to him but an ugly ass chimp in a blue suit. Oh, you don't like that, do you?

Thomas Searles No.

Trip Well, what we gonna do about it? Want to fight me, boy? Huh? What you gonna do about it? You want to fight me, don't you? Don't you? Come on, nig.

John Rawlins All right! All right!

Trip Hey, get your hands off me, gravedigger!

John Rawlins Goddamn it! Does the whole world gotta stomp on your face?

Trip Nigger, you better get your hands off me!

John Rawlins Ain't no niggers around here, you hear me?

Trip Oh, I see. So the white man give you a couple of stripes, next thing you hollerin and orderin everybody around, like you the massa hisself! Nigger, you ain't nothin but the white man's dog! Shit.

John Rawlins And what are you? So full of hate you just want to go out and fight everybody because you've been whipped and chased by hounds. Well, that might not be living, but it sure as hell ain't dying. And dying's what these white boys been doin for going on three years now, dying by the thousands! Dying for you, fool! I know, cuz I dug the graves. And all the time I'm diggin', I'm askin myself, "When? When, O Lord, is it gonna be our time?" Well, time's comin when we're gonna hafta ante up. Ante up and kick in like men. LIKE MEN! You watch who you callin nigger. There's any niggers round here, it's YOU! Smart-mouthed, stupid-ass, swamp-runnin nigger. If you ain't careful, that's all you ever gonna be.

Colonel Robert Gould Shaw 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.

Army Surgeon Heard the latest?

Captain Robert G. Shaw What's that?

Army Surgeon Well, I heard it from a friend who's a dispatch rider, who got it from a friend of his who's one of Stanton's clerks in the War Office. He says Lincoln is gonna issue an ]. Gonna free the slaves.

Captain Robert G. Shaw What?

Army Surgeon Well, maybe not the ones in the border states or somethin', I don't know, but he's gonna free some of em, anyway.

Captain Robert G. Shaw My God.

Army Surgeon Yeah, he said he would have done it sooner, only he was waiting on a big victory, which is, I guess what ] is.

Private Trip 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.

General Charles Harker Ah, Shaw. Sit down. Well, Colonel, what can I do for you?

Colonel Robert G. Shaw You can give me and my regiment a transfer to combat command.

General Charles Harker Couldn't do it, Colonel. You're much too valuable to my operations here.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw May I sit? Thank you. Major. I've written a letter to my father, asking him to press Governor Andrew and President Lincoln. But I don't have to wait for all that, do I?

General Charles Harker Colonel Montgomery, would you bring that ashtray over here?

Colonel Robert G. Shaw But valuable to your operations here, do you say? Your foraging, your depredations? Yes, I've become quite a student of your operations in this region. Thirty-four mansions, I think it was, pillaged and burned under Colonel Montgomery's expedition of the Combahee. Four thousand bales of cotton smuggled through the lines with payment to parties unknown, except by you. False quartermaster requisitions. Major Forbes here has seen the copies.

Major Cabot Forbes Yes, indeed. Along with confiscated valuables shipped north as personal baggage.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw Shall I go on?

General Charles Harker Can you?

Colonel Robert G. Shaw I can report you to the War Department. Oh, yes. I can do that.

General Charles Harker Let you take your regiment out to fight. That's what you want, isn't it? Show what they can do.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw When?

General Charles Harker You are bright-eyed, aren't you?

Colonel Robert G. Shaw When?

General Charles Harker Just as soon as I can write the orders.

Francis Shaw Robert. Governor Andrew, you know my son, Robert.

Governor John Andrew Yes, good to see you again, Robert.

Captain Robert G. Shaw Governor Andrew.

Francis Shaw Robert, have you met Frederick Douglass?

Captain Robert G. Shaw Mr. Douglass.

Governor John Andrew I understand you were Antietam.

Captain Robert G. Shaw Yes.

Governor John Andrew A great and a terrible day. Well, I could use your help, Robert.

Francis Shaw The governor is proposing to raise a regiment of negro soldiers.

Governor John Andrew No, no, no, it was not just my idea. Mr. Douglass and some of us...

Frederick Douglass We will offer pride and dignity to those who have known only degradation.

Sarah Shaw Colored soldiers, Robert. Just think of it.

Captain Robert G. Shaw Wonderful.

Governor John Andrew I've submitted your name, Robert, to be commissioned colonel of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry.

Captain Robert G. Shaw Thank you, governor, that's...It's a wonderful idea.

Placards 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.

Sergeant John Mulcahy 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?! Well, don't look at me! Look straight ahead! Look straight ahead! I'll eat your ass up, boy-o!

Sergeant Mulcahy Thrust! Develop! Guard! You're not a dancing school son, take his head off! Thrust! Develop! Guard! Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, what have here? Bonny Prince Charlie and his little toy bayonet. Your not reading your books now. Go on, go on, get over here, get over here. Now stab me.

Thomas Searles What?

Sergeant Mulcahy Stab. Me. Stab, not tickle! Hit me! Come on! You prissy little schoolgirl, you're the worst Soldier in this whole company, now hit me! No shame son, get up. I said get up!

Trip Nigger forgot to duck, that's all.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw Sergeant, deal with that man.

Sergeant Mulcahy Let me tell you a wee secret, son. The only thing you're to learn to do is to keep your mouth shut.

John Rawlins Save it, son. Save it.

Sergeant Mulcahy First rank to the rear, back to work!

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

Colonel Robert G. Shaw Enlisted men wishing to speak to their commanding officer, must first get permission. You understand, private?

Thomas Searles Yes, sir.

Colonel Robert Gould Shaw 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.

Trip Wait, no. That's my space, nigger. I sleep better close by the door.

Thomas Searles Well, if you don't mind, I'd prefer a space where there's more sufficient reading light.

Trip Oh, I like it when niggers talk good as white folk!

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

Trip Hey, listen here, snowflake, I ain't got nothin to learn from no house nigger, you hear?

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

Trip Oh, you free, huh? Then move your free black ass out my space, before I have to bust it up!