I actually loved the movie "Glory." Sorry.I just wanted to put that out there. But the fact that sooo many African Americans volunteered for the 54th regiment surprised me! So many people volunteered and they stayed! Even when they heard about all of the consequences that could happen if they were captured by the Conferderate. That part inspired me a little. :) The experiences of the African Americans were harsh, however I think Colonel Shaw made it a little easier for them (I feel like they knew what he was doing for them and that led to them caring for Shaw more than any regiment will ever care for their leading general) However, the fact that the colored soldiers would get less pay was a little unfair but also predictable, seeing that African Americans were not necessarily America's favorite race. However! It was not right, seeing that the Union started fighting for the freedom of slaves and African American rights since the Emancipation Proclamation was, well, proclamed. It was predictable for the colored regiment to receive uniforms and rifles a little later than the others and also the chance to fight in battle a bit delayed, but for the men of the colored regiment to be deprived of clean shoes and socks?!?! That was news to me! And also something that I realized I would not be able to live without, strengthening my admiration for the African American soldiers. They had a tough life, from the "bullying" from the other regiments, a tough drill sergant, high ranked generals who wouldn't put the men into battle, the runaway slaves not being properly disciplined and yet laughing at the 54th, and long cold sleepless nights, to internal issues about the fears and doubts of the war and the external issues about physical health or the health and well-being of their families back home. I think this movie seemed very real, except the parts where Shaw ordered things for his men; that seemed a little bit more hollywood-ized. Also in battle, where Shaw keeps running, ahead of everyone else and seemingly dodging all of the cannon bullets...and when there's a moment of silence when Shaw gets shot and Trip dramatically comes to him and carries the flag and gets shot also...those parts seemed a little hollywood-ized, but other than that, I really enjoyed this movie and I feel like I can understand what it was like for the soldiers during the Civil War.
Actually, in the real battle for fort Wagner, there was a man named William Carney who went on to become the first black Medal of Honor earner. Carney saw the flag bearer fall, and, just like Trip did in the movie, picked it up. Carney held on to it even though he got shot many times, so the part where Trip goes forward and risks his life to get the flag wasn't that far off from reality.
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