Glory quotes

View Quote Pvt. Jupiter Sharts: [after getting handed a musket] I can knock something down with this!

View Quote [in a letter] Dear Mother, They learn, learn quickly, faster than white troops it seems to me. They are almost grave and sedate under instruction and they restrain themselves. But the moment they are dismissed from drill every tongue is relaxed and every ivory tooth is visible and you would not know from the sound of it that this is an army camp. They must have learned this from long hours of meaningless, inhuman work to set them free so quickly. It gives them great energy. And there is no doubt we will leave this state as fine a regiment as any that as marched. As ever, your son, Robert.

View Quote If you men will take no pay, then none of us will.

View Quote 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?

View Quote Let me tell you something, boy. You can march like the white man, you can talk like him. You can sing his songs, you can even wear his suits. But, you ain't NEVER gonna be nothing to him, than an ugly ass chimp... in a blue suit.

View Quote Rawlins: [about Col. Shaw] He's just a boy.
Trip: He a weak white boy, and beatin' on a **** make him feel strong.

View Quote Rawlins: The town is clean sir. Ain't no rebs here, just some women.
Col. Montgomery: You hear that! Let's clear er out!
[His men begin looting the town]
Shaw: What are you doing?
Col. Montgomery: Liberating this town in the name of the Republic.

View Quote Trip: I ain't fightin' this war for you, sir.
Shaw: I see.
Trip: I mean, what's the point? Ain't nobody gonna win. It's just gonna go on and on.
Shaw: Can't go on forever.
Trip: Yeah, but ain't nobody gonna win, sir.
Shaw: Somebody's gonna win.
Trip: Who? I mean, you get to go on back to Boston, big house and all that. What about us? What do we get?
Shaw: Well, you won't get anything if we lose.

View Quote 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, will one day restore this Union. May God bless us all.

View Quote [Shaw approaches Rawlins after having Trip horse-whipped for deserting]
Shaw: Mr. Rawlins... this morning, I... it would be a great help to me if I could talk to you from time to time about the men. That's all.
[turns to leave]
Rawlins: Shoes, sir.
Shaw: I beg your pardon?
Rawlins: The men need shoes, Colonel.
Shaw: Yes, I've been after the quartermaster for some time.
Rawlins: No, sir. Now. The boy ran off to find him some shoes, Colonel. He wants to fight. Same as the rest of us. More, even.

View Quote [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 tomorrow, 'cause we men, ain't we? We men.

View Quote [about his paycheck, after the 54th learns they will be paid less than an all-white regiment] Tear it up! Tear it up! TEAR IT UP!

View Quote [Handing a journalist his letters home] Got some letters here, personal things. Also, if I should fall, remember what you see here.

View Quote [to Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins] ****, is you an old man or is you an old woman? I forget.

View Quote Trip: Hey, yo, ****, that's my spot, see.
Searles: If you don't mind, there's more sufficient reading light here.
Trip: Oooh, I like it when ****s talk good as white folks!
Searles: I'd be happy to teach you.
Trip: Now, listen here, I ain't got nothin' to learn from no house ****, you hear?
Searles: I am a free man, like my father before me.
Trip: Oh, really? Then move your free black ass out my spot, see!