The story starts with a twenty three-year old union captain named Robert Gould Shaw. Shaw was a member of a wealthy and influential family in Boston. His family was well known to the Governor of Massachusetts and Frederick Douglas a well-known speaker and abolitionist. Shaw had been hardened by the horrors of war he experienced in the south’s first major incursion into the north at the battle of Antietam. His unit is almost decimated by confederate forces. He is wounded and taken to a federal hospital. After returning home on medical leave Shaw learns that there is to be a new regiment comprised of black volunteers. Upon being offered command of the regiment Shaw accepts and is promoted to Colonel Robert Shaw of the 54th

Their chance to prove themselves came two days after the fight at James Island. A major assault was being planned on the Confederate stronghold Fort Wagner. General Strong the union regional commander had recruited the 54th along with two other regiments for the attack. Strong had noted Colonel Shaw’s request for combat assignment and figured they would be a booster for morale to have a new regiment willing to fight.

As the troops are assembled the white soldiers line up along the sides of the path to the front. The 54th marches through with white soldiers looking on. There is a silence at first and for a second you almost expect a derogatory insult. But then as they march by and the color guard comes through the white soldiers yell “give em hell 54th!” This feeling of support and acceptance by the other troops seems to strengthen the men’s resolve.

The regiment’s training phase is depicted as a period of bonding and trying times for the men. They gain respect for themselves and the men training with them. For a time some of the men seem resentful of Colonel Shaw particularly Trip. But a powerful scene in the movie helps change opinion throughout the ranks. The men are lining up to receive their first pay check and while in line Shaw reads a decree that states colored soldiers shall be paid ten dollars a month compared to white soldiers’ regular thirteen dollars a month. Some of the men accept the lesser amount but Trip is furious saying “a black soldier can stop a bullet just as good as a white man can.” The scene shows the men’s strong sense of pride as they began to realize what they were becoming. They were becoming soldiers just like white men in training and if they were to be payed less because they were black then they would accept no pay at all. Trip rallies the men to take their checks and “tear it up” once Shaw sees this he realizes how the men feel he gets their attention and says “if you men will accept no pay then none of us will” and he tears his check up as well. I think this scene changes the mens opinion of Shaw because they realize that while he is their commander he respects their pride and this is his way of showing his respect to them.

The advance on Fort Wagner

Some topics in this essay:
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