Glory1989

[The 54th has just entered the mostly deserted town of Darien]

Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins:
Town's clean, sir. Ain't no Rebs here, just some women.

Colonel James M. Montgomery:
Well, all right. You here that, boys? Let's clear her out!

[the soldiers start looting the town]

Colonel Robert G. Shaw:
What are you doing?

Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins:
Liberating this town in the name of the Republic.

Soldier:
The musket, master Colonel. Never shoot it. Shoot now?

Colonel James M. Montgomery:
Yeah, I don't see why not. Go ahead.

Soldier:
Shoot the lady, boys! [shoots at figurehead on hotel]

Man:
[runs out] Don't shoot! We ain't Secesh here!

Colonel Robert G. Shaw:
That man is a civilian!

Colonel James M. Montgomery:
That man is Secesh, and Secesh is all the same, son. [the soldiers fire at the man, who runs off] Look around you, look at 'em. You really think anybody's gonna put some boys into some real combat? Do you? I mean, they're little children for God's sake. Little monkey children. You just gotta learn how to control them.

[A scream is heard, Shaw and Montgomery look over to see a soldier fighting with a white woman and her black servant over some silverware]

Colonel James M. Montgomery:
You see what I mean? Children.

Woman:
[hits soldier] Animal! Leave her alone! [the soldier grabs and starts choking her]

Colonel James M. Montgomery:
Hey, boy! Take your hands off the white lady. [the soldier ignores him, Montgomery pulls out his pistol and shoots the man dead] Now that would not have been necessary if that Secesh woman hadn't started it. They'll never learn. You see, Secesh has got to be swept away by the hand of God, like the Jews of old. And now I'll have to burn this town.

Woman:
N*gger soldiers! N*GGER SOLDIERS!

Colonel James M. Montgomery:
Tell your men to set torches and prepare to fire the buildings.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw:
I will not.

Colonel James M. Montgomery:
That is an order. You will do it, or you will be brought up on charges for disobeying your superior officer.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw:
It is an immoral order, and by articles of war, I am not bound to obey it.

Colonel James M. Montgomery:
Well, you can just explain that at your court-martial. After your men are placed under my command.

Colonel Robert G. Shaw:
[long pause, to his men] First squad, second platoon. Fall out to set torches. Prepare to fire the town.

Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins:
First squad, second platoon! Fall out!

[The soldiers proceed to set fire to the buildings]