Gods and Generals Page #2

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Though unhost should encamp against

me, my heart shall not fear.

The wall should rise up against me.

In this will I be comforted."

Secession is inexcusable. Southerners

and Northerners can still work together.

Slavery will eventually die

of natural causes.

But the breakup of the Union

will inaugurate wars...

...of a hundred generations in America...

...only to repeat the bloody

history of Europe.

As a Christian man,

my first allegiance is to God.

Then to my state, the state of Virginia.

Every state has a primal claim

to the fealty of her citizens...

...and they justly control

their allegiance.

If Virginia adheres

to the United States, I adhere.

Her determination must control mine.

This is my understanding of patriotism.

And though I love the Union,

I love Virginia more.

Private Jenkins,

because of the high regard...

...with which I hold your father,

you are free to do as you please.

You may return to his new home

in Pennsylvania.

It is your decision.

But, if you decide to stay with us...

...you may never again leave. If you do,

you'll be treated as a deserter.

Colonel Jackson, sir. Father.

I am a soldier in the 4th Virginia.

And in the 4th Virginia I will stay.

And if needs be, die.

- Then I will take my leave.

- No, sir.

It is I who will leave the two of you to

have some time together on your own.

You may have this room as

long as you require it.

Thank you.

Farewell, colonel.

May we meet again in happier times.

And if not in this troubled world

may we meet in...

In heaven.

- Parade, rest!

- We're ready.

Men of the valley.

Citizen soldiers.

I am here at the order of General Robert

E. Lee, commanding all Virginia forces.

On April 15 of this year

of our Lord, 1861...

...Simon Cameron, the secretary of war

of the United States...

...sent a telegram to our governor to

raise three regiments of infantry...

...to be sent to assist in suppressing

the Southern Confederacy.

Governor Letcher's answer is well

known to you, but perhaps not his words.

His wire to Washington stated:

"You have chosen to inaugurate civil war.

Having done so, we will meet you

in a spirit as determined...

...as the Lincoln administration

has exhibited toward the South."

Two days later the Virginia legislature

were voting for secession.

Just as we would not send any of our

soldiers to march in other states...

...and tyrannize other people...

...so will we never allow the armies

of others to march into our states...

...and tyrannize our people.

Like many of you, indeed most of you,

I've always been a Union man.

It is not with joy or with a light heart

that many have welcomed secession.

Had our neighbors to the North practiced

a less bellicose form of persuasion...

...this day might not have come.

But that day has been thrust upon us...

...like it was thrust upon our ancestors.

The Lincoln administration required

us to raise three regiments.

Tell them we have done so.

Dismissed.

Attention, company!

- Good morning, sir.

- Reverend Pendleton.

- How goes it with the artillery today?

- You're just in time for a christening.

The men have decided

to name the howitzers:

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

I'm sure your men will spread the gospel

wherever they encounter the enemy.

Has my son proven a worthy adjutant?

I'm certain Captain Pendleton will prove

himself deserving of the family name.

Thrust! Develop! Die!

Captain White.

How fare the scholars

of Washington College?

Are they making their transition

from books to bullets?

A few more days of drill, and my boys

will surpass the cadets of VMI.

Drill, Professor White, drill and drill.

Remember Alexander in Anatolia.

Caesar in Gaul. Napoleon in Iberia.

We march by day,

and read Xenophon by night.

- We will be your Greek phalanx.

- Then you must begin with the bayonet.

The bayonet must be for a Virginian

what the sarissa was for a Macedonian.

If the Yankees dare set foot in Virginia,

we must show them the bayonet.

Train with the bayonet

and we shall keep our freedom.

Yes, sir.

Blue, gray, green, even red uniforms.

How we to know who the enemy is?

You dang fool, you just shoot

at the man that's shooting at you!

I thought we was gonna be trained.

I could of done this walking

on my own back in Staunton.

I never seen you walk in your life when

you didn't have to. Nor me, neither.

What man in his senses

would cross his street...

...when he could just be

sitting on his front porch?

I done more walking this week than in

my life and my daddy's life put together.

Who'll give us fresh shoes when these

are but tatters and old bits of laces?

You'll excuse me, gentlemen.

Lieutenant Colonel Stuart

reporting for duty.

Colonel Stuart.

- That's an impeccable hat, sir.

- Thank you, sir.

- Colonel Stuart. You use tobacco?

- No, sir. Not in any form.

Neither do I. I find I like it too much.

Sit down.

I understand from your record that

you are West Point, class of '54.

Served since in the cavalry,

Ft. Clark, Texas.

Operations against Apache,

Comanche. You are a native Virginian.

Fought with Longstreet and Ewell, sir.

Nasty business. Merciless climate.

Glad to be home, sir.

The Apache were defending their

homes, as we will be defending ours.

If we fight as well as the Apache,

I pity the Yankee invader.

Colonel Stuart, if I had my way we

would show no quarter to the enemy.

No more than the redskins showed your

troopers. The black flag, sir.

If the North triumphs, it is not alone

the destruction of our property.

It is the prelude to anarchy, infidelity...

...the loss of free

and responsible government.

It is the triumph of commerce.

The banks, factories.

We should meet the invader on

the verge of just defense...

...and raise the black flag. No quarter to

the violators of our homes and firesides.

Our political leadership is too timid to

face the reality of this coming war.

They should look to the Bible.

It is full of such wars.

Only the black flag will bring the North

to its senses and rapidly end the war.

Well, colonel.

One way or the other, the South

will give them a warm reception.

You'll be in charge of the cavalry

in the Harper's Ferry district.

Your experience and your zeal

will be invaluable.

Thank you, sir.

And, colonel...

...know that I will tell my men always

to gallop toward the enemy...

...but trot away.

"Trot."

The ratification vote for secession is in.

Reporting from all the counties of

Virginia, the vote is 4-to-1 in favor.

And I'm proud to report that the vote

in the Shenandoah Valley...

...is 3130 in favor, 10 against!

In my own Rockbridge County, only one

person voted against leaving the Union.

It must have been the village idiot!

Soldiers! Commanding

General Johnston's orders:

"General Beauregard is being attacked

at Manassas Junction...

...by overwhelming forces."

We have been ordered to cross

the Blue Ridge to his assistance.

Every moment now is precious...

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