Authenticating Glory

The objectivity of comparing and authenticating screenwriter Kevin Jarre, et al. and film director Edward Zwick’s 1989 big-screen Hollywood production of Glory verses known documented historical facts of twenty-six year old Colonel (Col..) Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment and their military contributions made during the American Civil War are of great importance as both the film and historical documents give overwhelming evidence that African Americans from the North and South contributed to the American Civil War. Though the Hollywood production itself possesses many areas of questionability that can be mildly authenticated; the film also possesses many areas that are totally fictionalized within a broad prospective of historically depicting the African American Military Experience during the American Civil War.
“The 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment was one of the most celebrated regiments that fought in the [American] Civil War. Known simply as the ‘54th,’ [the] regiment became famous after the heroic but ill-fated [and deadly] assault on Fort Wagner, South Carolina [on July 18, 1863. In] leading the direct assault under heavy fire, the 54th suffered enormous casualties, [including the death of Col. Shaw], before being forced to withdraw. The courage and [deadly] sacrifice of the 54th helped to dispel [any and all] doubt within the Union Army [regarding] the fighting ability of [African American] soldiers and earned [the 54th] undying [valor and] glory. [And in doing so, it secured them a place within the minds of history scholars and non-historians alike for all time].”[1]
      Glory attempts to tell the story of the 54th Regiment, the first military unit solely comprised of free and/or educated African Americans and their White commander, Col. Shaw, who fought in the American Civil War for the abolishment of slavery and the equal treatment of all Americans regardless of color. The film tells the story with compelling... [continues]

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