Hi Dolores,
In response to your query on Glory, we must first remember that most any movie
coming from Hollywood for national release, is going to have some inaccuracy,
just because of the nature of the movie business. They are in the business to
entertain, and if making the movie steches the truth a little bit, well, who's
going to care, because, they're not historians, but entertainers.
Anyway, first let me say, that I do think Glory was a fine film, and while I am
not very knowledgeable on the 54th and Robert Shaw, I have read some things
that contradict what, and how they were portrayed during the film.
First, as I understand it, Robert Gould Shaw, was, and for lack of a better
term, considered a momma's boy. He worshiped his mother, and really did
whatever she wanted. His mother was a staunch abolitionist, and it was she who
pushed Robert for the command of the 54th. Shaw, prior to his taking over the
54th, really didn't care one way or the other about the plight of the black
people, and on occasion, resorted to using derogatory phrases common for that
time period, in his thoughts on the blacks. He was really considered a spoiled
brat, who really always got his way, except when it came to mother who always
got her way, and so, her wish was that he command this regiment of black
soldiers, and he did.
Now, mind you, he grew to admire the black man, and the black people as a whole
based on this command. His respect and love for them really bloomed, and he was
proud of what they could do, and really pushed hard on his superiors to
allow them to prove themselves, or show their mettle as one might say. It is
this reborn Shaw who is portrayed throughout the movie.
Secondly, the movie portrays the 54th, or it appears to me they portray the
54th, as being comprised of poorly educated blacks, and former slaves. My
understanding is that the 54th was more comprised of blacks similar to the
character of Thomas, who is Shaw's black friend in the movie, than to the
farmhands that are portrayed. The black businessman was more the norm for the
54th, and when one considers the area from which it was recruited,
Massachusetts, the first state to abolish slavery, the seat of abolition, then
I would tend to view this portrait of the 54th as being true.
I am sure there were reviews of Glory in at least one of the Civil War
publications, however, I can not recall which ones at this moment, nor their
cover date.
There are two books of which I know that might assist you in better
understanding of the role of the black soldier during the war.
Forged in Battle:The Civil War Alliance Between Black Soldiers and White
Officers by Joseph Glathaar
Blue-Eyed Child of Fortune:The Civil War Letters of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw.
by Russell Duncan
I hope this helps somewhat? Like I said, I am not all that familiar with the
54th or Shaw, but have read a couple of things, and this is the impression I
have received during those times.
Regards,
Jeff Fioravanti