All language subtitles for exvid-gagdc-cd1-eng

BLAIR: Welcome, Colonel Lee.
Welcome to my home.

Make yourself comfortable
there, colonel.

Allow me to get to the point, sir.

I have been authorized by
President Lincoln himself...

...with the full blessing
of the War Department...

...to offer you full command of the Army
with the rank of major general.

This Army being raised to quell this,
uh, rebellion and to preserve the Union.

I assume this Army is to be used
to invade those areas...

...to eliminate the rebellion by force.

Yes, sir, the Federal government
has been challenged by these rebels...

...who have been most effective in changing
the sentiments of state legislatures...

...challenging our Constitution
and challenging our central government.

The attack on Fort Sumter
cannot be ignored.

General, my home is right there
across the Potomac.

Why, you can see Arlington House
from your front door.

My family is spread all
over this part of Virginia.

If you invade the South, your enemy
territory will be right across that river.

Well, sir, there is no great outcry
for secession in, uh, Virginia.

It's not a foregone conclusion that
Virginia or Tennessee or Arkansas...

,..or Kentucky will join the rebellion.

My friend, may I humbly submit that
you're mistaken about Virginia.

As you know, the legislature is
convening in Richmond this very day...

,..to discuss the very issue of secession.

Now, perhaps you know their mind
better than they themselves.

And I regret to say the president's
hasty calling up of 75,000 volunteers...

,..to subdue the rebellion
in the cotton states...

...has done nothing to ameliorate
the crisis, It has only deepened it.

I trust you're not being
too hasty yourself, colonel.

This is a great opportunity
for you to serve your country.

My country, Mr. Blair?

I never thought I'd see the day
the president of the United States...

...would raise an army
to invade his own country.

No, Mr. Blair, I cannot lead it.
I will not lead it. No.

I'm sorry to hear you say that, sir.

I fear you're making
a most dreadful mistake.

Sir, please convey my deep sense of
honor and gratitude to the president...

,..but I must decline his offer.

Please tell him.

Please be clear. I have
never taken my duties lightly...

...but I have no greater duty
than to my home, to Virginia.

Thank you, sir.

[SOLDIER SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]

JACKSON: Gentlemen, if you are going
to succeed at this institution...

...you have one common goal:
To learn your lessons.

If you are placing
your energies elsewhere...

...you will not succeed either with me
or in your careers as military officers.

I had hoped you'd see that with a
proper grasp of the artillery principles...

...I've laid before you today,
you would learn to apply...

...these principles with great
effectiveness in your Held experiences.

But since you seem unable
to grasp these principles...

...I'm forced to conclude I must repeat
this lesson tomorrow, word for word.

Word for word.

[CROWD SHOUTING NEARBY]

CROWD [CHANTING]:
Secession! Secession! Secession!

Hoist it! Hoist it up!

Major, listen to them.
The leaders of our intellectual future...

,..screaming for the destruction
of our nation!

Sir, President Lincoln is raising
the troops.

I will not stay in a place where my
students dishonor their country's flag.

Major, I'm leaving
for Pennsylvania tomorrow.

War is the sum of all evils.

But if I know myself,
all I am and all I have...

...is at the service of my
home, my country.

Your country, Thomas?

Your country, my country. it's all one.

All one, Thomas. All one.

So that in the midst of the searching
of souls and the gnashing of teeth...

,..the delegates of this convention...

...harried by the actions of a belligerent
usurper and the radicals of his party...

,..have stumbled into secession.

Now God knows, I and many
in this room have resisted it.

But how could there be union
with a section of the country...

...that wants to impose
its will through coercion?

Now that Virginia confronts the armed
might of the United States...

...we Virginians have determined
that not one spot of her sacred soil...

...be polluted by the foot of an invader.

[CROWD CHEERING]

God bless Virginia!

Now, in the memory of that great
Virginian, George Washington...

...who was first in the hearts
of his countrymen and calling also...

...upon the memory of his own gallant
father, General Light-Horse Harry Lee..

...this convention now calls upon
Robert Edward Lee to take command...

...of the armed forces of
the Citizen Army of Virginia.

[CROWD CHEERING]

Mr. President, gentlemen
of the convention...

...I'm profoundly impressed
by the solemnity of the occasion...

...for which I must say
I was not prepared.

I accept the position assigned me
by your partiality.

I would have much preferred had
your choice fallen on an abler man.

But trusting to Almighty God,
an approving conscience...

...and the aid of my fellow citizens...

...I devote myself to the service
of my native state...

...in whose behalf alone will I
ever again draw my sword.

[CROWD CHEERING]

[PLAYING PIANO]

We must not fear the final result of this
war, but many a loved one will fall...

...and many a heart throb
with anguish...

...before we can breathe the exhilarating
atmosphere of freedom...

...and feel the sweet assurance
of safety and peace once more.

There's nothing in this life more dear
to me than my children...

...except perhaps the memory
of your wonderful father.

When you go to Richmond,
and wherever this war takes you...

...you must not fear for us.
We will be with you wherever you go.

Surely goodness and mercy have
followed me all the days of my life.

Now be on your way,
and God be with you.

Y'all be coming on back, you hear?

We'll be back, Martha.

[MARCHING BAND
PLAYING UPBEAT MUSIC]

Mr. Wilkes, sir.

Would you be kind enough
as to autograph my playbill?

I was never much interested
in Shakespeare...

-Mm-hm.
-...until I saw you play Richard III.

"A horse! A horse!
My kingdom for a horse!"

Was ever woman in this humor wooed?

Was ever woman in this humor won?

[cs-[CHUCKLES]]

Say, uh, haven't I seen you someplace?

WOMAN:
Why, of course you have.

This here is Mr. Wilkes Booth,
the finest actor in all of Richmond.

All the world's a stage...

,..and we but its poor players.

What better role than a soldier's
in defense of his home...

,..his honor...

,..and his beloved?

[CROWD CHEERING]

Good morning, major.
This just arrived for you.

Cadet Norris, return to the Institute.
My compliments to Colonel Smith,

I will be at his office
within the half-hour.

Sir.

"You are ordered to report with the
corps of cadets to camp instruction...

...to begin training and organization
of the Provisional Army...

...for the defense of the
Commonwealth of Virginia."

My esposita.

Come, before I leave, we must sit...

,..read together, the verse.

Here.

Yes, here. Corinthians--
Second Corinthians, chapter five.

I have been thinking about this verse.

"For we know that if our earthly house
of this Tabernacle were dissolved".

,..we have a building of God.

A house not made with hands,
eternal in the heavens."

O, Almighty God...

...grant that if it be thy will...

...thou wilt still avert the threatening
danger and bring us peace.

Keep her whom I love in
thy protected care.

And bring us all at last to
the joy of thy eternal kingdom.

[MARCHING BAND PLAYING
UPBEAT MUSIC]

[CROWD CHEERING]

MAN 1;
Give them hell, sir!

MAN 2:
Yeah, give them hell, men!

PASTOR: "The Lord is my light.
My salvation. Whom shall l fear?

The Lord is the strength in my life.
Of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked, even mine
enemies and my foes...

...came upon me to eat up my flesh,
they stumbled and fell.

Though unhost should encamp against
me, my heart shall not fear.

Though war should rise up against me.

In this will I be comforted.”

REVEREND JENKINS:
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.

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
for 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.

HARMAN;
This train was on its way to Washington.

Its livestock's been requisitioned
by the Confederate government.

There's enough damn beef in here
to keep us fed for quite a while.

And as many steeds as would
damn well meet our current needs.

With your permission, sir, we've made
a selection of the more promising horses.

There's some damn fine ones here.

JACKSON:
Mr. Harman, I fear you are a wicked man.

-This animal looks it for the duty.
-Then he's yours, sir.

That small horse over there,
has he been assigned?

Well, it's a well-rounded sorrel, sir,
but too small for you.

You'll have your feet
dragging in the dust.

I was thinking of my wife, Anna.

He would make a time present for her.

HARMAN: Well, that it would, sir.
Shall I arrange for the purchase?

Leave the bill of the sale
at my headquarters.

I will buy them both.

The Confederate Treasury is honored, sir.

And may you both sit well in the saddle.

What shall I call you?

-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.

ALL:
Break! Guard! Charge!

As if you could ever get close enough
to stick a man with this,

You can give me your bayonet
if you have no further use for it.

What you gonna do with two of them?

You never heard of spare parts?

Pogue, your only hope is that some Yank
puts you out of your misery.

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.

WHITE:
Yes, sir.

Sir.

Harman has a detachment ready to take
your sorrel to Mrs. Jackson in Lexington.

The horse you chose
is waiting at headquarters.

I've decided to keep
this little sorrel for myself.

I prefer his gait
to that of the larger horse.

Unlike the other, he has an even temper.

He will need it where we are going.
Yes, I will keep it.

And Mrs. Jackson?
What should we send her, sir?

Instruct Harman
to make another selection.

My complete admiration in his choice
of livestock, if not in his choice of words.

The man's vocabulary
is extremely repulsive.

Yes, sir.

-Will that be all, sir?
-Language is blasphemous...

...but he is a good quartermaster,
a good quartermaster. You understand me?

-Yes, sir.
-That's all.

Hyah!

SOLDIER 1:
Blue, gray, green, even red uniforms.

How are we to know who the enemy is?

SOLDIER 2: You dang fool, you just shoot
at the man that's shooting at you!

I thought we was gonna be trained.

I could have 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 End 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.

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. "

[cl-[CHATTERING]]

The ratitication vote for secession is in.

Reporting from all the counties
of Virginia, the vote is 4-to-1 in favor.

[CROWD CHEERING]

And I'm proud to report that the vote
in the Shenandoah Valley...

,..is 3130 in favor, 10 against!

[CROWD CHEERING]

In my own Rockbridge County, only one
person voted against leaving the Union.

MAN:
Probably the village idiot!

[ALL LAUGHING]

SOLDIER 1:
Order!

-Parade, rest!
-Parade,

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 state...

,..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.

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...

...and the general hopes his soldiers
will step out and keep closed ranks.

Well, this march is a forced march
to save our country.

[CROWD CHEERING]

You must get some rest, sir.

I'll rest easier when Pendleton and
the artillery make it up this mountain.

They'll make better time tomorrow, sir.
it'll all be downhill.

You'll trust me to wait for the guns, sir?

Dr. McGuire.

You're an excellent practitioner,
and I believe I will take your prescription.

[GRUNTS]

SOLDIER 1: No fires, no tents.
Just like I always dreamed it'd be.

You suppose the Virginia legislature was
gonna buy you your own personal tent?

That's fine for now.

You'll be humming a different tune when
it's raining, you're all covered in frost...

,..or you need me to dig you
out of a snowdrift.

So damn dark the bats
run into each other.

Old Hickory's just getting us
tit for the fighting.

Old Hickory, Old Jack, Old Blue Light.

How many names you got
for the old man, anyway?

Them VMI boys come up
with the choice one,

They calls him "Tom Fool" when
he's looking the other way.

I'll be a fool if I listened
to you all livelong night.

SOLDIER 2: Old Tom Fool. That name
ought to stick to him like a tick on a mule.

That's it! Step lively! Two at a time!

As quick as you can.
No dilly, no dally.

One foot forward, then the other.
Nothing pretty, nothing fancy.

Into the train. Do it lovely,
do it ugly, all the same to me.

-Colonel Jackson.
-Colonel Trimble.

-I understand you're a train man.
-Baltimore and Ohio.

Spent most of my life building lines,
and the past six months tearing them up.

No use in leaving them in fine
fettle with a meddling Yankee.

If you'll excuse me, sir.

Got to move these men where they'll
do the most damage to the enemy.

Excuse me, ladies.

Now that's the finest dressed man
in the whole Confederate Army.

TRIMBLE:
In you go! Up and over!

Through the brush and in the clover.

Crowd on in. Move it over.

[GUNFIRE NEARBY]

[SOLDIER SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

PENDLETON:
That's General Bee's brigade!

Inform General Bee the
1st Virginians are on the Held.

Ask him, can he hold long enough
for me to deploy my men?

Yes, sir! I'll ask him!

They may not hold, gentlemen.
We must assume they cannot.

-Mr. Smith.
-Sir?

Instruct lmboden and Stanard to position
their batteries in the center of the crest.

I want the 4th and the 27th
regiments stationed as support.

I want the 5th Regiment
posted to their right...

,..the 2nd and 33rd to the left.
Understood?

-Yes, sir.
-Mm-hm.

[SOLDIERS SHOUTING]

Counter battery ire!

Eight hundred yards!

-Shell! Five-second fuse!
-Fire!

Counter battery tire. Eight hundred yards.

Shell, five inch. Five-second fuse.

-Fire one!
-Two!

-Three!
-Five, fire!

Get primed!

Fire!

[SOLDIERS SCREAMING]

General! Our line on Matthews Hill
has broken. They are beating us back.

Then we must give them the bayonet!

1st Brigade, move up to a position just
below the crest of the hill. And stay low!

-Sir.
-Hyah!

Rally, men! Rally!

Look!

There is Jackson, standing like a stone wall.

Let us determine to die here today
and we will conquer.

Rally behind the Virginians!

[SOLDIERS CHEERING]

Fix bayonets.

-Fix bayonets!
-Fix!

SOLDIER:
Fire!

Fill in there--!

Instruct the men to lay down!
Hug the ground!

-Lie down, men!
-Privates! First rank, lie down!

Second rank, kneel!

They are coming, boys.

Wait till they get close before you shoot.

Hold your lines!

[screaming]

Halt!

Hold your fire!

Ready!

Aim!

Fire!

Fire!

[[SHOUTS]-[SHOUTS]]

Fire! Reload!

SOLDIER 1: Rise up!
SOLDIER 2: Quickly, boys!

Rise up!

Quickly, men! Quickly!

Ready!

Aim!

Fire!

Fire!

Fire!

Reload! Reload, men!

Come on, boys!
Quick and we can whip them!

-Easy, men. We have no orders to advance!
-Get back in the ranks!

Steady, men. Steady!

Damn it.

Charge!

It's Cummings' boys.

-What are they doing?
-Easy, Mr. Pendleton. Easy.

Good to have your dander up,
but discipline wins the day.

SOLDIER: About-face! About-face, men!
Aim! Fire!

For God's sakes, forward!

General, sir, the day is going against us.

If you think so, sir, you had better
not say anything about it.

Rise up, rise up!

Rise up, Virginia!

Stand up, you men! Stand up, you free men!
We're gonna charge them.

We're gonna drive them to Washington!
Stand up, Virginia!

1st Brigade...

,..reserve your tire...

...till they come within 50 yards...

,..then fire!

And give them the bayonet!

And when you charge...

,..yell like Furies!

-Ready! Aim!
-Aim!

-Fire!
-Fire!

Charge bayonets!

[ALL SHOUTING]

Charge!

Press on! Press on!

SOLDIER:
I surrender! I surrender!

[SOLDIER PLAYING BUGLE]

[THUNDER CRASHING]

SMITH:
General?

How is it you can keep so serene...

,..and slay so utterly insensible...

...with a storm of shells and bullets
raining about your head?

Captain Smith...

...my religious belief teaches me
to feel as safe in battle as in bed.

God has fixed the time for my death,
I do not concern myself with that...

...but to be always ready,
whenever it may overtake me.

That is the way all men should live.

Then all men would be equally brave.

Preliminary reports for the brigade, sir.
One hundred and eleven dead.

Three hundred seventy-three
wounded or missing.

And if I may ask, sir, how's your hand?

Just a spent bullet. No more than
a scratch really, Mr. Pendleton.

I'm more than pleased with the part
performed by the brigade during the action.

Through the blessing of God...

...they met the thus far victorious enemy
and turned the fortunes of the day.

Good evening, gentlemen.

Tomorrow's a new day.

-Evening, general.
-Evening, sir.

JACKSON:
Oh, Mr. Pendleton?

Thank you for the report.

I will never forget these men.

Which is it tonight, John?
Hamlet? Richard Ill? Or the Scottish play?

The schedule's posted.

I'm relieved to see
you've prepared for your role.

I admit, my concentration has been impaired
by the distractions of this war.

Mm.
Then think "winter of our discontent."

And what a glorious summer it will be,..

...when the South is free
of these meddling Yankees.

Sometimes when I'm up on that stage...

...brandishing the prop sword
or threatening with the mock word...

...I wonder if it's more farce
than tragedy.

More posturing than art.

Harrison.

As we recite and declaim,
others march and die.

Down in Mississippi...

...when all the other boys went
hunting or fishing, I was reading books...

,..learning Shakespeare sonnets by heart.

My daddy said art
was the hardest thing.

That everything else seems
more important at the time...

,..but that we needed it more than air.

More than food, even.

So now it's politics instead of hunting.

Same old thing.

Gotta stay concentrated
on what really matters.

Shakespeare matters.

Acting matters.

Gentlemen, new orders
from the War Department.

The Confederate Army's been reorganized
into three districts.

That of the Potomac will remain
under General Beauregard.

The Aquia under General Holmes.

Um, I've been promoted
to major general...

...commanding all forces in and around
the Shenandoah Valley.

The entire army together will now be known
as the Army of Northern Virginia.

Although I am being transferred
to Winchester...

,..the brigade must remain here
at Centreville.

Begging your pardon, sir...

...but the men would prefer
remaining under your command.

That's right, sir.

Couldn't the entire brigade be transferred
with you to the Valley?

Gentlemen, such a degree
of public respect, confidence...

...as puts it in one's power to serve
his country must be accepted and prized.

But apart from that...

...promotion among men is only
a temptation and a trouble.

Had this not come to me as an order,
I should instantly have declined it...

...continued in command
of my brave old brigade.

Sir, may we hope...

...that a formal entreaty
to the authorities in Richmond...

...may effect a transfer
of the entire brigade to the Valley?

Hear, hear.

I'll not stop you
from making such a request.

But for now, we must prepare ourselves.

We shall all have our labors to perform...

...but with the help
of an ever-kindly heavenly father...

...I trust he will enable us
to accomplish them.

SOLDIER:
Forward!

Rest!

Throughout the broad extent
of the country...

,..through which you have marched...

...by your respect for the rights
and property of others...

...you have always shown you are soldiers,
not only to defend...

...but able and willing
both to defend and protect.

You've already won...

...a brilliant reputation throughout the Army
of the whole Confederacy.

And I trust in the future
by your deeds in the field...

...and by the assistance of the same kind
providence who has favored our cause...

...you will win more victories and add
luster to the reputation you now enjoy.

You already gained a proud position...

...in the future history of this...

...our second war of independence.

I shall look with anxiety
to your future movements...

...and I trust whenever I shall hear
of the 1st Brigade...

,..on the Held of battle...

...it will be of still nobler deeds achieved
and higher reputation won.

In the Army of the Shenandoah,
you were the 1st Brigade.

In the Army of the Potomac,
you were the 1st Brigade.

In the 2nd Corps of this Army,
you are the 1st Brigade.

You are the 1st Brigade
in the affections of your general.

And I hope by your future deeds and bearing
you will be handed down to posterity...

,..as the 1st Brigade...

...in this, our second war of independence.

Farewell!

[ALL CHEERING]

SOLDIERS [CHANTING]:
Jackson! Jackson! Jackson! Jackson!

Jackson! Jackson! Jackson!

CHAMBERLAIN: The universe itself
is subject to rules, to law.

The super-abounding life lavished
on this world of ours...

,..is proof...

...that the play of infinite freedom...

,..is here Io help work out
the will of infinite law.

The nature of the universe demonstrates...

,..that freedom can only exist...

...as part of law.

STUDENT:
Pardon me, Professor Chamberlain...

,..but how does the study of philosophy
intersect with real life?

If freedom can only exist as a part of law...

...how can we continue to tolerate slavery
protected by law?

Lawrence, I know.

How?

I've noticed the way you've been looking
into the children's room each night.

Blue.

Why blue uniforms? It should be red.

-Like the English, the color of blood.
-Are you angry with me?

Lawrence, my darling Lawrence.

Do you remember when you were
thinking of being a missionary?

And you wrote me saying
that you wished your little wife...

...was willing for you to take
whatever course you thought best...

,..and was ready to help you
in it with all her heart?

"Little wife."
How could I ever have called you that?

Your spirit is vaster than oceans.

Then you wrote back.

And I have never forgotten
what you said.

You said, "Well, dear, she is willing...

,..and she feels that you know better
about the matter than she does."

But now".

,..l never think I know better than you.

I couldn't bear for you to feel that you
must forever remain at a stand."

,..just because you're married.

I always want to help you on
in your excelsior striving.

But I had a dream about you, Lawrence.
Last night.

While you were away,
offering your services to the governor.

I saw you in my dream.
There were boys in blue marching past.

Some of the boys that we know.

And there you were...

...riding ahead of them
on a great, white horse.

Fanny, my love, I felt I had to go.

I offered the governor my services,
wherever he wanted to place me.

I thought he'd probably order me
to an officer.

-Speeches, administration.
-Oh.

Lawrence...

...I know you,
When you do a thing, you do it é Ibutrance.

-So? He gave you a commission, didn't he?
-They need sewing officers.

Five new regiments are being formed now.

Maine has already sent 15.
How could I refuse?

Poor Lawrence, damn you,
you'll be good at it too.

You'll be good at soldiering just like
you're good at everything else. So go.

Go do your duty to your country's flag...

...go on and get your medals for bravery,
go and get yourself killed.

That poem of Lovelace.

That beautiful, horrible, damnable,
lovely, sad poem.

I think that you recited it in my dream.

Lovelace. "Off to the English Civil War"?

I would not dare presume
to quote it now.

Tell me not, sweet, lam unkind

That from the nunnery
Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind

To warlike arms I fly.

True, a new mistress now I serve

The Hrs! foe in the field

And with a sterner faith embrace
The sword, a horse, a shield,

Yet this inconstancy is such

As thou too shalt adore.

I could not love thee, dear, so much

Loved I not honor more.

You will be wounded.

You will be changed by the horrors of it.

But you will come home.

I believe that, my love.
You will come home.

[CLEARS THROAT]

Come in.

You must be Mr. Lewis.

Ha, ha.
There's some that calls me Uncle Jim.

Some calls me Big Jim.
Some folks just calls me Jim.

I don't suppose you've heard
any of the names I get called?

I heard Stonewall once.

That name properly belongs
to the 1st Virginia Brigade, not to me.

-They were the ones who earned it.
-Some folks says otherwise.

Folks say men can't Tight without
nobody up front to lead them on.

-I'm told you're a first-rate cook.
-Ha, ha. Yes, sir.

They wasn't lying, told you that.
Whatever you likes to eat, I can cook it.

Pan-fry, griddle, boil, bake. Roasted.

And I understand you're from Lexington.
You come highly recommended to me, Jim.

Lexington is my home, general.
Same as yours,

If I could do my share
in defending my home...

,..I'd be doing the same as you.

I heard it was Napoleon himself said:

"An army can't march
but on its stomach."

Well.,..

If you love your country...

...fear the Lord...

...and have no trouble getting up at
4:00 in the morning, the job is yours.

Yous got yourself a deal, general.

Sir.

My darling esposita.

Welcome to Winchester.

Thomas, Oh.

-Come in out of the cold.
-Why, thank you.

-I have been thinking, Thomas...
-Mm.

,..that it may have been a blessing...

...that the Battle of Manassas
was fought on my birthday.

Why is that?

In our old age, you will never forget it.

I will forget my own
before I ever forget yours.

[WHISPERING]
Oh, Anna.

Anna.

[WHISPERING]
What is it, Tom?

What?

Everything in this life seems so fragile.

So temporary.

[IN NORMAL VOICE]
When we are separated, I fear...

,..l will never see you again.

I fear we may never have a child.

I fear I may lose you
if we dare to have a child.

I know I should trust in the Lord...

...but then I see the face
of my dear mama...

...of my first wife, dead and cold.

With our dead darling.

Dead before he could draw
his first breath in this world.

And I am afraid.

And I am afraid to feel happiness.

Afraid to hope for it again.

I am afraid of God's judgment.

[IN NORMAL VOICE]
We serve a loving God, Thomas.

We are in each ether's arms.

We are together,
and we are happy together.

And is our love not proof of his?

We must not fear, Thomas.

We will survive this war.

And we will have a child.

So help us, God.

[MARCHING BAND PLAYING
UPBEAT MUSIC]

-Major Gilmore, stop that damn drumming!
-Quiet!

-Stop that damn drumming!
-Quiet!

This is a hell of a regiment.

Men of the 20th Maine Regiment
of Volunteers...

,..this is your commanding officer,
Colonel Adelbert Ames.

[CROWD CHEERING]

Quiet! Quiet!

You do not cheer an officer.

You salute him.

20th Maine, I commend you
for the enthusiasm...

...that has made you volunteer
for service in Lincoln's Army.

I can see that many of you
are strong and tit.

We Maine men know that
life in the woods of Maine...

.toughens the muscles
and stretches the sinews.

I've no doubt many of you
have become good shots by hunting deer.

But tough muscles and skillful shooting
are not enough to make a soldier.

That requires discipline.

Major Gilmore tells me you are in the habit
of holding discussions with your officers.

That will cease from now.

An of Hoer's orders are to be obeyed
instantly and without question.

This regiment must learn
to move as one man.

Otherwise we will all be killed.

-See if you can teach them to march.
-Yes, sir.

Colonel Chamberlain.

Come with me.

When I say, "20th Maine, attention"...

,..you bring your feet together.

Governor Washburn
and Adjutant General Hodgson...

...have sent me
an impressive report about you.

They say you will master
any assignment you're given.

I shall certainly try, sir.

I, uh, understand you were in
the Battle of Bull Run.

Wounded too. It taught me the need
for discipline and proper procedure,

Take the act of shooting, for example.

When you're hunting in the Maine woods
there's no difficulty in loading a rifle.

But in the panic of war,
men act foolishly.

In Bull Run I saw a soldier forget
to remove his ramrod from the barrel.

When he tired,
out it flew with a dismal twang.

He lost the means of firing again
and was killed soon after by a Rebel bullet.

Sergeant Tom Chamberlain
reporting for duty, sir.

Tom, what on earth--?
What are you doing?

I signed up, Lawrence, I'm in this regiment.
I'm coming with you.

Did Father approve?
How will he run the farm?

Once he heard you were colonel,
he couldn't say no.

Besides, you know him,
he'll be all right. They both will.

I'm giving them one less thing to cuss at.

Mama said so many prayers for the both
of us, we got nothing to worry about.

Well, I guess I have one more responsibility.
I have to look after you.

Me?

Lawrence, Mama told me
to watch after you.

Just remember, lads, even a tin cup
is a great weight after 20 mile.

Your precarious pegs won't last
if you turn yourselves into pack mules.

And only one leg to a pant, if you please.

You'll soon be at the worn end of it...

...where your formal attire will be
your shirt collar and boots.

In the U.S. Army we have
the School of the Soldier...

...in which the soldier is trained
and by numbers drilled.

Loading a musket
is done in nine movements...

...performed over and over
until they become automatic...

,..or, as we call it, loading in nine times.

Aah! I see. Sergeant Chamberlain.

Loading in nine times. Demonstrate this.

Assume the musket has just been tired.

One, reach into cartridge box
and withdraw cartridge.

Two, place cartridge between teeth.

Three, tear paper open.

Four, pour powder into barrel
and charge cartridge.

Five, withdraw the ramrod.
Six, ram the ball home.

Seven, return ramrod.

Eight, half-cock the hammer...

,..remove old cap...

,..and put a new cap on the cone.

Nine, shoulder arms.

All right, you have the idea.

But this must be done without thinking
and much, much faster.

Here.

One, two, three, four...

,.....five......

,..six...

,..seven...

weight...

,..nine.

Practice until you can do it
as fast as that.

It may save your lives. Colonel.

Line of battle consists of two lines of men,
one behind the other...

,..so that while one line tires,
the other reloads,

Behind them is a line of, uh, tile closers.
Lieutenants and sergeants.

But two lines make a regiment
unwieldy on the move...

,..so we need to switch to column of fours.

We need to be able to change from
column of fours to line of battle...

,..and back again quickly.

It is not difffcuft to move from fine of battle
into column of fours.

It is harder to move from
column of fours into line of battle...

...and if we're caff ed to make that move,
it will!! be when we're under Ere.

You understand how important it is that
these moves are learned so thoroughly...

...that the men can perform them
in their sleep.

Company...

,..halt!

Company, front!

Order arms!

Well done, colonel. That's a beginning.

But that move must be practiced
and practiced and practiced.

Another month and we'll be ready.

But we leave for Washington tomorrow.

Shoulder arms!

Company, forward march!

[SOLDIER PLAYING DRUM]

Gentlemen, it's only September.
Too soon for winter camp.