Delores:
_The Sable Arm_ (University of Kansas Press, 1987) is by Dudley
Cornish and is an excellent source. One of the first in depth studies of
the Black oldiers in the Civil War
_The Negro's Civil War_ (Balantine, 1991) by James McPherson links
primary sources into a chronological account of the war.
_One Gallant Rush_(St. Martin's Press, 1965) by Peter Buchard was one of
the main sources for the movie.
In terms of accuracy, what is NOT in _Glory_ is, I think, significant.
Frederick Douglass was a prime mover in the organization of the 54th.
His "One Gallant Rush" speech was left on the cutting room floor. Also
neglected was the fact that two of his son's fought with the 54th. Lewis
Douglass became the Master Sergeant.
The first Black Medal of Honor winner carried the flag back from the
parapet. Numerous writings by him and others were available.
Shaw was not quite the abolitionists as his parents, especially his
mother. (Didn't Matthew Broderick capture his hesitancy well?) Also, Shaw
was married during the war.
The white officers of the 54th did refuse their pay and joined
the enlisted men's protest.
James Montgomery's actions and Shaw's reactions to them seem to be
accurately portrayed.
Shaw never ordered the whipping of any of his men. Denzel
Washington's tear was worth an Academy Award, but bad history.
The statement that the fort was never taken is also misleading. The
Union troops began digging zig-zag trenches up to the fort which offered
them protection from fire. When they neared the parapet, the Confederates
simply abandoned the fort. Plate XLIV, 4 of the OR reflects this
operation in great detail.
The hoaky ending where Shaw lies on Tripp's breast in the burial
trench is also accurate accordin to Confederate observers.
This is my favorite Civil War movie, but I am also aware that the
story was much richer than Hollywood chose to tell.
One more note. The chant that accompanies the battle is a rip-off of
Karl Orff's _Carmina Burana_ whic was dubbed in the preview tape. Still,
the Harlem Boy's Choir made this soundtrack a part of the movie in a
spectacular way.
I am trying to track down a source for a quote from Shaw which the
screenwriter's changed to make it politicaly (but not historically)
correct. I will post it if I can track it down.
Sincerely,
Dennis Lawrence
lawrence@tyrell.net
On Wed, 3 Aug 1994, Robert Alan
Harris wrote:
> Date: Wed, 03 Aug 1994 08:19:21 -0500 (EST)
> From: Kurt Mosser <MOSSER@checkov.hm.udayton.edu>
> Subject: Re: QUERY: "Glory"
>
> RE: "Glory"
> Dolores:
>
> You might try to find a copy of *The Sable Arm*; I've forgotten the
> author's name, but i believe it to be a well-regarded discussion of
> the role african-americans played in the wbts, and goes much deeper
> into the issues than the movie, of course.
>
> Kurt Mosser
> mosser@checkov.hm.udayton.edu]
>