Trip: I ain't fightin' this war for you, sir. Colonel Robert G. Shaw: I see. Trip: I mean, what's the point? Ain't nobody gonna win. It's just gonna go on and on. Colonel Robert G. Shaw: Can't go on forever. Trip: Yeah, but ain't nobody gonna win, si...
Trip: [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 t...
Colonel Robert G. Shaw: If you men will take no pay, then none of us will.
John Rawlins: Where about you from? Trip: I'm from around Tennessee. I ran away when I was 12 years old and I ain't never looked back. Sharts: What ya doin' since then? Trip: I run for President. [laughter] Trip: I didn't win though.
Colonel Robert G. Shaw: So what do you want to do? Trip: Don't know, sir. Colonel Robert G. Shaw: It stinks, I suppose. Trip: Yeah, It stinks bad. And we all covered up in it too. Ain't nobody clean. Be nice to get clean, though. Colonel Robert G. Sh...
Jupiter Sharts: [praying aloud] Tommorrow 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...
[Soldiers from the 54th Massachusetts marching through Union soldiers, they will soon attack Fort Wagner] 10th Connecticut soldier: Give 'em Hell, 54! All: Give 'em Hell, 54!
Colonel Robert G. Shaw: [points at the flag-bearer] If this man should fall, who will lift the flag and carry on? [Thomas steps forward] Cpl. Thomas Searles: I will. Colonel Robert G. Shaw: I'll see you in the fort, Thomas.
Colonel Robert G. Shaw: [writing to his mother, telling her that he's seen his first negroes amongst those fleeing the south] We fight for men and women whose poetry is not yet written but which will presently be as enviable and as renowned as any.
Colonel Robert G. 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?
Rawlins: He's just a boy. Trip: He a weak white boy, and beatin' on a nigger make him feel strong.
Trip: 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. 10th Connecticut soldier: We got men ...
Colonel Robert G. Shaw: Never, question my authority in front of others Major Forbes: Well I is sorry, mas'sa. You be the boss-man now and all us chill'ins must learn your ways.
Colonel Robert G. Shaw: Sgt. Mulcahy! Sgt. Mulcahy: Sir! Colonel Robert G. Shaw: I have no doubt you a fair man, Mulcahy. I wonder if you are treating the men a little hard. [Sgt. Mulcahy pauses] Colonel Robert G. Shaw: You may speak freely. Sgt. Mul...
Major Forbes: Why do you treat the men this way, Robert? Colonel Robert G. Shaw: How should I treat them? Major Forbes: ...Like men?
Colonel Robert G. 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, wil...
[the 54th learns they will be paid less than an all-white regiment. Trip gets mad, and refuses his pay] Trip: Tear it up! Tear it up! TEAR IT UP! [all the men begin tearing up their checks]
Sgt. Mulcahy: Left! Right! Left! Sgt. Mulcahy: [to Sharts] Sgt. Mulcahy: What the hell are you doing, boy? Don't you know your right from your left? Sharts: N-n-no, sah. Sgt. Mulcahy: No? How many here do not know right from left? Sgt. Mulcahy: [Half...
