Glory Page #2

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l won't permit

that kind of fraternization.

But it's only Thomas.

He's an enlisted man.

You're right, of course.

l've sent for help.

These men need a proper teacher.

For God's sake, men,

you march like crippled old goats.

Christ! We'll be here day and night

until it's right.

A one, one.

Company, halt.

About face.

You are ugly Mexican-

African f***ing whores!

We'll work on this

day and night, gentlemen.

Forward at the half step, march!

One!

You half-wit black bastard.

Do they cut your balls off at birth?

l'm gonna work on you, bastard,

until l get you broken in.

Company, halt!

For God's sake!

Do you not know right from left?

No, sir.

How many here

do not know right from left?

Jesus, have pity!

This is your front.

This is your rear.

This is your right and this-

Now you're learning, boyo.

Company, forward march.

A one, one, one.

- Two.

- One, two, one, two...

You bloody Hindus!

Get it right.

Stop.

Start it again.

ln each rank.

Go.

Left, left,

left, right, left.

Quite louder, march!

Left, l-

Get your goddamn hands

out of your pocket, soldier!

Left, left, right, left.

Bonnie Prince Charlie,

are you a gentleman?

Are you a member of Congress?

Or are you the bloody prince of Africa?

Don't look at me.

Look straight ahead.

l'll leash your ass up, boyo.

The lrish are not known

for their fondness for the coloureds.

What about the uniforms?

Still no word.

The rifles?

See to it.

You've got a lot to learn.

You haven't had no master like me.

Dear Mother:

The men learn very quickly...

...faster than white troops,

it seems to me.

They're 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 wouldn't know from the sound

of it that this is an Army camp.

They must've learned this...

...from hours of meaningless,

inhuman work....

To set their minds free so quickly...

...it gives them great energy.

And there's no doubt

we'll leave this state...

...as fine a regiment as any

that has marched.

As ever, Your son, Robert.

They've done it.

Assemble the men.

Attention!

ln accordance with

President Lincoln's wishes...

...you men are advised

that the Confederate Congress...

...has issued a proclamation.

lt reads:

''Any Negro taken in arms

against the Confederacy...

...will immediately be returned

to a state of slavery.

Any Negro taken in federal uniform...

...will be summarily put to death.

Any white officer taken

in command of Negro troops...

...shall be deemed as

inciting servile insurrection...

...and shall likewise be put to death.''

Full discharges will be granted

in the morning...

...to all those who apply.

Dismissed.

Dismissed.

lf you're not here in the morning...

...l understand.

Still want that blue suit, n*gger?

- Good morning, major.

- Sir! Formed and ready, sir!

How many are left?

Attention!

Glory, hallelujah!

Company, halt.

You're not dismissed, boyo.

Get up.

You'll fall out when l say

and not before. You understand?

l said, get up!

Sergeant major.

Sir.

At ease, sergeant.

l have no doubt that you are

a fair man, Mulcahy.

l wonder if you are

treating these men too hard.

You disagree.

You may speak freely.

The boy's your friend, is he?

We grew up together.

Yes.

Let him grow up some more.

- l see.

- Will that be all, sir?

Dismissed.

Fifty-seven caliber

Enfield rifle musket.

- Best in the world here, boy.

- Sharts?

One, one, nine, one, one.

- Think you can handle that?

- l can knock something down with this.

Trip?

- One, two, one, nine, two.

- Beautiful.

Otman?

One, two, one, eight, six.

- Jefferson?

- Yes, sir.

Robert...

Finally.

There's a rumour going around that

we'll be used only for manual labour.

You can't believe

the kind of things we hear.

lt's not true, is it?

About not being allowed to fight?

The men are all living for that day.

l know l am.

Don't bother about him.

He's just ignorant.

Excuse me.

For God's sake, come on!

Do that again.

Here, give him your weapon.

Do that again.

One dime, he can't do it.

- A dime on each of you.

- That's a bet.

Go on, boy. Go ahead.

Go ahead, Sharts.

- That's a dime on each of you.

- Double or nothing.

Attention, company!

Attention, company!

As you were.

Front and centre.

You're a good shot, private.

Thank you, sir.

Squirrel hunting.

- You ever killed a man?

- No, sir.

- But you're handy with a gun?

- Yes, sir.

Reload.

Faster.

Faster.

Faster!

Discharge your weapon.

Discharge your weapon.

Do it!

Now do it again. Only this time,

l want it done quickly!

A good man can fire

three aimed shots in a minute.

Major Forbes,

give me your Colt revolver.

- What?

- Your gun.

Give it to me.

Faster.

Reload.

Quickly. Faster!

Faster! Load.

Do it!

Do it!

Teach them properly, major.

Yes, sir.

Attention, company!

Ready!

Aim!

Fire!

Good morning, major.

You're up early.

l want to talk to you.

Certainly.

You wouldn't mind getting down

from your horse?

Better?

Why do you treat the men this way?

How should l treat them?

Like men.

And what about Thomas?

Why are you so hard on him?

He's not a very good soldier.

l'm getting these men

ready for battle.

They already march well.

They're disciplined.

No thanks to you.

- l beg your pardon?

- You heard me.

Who do you think you are,

acting the high-up colonel?

You seem to forget l know you.

And so does Thomas.

Forbes!

lf you don't believe

in what we're doing here...

...you shouldn't be a part of it.

A part of what?

'' Left, right, left!? Little finger

along the seams of your trousers!?''

Marching is probably

all they'll ever get to do.

lt is my job to get these men ready.

And l will.

They have risked their lives to be here.

They have given up their freedom.

l owe them as much as they have given.

l owe them my freedom...

...my life, if necessary.

Maybe so do you, Cabot.

l think you do.

Develop! Guard! Thrust!

Develop! Guard! Thrust!

Develop! Guard!

You're not in dancing school, son.

Take his head off!

Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

What have we here?

Bonnie Prince Charlie

and his little toy bayonet.

You're not reading your books now.

Go on, go on. Get over there.

- Now stab me.

- What?

Stab me.

Come on, stab, not tickle.

Hit me.

Come on.

You prissy little schoolgirl!

You're the worst soldier

in this company. Now hit me!

No shame, son.

Get up.

l said, get up!

N*gger forgot to duck, that's all.

Sergeant, deal with that man.

l can tell you're very smart, son.

The only thing you have to learn to do

is to keep your mouth shut.

Save it, son.

Save it.

Carry on, Sergeant Mulcahy.

l'd like to speak to you

for a moment in private...

...if l may?

Enlisted men wishing to speak

to their commanding officer...

...must first get permission.

You understand, private?

Yes...

...sir.

My, my!

Some things never change.

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