Original subtitles

General Lee, sir.

General Jackson sends his respects. . .

. ..and advises his corps will deploy to the south of this position. . .

. ..by tomorrow, as you instructed.

Well, what are his men made of?

He's 1 50 miles away.

To General Jackson, dawn begins the minute after midnight.

General Hood, l've often wondered how it is that.. .

. ..Texas men, the most independent-minded in this Army of irascibles. . .

. ..have agreed to serve under a Kentuckian.

l have often wondered the same.

General Gregg, have you settled your differences with General Jackson?

No, General Hill, l have not.

Have you?

No, sir.

Tell me, general...

. ..do you expect to live until the end of this war?

Oh. l do not know. . .

. ..but l'm inclined to think l will.

l expect l will be wounded.

And you, general?

l do not expect to live to see the end of this war.

Nor can l say that without victory l would desire to do so.

-Get up. -Get up.

Sir?

Yes, Mr. Pendleton, you may enter.

Forgive me, general. There's a letter for you.

Courier was running a little slow today, but l thought you'd want to see it.

Yes, thank you.

Good night, sir.

My own dear father:

As my mother's letter has been cut short by my arrival...

...l think it but justice that I should continue it.

l know that you are rejoiced to hear of my coming.

And l hope that God has sent me to radiate your pathway through life.

l am a very tiny little thing.

l weigh only eight and a half pounds...

...and Aunt Harriet says l am the express image of my darling papa.

My mother is very comfortable this morning.

Your loving daughter.

Thank you, Lord.

Thank you.

Thank you, thank you.

They've occupied all the buildings along the riverfront.

We will be lining up those pontoon bridges through a hail of lead.

Once across, the Rebs are sure to make us pay for every block.

Beyond the town is the canal which cuts across this open field.. .

. ..a field we'll have to cross to reach their entrenchments on Marye's Heights. ..

. ..another difficult obstacle in the face of artillery fire.

Down to our left we could burst through.. .

. ..turn Jackson's lines, push him back, trap Longstreet on top of the hill.. .

. ..surround him.

lt's possible.

Turn Jackson's lines?

No, general, we'll meet them head on.

And it will be a bloody mess.

We'll march up to that hill there. ..

. ..and we'll eat their artillery fire all the way across this field.

We'll be able to look at ourselves and say:

"We're good soldiers. We did what we were told."

lf we're not successful, we can say it was a good plan, but there were contingencies.

You can go back to your hometown...

. ..and tell the families of your men they died doing their duty.

The Rebs have fortified the high ground up the river.

And anyway, there are strong currents and obstacles to a crossing there.

Below Fredericksburg, the river is too wide.

And our earliest forces are clear down to Port Royal.

Fredericksburg is now the only place we can cross.

lf Burnside doesn't cross here, he might as well resign.

That wily gray fox has outmaneuvered our command again.

And there's going to be hell to pay.

Hurry up! Let's go!

Pick your targets, boys!

Commence firing!

Them Yankees is coming, sure as Jesus. They got two pontoons across that river.

We got to get you and them children out of here.

Stop fussing with me. Get your family ready. We'll leave together.

Miss Jane, us done talked this over, and we decided to stay here.. .

. ..and look after the house. No use saying no more.

Martha, l won't leave you to the mercy of those blue devils.

Miss Jane, you know they ain't gonna be bothering us colored folks.

lf we go with you, there won't be any food left in the pantry when we come back.

And we need to eat, same as you.

-Pastor Lacy, we must run to our lines. LACY: There's no time.

The streets are raining iron. To the basement.

Anybody hurt?

Sam?

Easy.

Sam!

Can you get up? Easy! Easy!

Fall back, Mississippi!

Fall back!

Mother? Are you here?

Oh, praise be! lt's Master John!

-We're down here in the cellar! JOHN: The door is blocked!

l'll go around to the side!

Children, y'all stay right here. Mama'll be back.

Come out! There's an ambulance out front.

The enemy is crossing the river. Hurry!

-No! Martha, l won't leave without you. -l done told you, l'm staying.

Off with you then.

Come on, Martha.

Stay in the basement!

Hyah.

Get the bayonets!

May God be with them.

May he strengthen their hearts and their arms for the coming struggle.

Give them the victory.

Can l be of service to you fine Northern gentlemen?

ls this your master's place?

This is my place.

Children!

Sorry to have to bother you, ma'am.

Come on, let's go.

Go back inside. Hurry up.

Put a stop to this at once! Where are the officers?

Drop that, soldier. Now!

Get a message to Couch, to Hancock.

This will not be tolerated! This is an army, not a rabble!

Well, General Jackson, you are a most gallant sight this morning.

Thank you, General Stuart, your gift is much appreciated.

General Longstreet, show us where your troops are positioned.

Yes, sir. We're anchored on the north by Anderson's division...

. ..up on the bend in the river and Ransom's division...

. ..along and below the ridge of Marye's Heights...

. ..with Cobb's brigade dug in down on the road behind that stone wall.

Now, to their right, is General McLaws...

. ..and further down in the woods and to the right, Pickett and Hood.

General Hood is my right flank.

He's connected in those heavy trees over there with General Jackson's left.

Up here on the Heights, we have the Washington artillery. ..

. ..Colonel Alexander's batteries and support.

lt's a strong line, general.

Very well.

General Jackson, would you please extend the line for us?

Um, General A.P. Hill is on the left, adjoining General Hood.

Position is supported by General Taliaferro and General Early.

Now to the right flank and behind is D.H. Hill.

We've built a road behind our lines running the entire length.

We can move troops as is necessary.

lf the enemy penetrates our lines at any point...

. ..the reserves, Taliaferro and Early, can move rapidly to a new position.

lf the enemy attempts to cut our center. ..

. ..or if General Pickett is pressed, we can change positions, sir.

Good, very good.

General Stuart, are you in a strong position for protecting. . .

. ..General Jackson's flank?

Oh, yes, sir.

We're covering the enemy from the river, as far out as our own lines.

lf the Yankees move down river or threaten to turn General Jackson's line. ..

. ..we can block their advance until the line is moved.

Very well. Gentlemen, these deployments are sound.

The rest is in God's hands.

Amen.

ln the Roman civil war...

...Julius Caesar knew he had to march on Rome itself...

...which no legion was permitted to do.

Marcus Lucanus left us a chronicle of what happened.

How swiftly Caesar had surmounted the icy Alps...

...and in his mind conceived immense upheavals, coming war.

When he reached the little Rubicon, clearly through the murky night...

...appeared a mighty image of his country in distress...

. ..grief in her face. ..

. ..her white hair streaming from her tower-crowned head.

With tresses torn and shoulders bare, she stood before him and sighing, said:

"Where further do you march? Where do you take my standards, warriors?

lf lawfully you come, if as citizens, this far only is allowed."

Trembling struck his limbs.

And weakness checked his progress, holding his feet at the river's edge.

At last he speaks.

Oh, thunderer. . .

. ..surveying great Rome's walls from the Tarpeian rock.

Oh, Phrygian, house gods of lulus. . .

. ..clan and mysteries of Quirinus who was carried off to heaven.

Oh, Jupiter of Latium, seated in lofty Alba and hearths of Vesta.

Oh, Rome, equal to the highest deity, favor my plans.

Not with impious weapons do l pursue you.

Here am l, Caesar...

...conqueror of land and sea, your own soldier everywhere...

...now too if l am permitted.

The man who makes me your enemy, it is he will be the guilty one.

He broke the barriers of war and through the swollen river...

...swiftly took his standards.

When Caesar crossed the flood and reached the opposite bank...

...from Hesperia's forbidden fields, he took his stand and said:

"Here, l abandoned peace and desecrated law.

Fortune, it is you l follow.

Farewell to treaties. From now on, war is our judge."

Hail Caesar.

We who are about to die salute you.

General Zook! Move your brigade forward!

Double quick, forward march!

Steady, boys, steady. You'll soon be forward.

ls that to be General Meagher's position?

He's enjoying the privilege of an officer. Protecting the rear.

He's got a lame knee, for pity's sake.

Fair enough. Someone's got to keep Burnside company.

Quiet in the ranks!

Shoulder arms!

Colonel.

20th Maine to the front.

Battalion! Shoulder arms!

Shoulder arms!

Left face!

High-file right...

. ..march!

Come on, boys! Show them the cold steel! lrish brigade, move out!

lrish brigade, at the double-quick. ..

. ..forward march!

Front and center!

Double column, boys! Form up!

Forward!

Keep moving!

That's the lrish. What are those boys doing fighting in blue?

Don't they know we're fighting for our independence?

Did they learn nothing at the hands of the English?

They're Reb lrishmen. They're our brothers.

They've been misled to their fates.

Do your duty!

Steady, men! Steady!

Men, do your duty!

Battalion, halt!

Ready!

Aim!

Fire!

Load them up, boys, load them up!

Keep loading, boys!

Ready!

Aim!

Fire!

Load! Load! Load!

Ready!

Aim!

Fire!

Fall back! Fall back, men!

Now move! Move!

Fall back! Now!

Go to hell! Go to hell and damnation!

Move, boys!

Lie down here!

Lie down and load!

Load!

Load and fire!

Quickly!

Blaze away, lads! Do it, boys!

Fire, boys.

Fire!

Keep firing, men! Keep firing!

Fall back!

Fall back, lads!

Every man for himself!

Fall back, men!

-Caldwell's brigade, forward! Now! -Yes, sir!

At the double-quick! March!

-General Armistead. -Afternoon, General Pickett.

-See that last charge by Meagher's brigade? -Those fellas deserved a better fate.

Their bravery is worthy of a better cause.

My heart stood still as l watched it.

l would not have believed that mortal men. . .

. ..could march into the face of such destruction.

General Longstreet...

. ..those people committing more fresh divisions at your lines.. .

. ..their mounting numbers may overwhelm our defense.

Sir, if they put every man they have on the field to approach me. . .

. ..give me plenty of ammunition, l'll kill them all before they reach my line.

Nevertheless, we must be prudent, general.

We must never ignore the unknown or the unpredictable.

Yes, sir. l'll take the necessary measures. Orders!

Send orders to Ransom's Tar Heels to advance his division...

. ..and to Kershaw to bring up his brigade to support Cobb at the wall.

Yes, sir! Hyah, hyah!

Forward, men!

General Griffin, sir.

There goes my first brigade to hell.

All right, get them ready.

20th Maine, fix bayonets!

Officers of the 3rd Brigade will dismount.

Shoulder arms!

All right, men, move them out!

Forward march!

Load! Five-second fuse!

She burst! The barrel burst!

Stretcher! -General Lee, you all right, sir?

-Sergeant! Call for the surgeon! Quickly! -Here l go. Help me up, boys.

lt's not yet our time, gentlemen.

Not yet our time.

General Kemper. General Kemper.

You are ordered by General Longstreet to proceed to your left in support of McLaws.

Take two regiments of your brigade into the sunken road behind the stone wall.

Yes, sir. At once.

Do your duty, general.

My horse. We go to where the fight is.

Commanding general has called us into battle.

We move at once.

lf we can whip the enemy here today. ..

. .. l tell you, from what l know. . .

. ..the Confederacy is surely established.

Men of Virginia. . .

. ..you who have fought on so many hard-won fields. . .

. ..today your country calls upon you one more time. . .

. ..to stand between her and the enemy.

And l know that you will do your duty!

Brigade, halt! Form by battalion!

Pass them forward. Just load and pass them forward!

Fire!

20th Maine. . .

. ..halt!

lt is not difficult to move from line of battle into column of fours.

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

...and if we're called to make that move, it will be when we are under fire.

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

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

Seems a terrible long distance up that hill.

lt'll be shortened by those in the front.

Begging your pardon, sir.

The only thing that'll be shortened by those in front is their lives.

God help us now.

-Colonel, take care of the right wing. -Yes, sir. l'll watch them, sir.

Hail Caesar.

We who are about to die salute you.

20th Maine!

-Forward! -Forward!

-March! -March!

By the right of companies, to the front! March!

Right of companies to the front! March!

Form a line, boys! Form a line!

Form up a line! Form up a line!

Dress to the colors!

Come on, boys!

Dress to the colors!

Come on, boys.

Dress to the colors!

Keep your line, men. Keep your line. Close that gap!

Dress to the colors!

At the double-quick, men!

Double-quick, boys! Come on, boys!

Keep it tight, boys! Keep it tight!

Turn right, boys! Right!

Turn to the right!

Keep it tight, men! Keep it tight, men!

Come on, boys!

At the double-quick, boys! Come on, boys!

Forward, men. Keep moving!

Battalion, halt!

-Battalion, halt! -Battalion, halt!

Watch your line!

Dress to the colors!

Ready! Fire!

Reload, boys! Reload quickly!

Hold your line! Hold your line!

Two, three, four...

-. . .five, six, seven... Dress right! Dress right!

. ..eight.

-Steady! Steady! -Fire!

Load them! Let's go!

Keep firing! Keep firing!

Battalion, fight by fire!

Thattaway, boys, fire away!

Pour it into them!

Close the gap, boys! Pour it into them!

Fill this hole now!

All right, pour it into them, boys!

Steady now! Pour it into them! Dress that line down there!

-Sir? -What is it?!

Request permission to return to the rear, sir.

Permission granted. Permission granted.

All right, then, boys. Pour it.

No, no, Patrick, me boy. Just reload and shoot.

Pour it into them, boys! Pour it in to them!

Fill that line in!

Fill this hole now!

Dress to the right!

Fire!

Pour it into them, boys! Pour it into them!

Fire!

-Fall back, men! -Fall back! Fall back!

Fall back, boys!

-What did you do that for? -You'll thank me in the morning.

Oh, Mother. Oh, Mother, help me. . . .

lt's all right, Casey, l got you. Don't worry about a thing. l'll get you home.

Quickly, men. Reload quickly!

lt is well that war is so terrible...

. ..for we should grow too fond of it.

Yes, sir?

We're requisitioning your house for use as a hospital.

Come on inside out the cold.

You there.

You wounded?

Truly sorry, old fella--

Damn.

-General Hancock, sir. -Surgeon.

This man is Major Sidney Willard of the 35th Massachusetts.

This way, sir.

Prepare to lift. Lift.

He's been shot twice in the chest, general. There's nothing l can do.

-ls there whiskey in this house? -Yes, sir.

Drink this, sir.

l love them people you done chased from this house.

l's known them most all my life.

The Beales is good people.

Mr. General?

l was born a slave.

And l wants to die free.

Lord knows l wants to die free, and l wants my children to be free.

Heaven help me.

May God bless you all.

Damn it, Tom, you scared me half to death.

You? Lawrence, l thought you was with the beyond.

Mother?

l was able to secure the aid of a good spyglass. . .

. ..and could ascertain beyond all doubt that our house is still standing.

Oh.

Oh, l pray to God for Martha and her dear ones.

But, Mother...

. ..it is a pitiful sight on the fields below Marye's Heights.

l should feel rancor in my heart for those invaders...

. ..but all l feel for them is sorrow.

Dear Lucy. . .

. ..when you were but a child in petticoats...

. .. l believe the year was 1 847. . .

. ..there was a great famine in lreland.

Those fields below the Heights were covered...

. ..with the finest crop of corn ever raised in this section.

The greater part of it was sent as a donation to the starving lrish.

l cannot help thinking...

. ..but that it helped to feed the poor victims of the lrish brigade...

. ..who fell on this very field today.

General Gregg.

General Jackson.

l wish to apologize...

. ..for the differences we had.

The doctor tells me you have not long to live.

l ask you to dismiss this matter from your mind. . .

. ..and turn your thoughts to God.. .

. ..and the world to which you go.

General. ..

. ..you know that l'm not a believer.

Well, then l will believe for the both of us.

How horrible is war.

Horrible, yes.. .

. ..but we have been invaded.

Lord, what can we do?

Kill them, sir.

Kill every last man of them.

Gentlemen.

Oh, what l wouldn't give for a cup of Rio just now.

20th Maine! Return fire!

-Return fire! -Return fire!

Oh.

Patrick.

l hope you don't mind.

l know you're in heaven, but you got work yet to do down here. ..

. ..in this poor pitiless world.

-Colonel Chamberlain. -Mm.

Your orders are to withdraw. Withdraw to the city.

Colonel.

We are ordered to form a picket line and cover the Army's retreat across the river.

Colonel Chamberlain, did you hear me?

Yes, sir. We are to retreat, sir.

Captain Spear.

-Form the regiment. We're moving out. -Yes, sir.

Morning, general.

General Jackson would like to report the enemy is no longer in front of his position.

Go on, Mr. Pendleton.

General, the enemy has withdrawn back across the river.

The pontoon bridges are gone, sir, cut loose from their banks.

Major, summon General Longstreet.

l wanna know what's down below us here and l do not wish to wait for the fog to lift.

Yes, sir.

Captain Pendleton, you may return to General Jackson.

Express my appreciation for his diligence.. .

. ..and remind him we do not wish to give the enemy. . .

. ..an opportunity by exposing our troops to those guns on Stafford Heights.

When the fog lifts, any advance will surely receive a concentration of his artillery fire.

Yes, sir.

And, captain, l'm told you received a wound to your thigh.

l trust it's not serious.

Thank you for asking, general.

lt's just a flesh wound.

Nothing serious at all.

Yankees.

Everywhere.

Where y'all been? Can't find my own house. Gone! Gone!

What y'all done with my house?

Where is it? Can y'all tell me that?

Well, can you? Can you?

20th Maine, halt!

You had a hard chance, colonel.

-l'm glad to see you out of there. -lt was chance, general.

Not much intelligent design there.

God knows it wasn't l that put you in there.

That was the trouble. You should have put us in, sir.

We were handed in piecemeal, on toasting forks.

Steal away

Steal away

Steal away to Jesus

Steal away

Steal away home

l ain't got long

To stay here

What you gonna do now that your master's dead?

Done already told you he my boss. . .

. ..not my master.

Well, one way or the other, he gone now.

Ain't much left for me here in Virginny.

My brother done run off with the Yankees. He in Chambersburg now.

Up north in Pennsylvania.

You planning on heading up that way?

Once l gets this body up to his kin in Winchester. . .

. .. l sees the way things is.

Well, it's good for you your boss got killed in the wintertime.

That's a long way to be carrying a man in a pine box.

White folks be killing one another for a while yet.

They're still plenty mad, and plenty of them.

But this here Rebel. . .

. ..give me my freedom papers.

He already with Jesus.

l'm just taking him home.

Amen.

"Men of the Army. ..

. ..although you were not successful in the recent battle. . .

. ..the attempt was not an error, nor the failure other than an accident.

No soldiers in the annals of war fought more bravely.

Condoling with the mourners for the dead. ..

. ..and sympathizing with the severely wounded.. .

. .. l congratulate the Army that the numbers of casualties. . .

-. . .have been comparatively so small." -Compared to what?

The Scots at Culloden? The English at Bunker Hill?

The French at Waterloo?

"--the thanks of the nation."

Signed: Abraham Lincoln.

Battalion!

Dismissed!

At this Christmas season, when the good fairies are in the air.. .

. ..we can hardly wonder at the sudden miracle. . .

. ..that has shown us the Fredericksburg affair in its true light.. .

. ..and given us occasion for national joy instead of national sorrow.

General Jackson?

Do you know what these decorations signify?

l was wondering if someone would tell me.

-This is Santa's sled. -l see.

And this is stuff made of candy.

This is a gingerbread snowflake.

And this is a paper chain of angels.

Did you make this angel?

lt's lovely.

-How old are you, Jane? -l'm 5 years old.

-How old are you? -l'm 38.

My father is 38. He's a soldier like you.

l haven't seen him for more than a year.

l've not met your father, but l'm told he's a very good man, very brave man.

l'm sure he misses you as much as l miss my daughter.

When did you last see your daughter?

l've never seen her.

She was born just days ago.

l want to see her more than anything in this world.

l want to see her as much as your father wants to see you.

You see that star at the top of the tree?

The star of Bethlehem.

The star that showed the wise men where they could find the baby Jesus.

Mother says that star will show Daddy how to find his way back home.

Well, your mother's very wise, very good person.

Your daddy will come home.

All the daddies will come home.

Oh, my.

Gentlemen, let us lift our glasses to our Southern women. . .

. ..without whose bravery and fortitude...

. ..without whose love, without whose endurance and sacrifice. ..

. ..not a man among us can stay the course.. .

. ..or defend the cause.

CROWD: Hear, hear.

Hear, hear.

Now it's time for a carol. Come up. Everybody must sing.

-Carols are my favorite. -l can't sing.

Of course you can sing, Mr. Jackson. You can breathe, can't you?

Just let your breath flow gently over your vocal chords and nature does the rest.

Silent night.

Holy night

Dearest Fanny

The bugle has just sounded, 3rd Brigade extinguish lights.

lt makes me happy to think of you and my dear little ones at home...

...all nestled together.

l know that it is all well and bright with her whose sweet face shines in my heart.

Come and let me kiss your dear lips, precious wife.

Let our hearts worship together God's loVe, and wisdom, and mercy.

Yes, all is well, well with us, darling...

...well if we can only meet at last, as l pray God we may.

Hey, Billy Yank.

-That's a mighty nice song. -l'm pleased you find it so agreeable.

l'd like it even more if l had some coffee to wash it down.

-Want some baccy? -Sure, Johnny.

Have you got a lame horse?

What do you be wanting to trade for a lame horse?

Would you take General Burnside?

No. l guess l'll keep the horsehide.

Come on, get your baccy.

Mr. Smith, are you aware that the Bible gives models of official battle reports?

-No, sir. -Nevertheless, there are such.

Consider the narrative of Joshua's battles with the Amalekites.

lt has clearness and modesty, brevity.

And it traces the victory to the right source, the blessing of God.

Has it helped you with your reports, sir?

Anybody home?

Afternoon, General Jackson.

What's this?

-New recruits. -Ha, ha.

My mama helped me make these.

Mm? That's fine.

-Left, right. Left, right. -Child, that hat is a bit too large for you.

However. . .

. ..there.

l believe that suits a young girl better than an old soldier.

Mama's baking some biscuits.

You know, l was thinking of walking over to the big house for a nice hot cup of tea.

And l would very much like the company of one beautiful little lady.

Yes, General Jackson, a hot cup of chamomile.

Uh, Mr. Smith, you may continue writing the reports.

Consult first and second Samuel.. .

. ..and first and second Kings.

They will be of help to you.

Shall we go?

Do you prefer butter biscuits or sugar cookies?

Oh, my. l know your mother's biscuits are first-rate.

Whoo!

Whoo!

Coward.

lt's a fine thing for you to call me a coward. ..

. ..when you spend all my salary on stockings.

Whoo!

The first lady must look good if her husband looks like a baboon.

You must be the missing "link-oln."

l begin to wonder who runs the White House.

And that's the long and the short of it.

And now, my gallant friends...

. ..my own dear beau will sing a verse of his original creation. ..

. ..and invites you to all join in on the chorus.

"The Bonnie Blue Flag!"

We are a band of brothers

And native to the soil

Fighting for our liberty with....

And when our rights were threatened The cry rose near and far

Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag That bears a single star

Hurrah, Hurrah For Southern rights, hurrah

Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag That bears a single star

We owe you Texas boys a debt of gratitude for putting on these shows.

Colonel Patton, any man who can't handle a guitar or a fiddle...

. ..ain't fit to carry a musket.

But now, when Northern treachery

Attempts our rights to mar

We hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag That bears a single star

Hurrah, Hurrah For Southern rights, hurrah

Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag That bears a single star

Then here's to our Confederacy Strong we are and braVe

Like patriots of old we'll fight Our heritage to saVe

And rather than submit to shame To die we would prefer

So cheer for the Bonnie Blue Flag That bears a single star

Hurrah, hurrah For Southern rights, hurrah

Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag That bears a single star

Hurrah, hurrah For Southern rights, hurrah

Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag That bears a single star

Attention, battalions.

Halt.

-Sergeant, keep these men here for now. -Yes, sir.

Sir.

The men have rounded up three deserters.

Establish the courts-martial.

Have them arraigned. See they're given a fair hearing.

Uh, yes, sir.

Yes?

Well, l thought that you should know, sir.

They all belong to the Stonewall brigade.

Do your duty, soldier.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Pendleton, if they are innocent, these men will go free.

But if they are found guilty of desertion. ..

. ..the courts-martial condemns them to death. lt must be so.

Yes, sir.

Of course, sir.

l'm not done yet.

Sandie.

lf the Republicans lose their little war, they are voted out in the next election. ..

. ..and they return to their homes in New York or Massachusetts or lllinois. . .

. ..fat with their war profits.

lf we lose, we lose our country.

We lose our independence.

We lose it all.

Our soldiers are brave.

They have endured hardships none of them could ever have imagined.

Desertion is not a solitary crime.

lt's a crime against the tens of thousands of veterans. . .

. ..who are huddled together in the harsh cold of this winter.

Against all those who have sacrificed.

Against all those who have fallen.

Against all the women and the children we have left alone to fend for themselves.

l regard the crime of desertion as a sin against the Army of the Lord.

Duty is ours.

The consequences are God's.

l am a soldier in the 4th Virginia.

And in the 4th Virginia l will stay.

And if needs be, die.

The courts-martial of the Army of Northern Virginia. . .

. ..has found you guilty of desertion and sentences you to death. . .

. ..by firing squad.

Lieutenant, do your duty.

Detail, ready!

Aim.

Fire!

Recover, arm!

Morning, Lawrence.

-Any mail? -No.

But l did manage to get my hands on a New York Tribune.

-What are they saying about us now? -Well, not much about us.

l mean, that is, this Army here in Stoneman's Switch.

Sure are kicking up a fuss about Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.

Oh. Says here that enlistments are down and desertions are up.

-Any grumbling among the men? -Well, not in our regiment.

A few wonder out loud why they should be risking their lives for the darkies.

Well, Tom, you know my position.

l signed up to preserve the Union. The president did the right thing.

What's the use of uniting the country by force and leaving slavery in place?

lt sure riled up those Johnny Rebs.

They'll think Lincoln incited the slaves to rise against them.

Why shouldn't they?

Freeing the slaves wasn't a war aim when this began, but war changes things.

-lt sorts things out. -Well, l don't know, Lawrence.

Not everybody feels the way we do about the darkies.

Especially when it comes to fighting and dying.

Tom.

Do me a favor.

Don't call me Lawrence and don't call Negroes "darkies."

That's a patronizing expression from which we must free ourselves.

Come outside. l want to, uh-- l want to show you something.

All these thousands of men.

Many of them not much more than boys.

Each one of them some mother's son.

Some sister's brother. Some daughter's father.

Each one of them a whole person, loved and cherished in some home far away.

Many of them will never return.

An army is power.

lts entire purpose is to coerce others.

Now, this kind of power cannot be used carelessly or recklessly.

This kind of power can do great harm.

We have seen more suffering than any man should ever see. . .

. ..and if there is going to be an end to it, it must be an end that justifies the cost.

Now, somewhere out there is the Confederate Army.

They claim they are fighting for their independence, for their freedom.

Now, l cannot question their integrity.

l believe they are wrong, but l cannot question it.

But l do question a system that defends its own freedom while it denies it to others.

To an entire race of men.

l will admit it, Tom, war is a scourge. But so is slavery.

lt is the systematic coercion of one group of men over another.

lt has been around since the book of Genesis.

lt exists in every corner of the world.

But that's no excuse for us to tolerate it here.. .

. ..when we find it right before our very eyes, in our own country.

As God is my witness, there is no one l hold in my heart dearer than you.

But if your life or mine is part of the price to end this curse and free the Negro. . .

. ..then let God's will be done.

Oh, my, general, we do appreciate the gift.

Where do you get all these lemons?

lt's a kind providence that provides kindly.

Miss Corbin, the Yankees have not succeeded in cutting our rail lines...

. ..to the South.

Here is to the sultry, balmy South.

And, Miss Corbin, here's to your engagement.

May Sandie Pendleton prove to be as fine a husband as he is a soldier.

Hear, hear.

Mm.

Mm.

That's good, it's not too sweet.

May l have some more?

Sure.

Mrs. Corbin.

Thank you for your many kindnesses.

Our cause and our country are in your debt.

l only regret, general, that we could not do more.

You'll come visit us again when this cruel war is over?

l should like to say goodbye to your daughter. l shall miss her very much.

Certainly, general. She's not feeling very well today.

All of the children have come down with the fever. Please, come in.

Well, now.

What's this?

How can l play with my friend if she insists on staying in bed?

Jane.

Will you place this angel on your tree next Christmas?

Mm-hm.

Bless you, child.

Mrs. Corbin, l must return to my men.

My physician, Doctor McGuire, will attend to her.

-l will send him directly. -Bless you, general.

Fresh meat. What a change.

Yeah. A live steer around these parts is as rare as a peacock in a poultry pen.

lt was scarlet fever.

The children are all right. They'll be fine. Except--

l'm so sorry, sir.

The little girl, Jane.

She did not survive. She died, sir.

No, Sandie.

What is it?

He's never cried before.

Not for all the blood and all the death, not for his young students from VMl ...

. ..not for his friends. . .

. ..not for anyone.

Not so, Sandie.

l think he is crying for them all.

She's too pretty to look like me.

Nonsense, Thomas.

She is very like you.

She rises early and she loves to be held in my arms.

l have never seen you look so well, Thomas.

You are handsomer than ever.

And grant that this child now to be baptized therein...

. ..may receive the fullness of thy grace...

. ..and ever remain the number of thy faithful children.

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Amen.

What is the Christian name of the child?

-Julia Laura. Julia Laura.

l baptize thee in the name of the Father. . .

. ..and of the Son. . .

. ..and of the Holy Ghost.

Amen.

Amen.

He won't agree.

Mr. Minnis.

Would you tell him that you were sent to take General Lee's photograph. ..

. ..but that General Lee declined unless General Jackson's was taken first.

Certainly, Captain Pendleton.

No photographs.

Sir, l was sent from Richmond to take a photograph of General Lee. ..

. ..but the general decided that he did not want his photograph taken. . .

. ..until l had taken your photograph first.

Sir, General Lee was most insistent on the importance of your photograph.

l cannot refuse General Lee's request.

Where do you wish me to stand?

Mr. Booth is here the entire month.

He's playing in Hamlet, Katherine and Petruchio...

...The Merchant of Venice, Richard llI and Macbeth.

Which is your favorite, Mr. President?

l think nothing equals Macbeth.

l have read it many times.

-l am curious to see Mr. Booth's rendition. -lndeed?

l am told Booth does the death scene spectacularly.

Very physical. Wilder than his brother Edwin.

That is one reproach l have of Shakespeare's heroes.

What reproach is that, dear?

They all make long speeches when they are killed.

They do indeed.

ls this a dagger which l see before me. . .

. ..handle towards my hand?

Come, let me clutch thee.

l have thee not, yet l see thee still.

Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible to feeling as to sight?

Or art thou but a dagger of the mind. . .

. ..a false creation. . .

. ..proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?

l see thee yet. . .

. ..in form as palpable as this which now l draw.

Thou marshall'st me the way that l was going. ..

. ..and such an instrument l was to use.

Mine eyes are made the fools o' the other senses.

l see thee still. . .

. ..and on thy blade and dudgeon...

. ..gouts of blood, which was not so before.

lt is the bloody business which informs thus to mine eyes.

Whiles l threat...

. ..he lives.

Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives.

l go, and it is done.

The bell invites me.

Hear it not, Duncan. . .

. ..for it is a knell that summons thee to heaven...

. ..or to hell.

Well, Mr. Booth, another triumph.

The president and Mrs. Lincoln wish to see you.

You may tell that tyrant...

. ..that destroyer of civil liberties. . .

. ..that warmonger...

. ..that l am indisposed. Huh?

Better still, tell him nothing.

Tell him l'd already gone.

Golly gee, Booth.

An endorsement from the president of the United States.

Could be a big thing for your career.

LEE: General, from what we've observed. . .

. ..Hooker has moved five corps, maybe 70,000 men.

They're digging in around Chancellor's mansion.

Sedgwick has another 40,000 spread out along the Stafford Heights. . .

. ..on the north bank of the Rappahannock in front of General Early at Fredericksburg.

Now, there's possibly 30,000 more back along the river north of here. . .

. ..that we've not yet located.

We're not in a position of strength here.

We owe a great deal to the unexplainable, the mystery of General Hooker. . .

. ..who's allowed us to maneuver freely...

. ..between two parts of an army that's more than twice our strength.

We do not yet understand his plan.

He may still plan a move toward Gordonsville. . .

. ..move around below us, cut us off from Richmond.

And there's still Sedgwick on the river.

Now Sedgwick shows no signs of moving, but that could change.

They're anchored against the river. . .

. ..and their lines continue down below Chancellorsville. . .

. ..then curves along here.

We've observed their lines curving out in these open clearings. . .

. ..then extending on out to the west.

Then what, general? Do you know where their right flank is?

JACKSON: No. Not yet. LEE: We must know. We must know.

lf he marches in that direction, he could threaten our flank.. .

. ..or be going toward Gordonsville before we can react.

Out here, in the west, along this turnpike, here...

. ..their right flank's in the air. lt's the one place they're not digging in.

They're not expecting any pressure there.

-Who's on their flank? -1 1 th Corps. Oliver Howard.

Mm-hm. Were there any roads farther down below the turnpike?

Yes, sir. lndeed there are, good roads.

That's Catherine's Furnace here and there's a road here.

-There's a road over this way. -Then, we must hit them there.

Then attack the flank. They will have nowhere to go.

They'll have to go back across the river or we will destroy them.

We're too close to their lines. They'll observe our movements.

There must be another road farther down.

Now, is there someone we know?

Someone we can trust who knows the area?

Captain Pendleton. Find Reverend Lacy for me.

LACY: l'm, uh, here, sir.

This is my chaplain, the Reverend Tucker Lacy.

He has family in this area.

General Lee.

Reverend, it would be very helpful if you could find us a safe route...

-. . .around the enemy. -Well, sir, uh, there, l know a family.

The Wellfords. Uh, l suggest a visit to them. We may find ourselves a guide.

Please go at once, Mr. Lacy. Find someone who might show us how we might proceed.

Yes, sir.

Then it has been decided, general. This mission will be yours.

l would not have it any other way.

Where is General Jackson, Jim?

He done gone to see his officers, sir.

How come that you know so much about what the general is thinking, Jim?

None of us do.

The general never tells me nothing, sir.

But the way l knows is this:

The general say his prayers twice a day...

. ..morning and night.

But if he gets out of bed in the night two or three times to pray...

. .. l just packs the haversack.

l know there's a move on hand and hell to pay in the morning.

"Hell to pay in the morning."

Very amusing.

-Amusing. -Yeah.

Yeah.

Wait.

There is another road.

lt's a road that runs well below the Federal lines.

The Wellford boy explained it to me. He knows the route.

He will march with us to where this road rejoins the turnpike. . .

. ..then we turn to the east and attack their right flank.

lt is a greater distance, perhaps 1 2 or 1 3 miles, but the boys can do it.

They have never let us down.

Farewell, general.

How many troops will you require?

Five, general, my whole corps.

And what will you leave me?

Well, the divisions of Anderson and McLaws.

You leave me 1 2,000 men against Hooker's 70,000.

lf Hooker pushes out of his trenches.. .

. ..he could destroy not only the plan but possibly the Army.

And there's still Sedgwick along the river.

How long will he sit staring at Marye's Hill? How long?

We've divided the Army before.

We must retain the advantage of surprise, we must outflank the flankers.

We must beat them at their own game.

Take your entire corps, General Jackson, and destroy the enemy.

God be with you.

Boys, my days are numbered.

My time has come.

You can laugh, but my time has come.

l got a 20-dollar gold piece l carried through the war and a silver watch. . .

. ..my daddy sent to me through the lines.

Take them off of me when l'm dead.

Give them to my captain to give to my daddy when he gets back home.

Here's my clothes and my blanket. Anybody who wishes can have them.

My rations l do not wish at all. My gun and cartridge box l expect to die with.

-Mr. Smith. -Sir.

Your instructions to the ranks: There is to be no noise, l want no talking.

Stragglers will be bayoneted, let the men know.

No muskets are to be loaded until we deploy for battle. Secrecy, Mr. Smith.

Everything depends upon the element of surprise.

Sir, l'll convey the orders. No stragglers.

-Reverend. -May we bow our heads.

Dear Lord, heavenly Father, you who know all things.

We face again a mighty foe, a vast host.

An enemy more than twice our number.

But you have taught us to fear not, to trust in you.

When the Philistines came before them, the people of lsrael feared Goliath.

Their Army was in terror.

No one had the courage to stand against the mighty warrior.

Then you brought forth David, a mere boy.

And Saul armed David with his armor...

...and he put a helmet of brass upon his head.

Also he armed him with a coat of mail.

And DaVid girded his sword upon his armor and he assayed to go.

General Rodes, deploy your men on either side of the turnpike, brigade front.

How soon will General Colston's men be up?

We're right behind, general.

JACKSON: General Lee...

...l hope as soon as practicable to attack...

...l trust that an ever kind providence will bless us with great success.

Take this to General Lee.

Well, General Rodes...

. ..it appears the Virginia Military lnstitute will be heard from today.

Deploy your brigade.

Two hours of daylight left. Are you ready, General Rodes?

You may move forward.

Fall back!

They're coming! Get your muskets!

-Shoulder to shoulder! Let's go, let's go! -Fall back!

Aim, fire!

Pull back and save yourself!

Fall back!

Fire! Fall back!

lnto the trees, men! Fall back!

lnto the trees!

Form a line! Form a line!

Form a line!

-Run! Run! -Charge!

Press on!

Hold up right here! Aim! Fire!

Push on!

Fire!

Hell, that's hot. l knew you'd be all right, you dang fool.

Oh, God.

Regroup!

-Stop running! -Move into line!

Stay together!

My God! Give them the bayonet!

-Stop running! -Stop running!

Stop running, soldier!

Stop running! Rally with me, men!

-Rally with me! -Stop! Rally around the general!

We have stopped, sir. Can't see. The lines are tangled.

We're mixed in with Rodes' men. lt's confusion, sir.

We need Hill to come up. Hill's men can move on by us.

Tell General Colston he must re-form his men.

Now l will strongly urge General Hill to push forward hard.

We must not stop. Let General Colston know they will run if we press them.

Yes, sir.

General Hill, you must keep the men moving. We must keep the pressure up.

We have broken their flank. We can crush them now if we can cut them off.

We must not give them time to get organized.

General, take your division forward.

Press on north, move toward the river, toward the United States ford.

-We must not let them escape. -lt's late in the day, general.

-We don't know the ground. -Boswell!

You will ride with General Hill. You will find a way through the woods to the northeast.

You will find the rear of the enemy's position.

Yes, sir.

We will cut them off, general!

They're digging in. Must be Federal.

Sound carries at night, they could be a ways off.

General, sir, we are beyond our lines. This is no place for you, sir.

You're right.

lt cannot go the way l'd hoped.

lt will have to be tomorrow.

Gentlemen, let us return to the road.

Stop firing! You're firing at your own men!

Hold it!

Hold your fire! These are your own men here!

lt's a lie! Pour into them, boys!

Cease fire! Cease fire!

General Hill, they're our men!

What have they done?

Who is this?

Oh, God, general! Are you hurt badly?

l'm afraid l am, in my shoulder.

And here.

-Get a litter. We need a litter. Move! Yes, sir.

-We must leave here, general. -Here, take this. lt'll help, sir.

l will try to keep this from the knowledge of the troops.

Thank you, general.

The Yankees have set up a battery not a hundred yards. We must get away!

Ready? Lift! Careful now.

Move out. Ready, lift.

Fire!

General. Lie quiet, or you will most certainly be killed.

Let's go. Lift!

Move! Ready? Lift!

Doctor, good to see you.

l am hurt badly.

l fear l am dying.

Sir, l want you to drink this.

lt's whiskey and morphine.

Your right hand is minor. The ball lodged under the skin.

lt's these other wounds.

l need to examine your arm.

And l'll administer chloroform to make it painless.

lf l should find that the condition warrants amputation...

. ..may l proceed at once?

l have complete faith in you, Dr. McGuire.

You must do to me whatever you think necessary.

Breathe deeply, general.

What an infinite blessing.

Blessing.

Doesn't seem right that General Jackson isn't here to see this.

No, major. lt does not seem right at all. But it is the will of God.

He's lost his left arm. l've lost my right.

General?

How you feeling, sir?

Do not concern yourself about me.

But tell me, how are we faring?

General, the enemy's gone across the river.

We secured the high ground around Chancellorsville.

General Stuart did well by you, sir.

And the Stonewall brigade...

. ..right in the middle of it, sir. "Remember Jackson," they shouted.

l heard that all day.

They were fighting for Stonewall.

Well, isn't that just like them. They are a noble set of men.

That name, Stonewall, belongs to the brigade, not to me.

l have the ball.

Dr. McGuire allowed me to keep the musket ball he took from your hand.

lt was a round, smooth bore. lt had to be one of ours.

l heard. They thought l was asleep.

lt could not be helped. There's no blame in war.

We must all forgive.

Watch your step.

Mrs. Jackson.

So am--?

Am l allowed to visit my husband before he is buried?

Buried? He's--

Oh, my. No, no, no. This is the body of Frank Paxton.

General Paxton is moving his body back to Lexington.

Well, l knew Mr. Paxton. General Paxton, he's our neighbor.

His wife, she cried when he left.

l suppose she knew something like this would happen.

Thank you.

l had to remove your husband's left arm, patch his right hand.

He's healing well, l'm very pleased. But there is a new problem.

l do believe he is developing pneumonia.

-May l see him, doctor? -Well, certainly, certainly. Um, he's weak.

l've given him some medicine to help him sleep.

He's in some pain and the medication makes him drift away. He's in and out.

General, l have a treat for you. Something you may have been missing.

Another medicine?

Very well, doctor.

No, it's not mine, actually.

But it may do you some good.

Oh, oh, oh, so sweet. Too much sugar.

Always the problem with my esposita's lemonade.

l'm so glad to see you looking so bright.

No, no. You must be cheerful.

Let's not have a long face.

You know l like cheerfulness and brightness in a sickroom.

Esposita.

My esposita.

l know you would gladly give your life for me. . .

. ..but l am perfectly resigned. Do not be sad.

l hope l may yet recover.

Pray for me.

But in your prayers, never forget to use the petition, "Thy will be done."

l'm so glad you're here. Your lemonade is delicious.

-lt's not too sweet. -Too much sugar.

l never told you that.

O, Caesar-- -Hence! Wilt thou lift up Olympus?

Great Caesar--

Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?

Speak, hands, for me!

Et tu, Brute!

Then fall, Caesar.

Liberty! Freedom!

Tyranny is dead!

-Hello, Mrs. Chamberlain. -Hello.

-Thank you for staying. -Thank you.

Come, you must meet the other actors.

Mr. Harrison, Mr. Booth, may l present Colonel Chamberlain and his wife.

May l congratulate you, all of you, on a most moving interpretation.

This is only a play.

We've heard about you, colonel. . .

. ..and how you stood on the bridge of the Rappahannock like Horatius. . .

. ..as hundreds fled in panic round you.

How can our playing compare to what you have seen, what you have done?

Well, remember, gentlemen, l am not a soldier by nature.

l am a teacher of rhetoric...

. ..and my master, as yours, is Shakespeare.

And, uh, did you enjoy the play, Mrs. Chamberlain?

Oh. Very much.

Mr. Booth, tell me something.

Do you regard yourself as the hero or the villain of Shakespeare's play?

Well, ha, ha. . . .

Well, an actor must always regard himself as a hero, Mrs. Chamberlain...

. ..even if that role be no more than a simple soldier who only speaks one line.

Yes. lt's for the audience to decide who is a hero and who is villain.

We merely play the parts allotted to us.

How do you think of us, Mrs. Chamberlain...

. ..Cinna and Brutus, as heroes or villains?

Well. . .

. ..noblest Roman of them all. . .

. ..you cannot be villains in Shakespeare's eyes. . .

. ..though Dante makes you the worst villains in the world. . .

. ..after Judas lscariot.

No, you are not villains to Shakespeare. . .

. ..but l wonder, are you heroes?

-Oh. l speak too much. l'm sorry. -No, no, no.

My beloved husband has been given a few days' furlough here. . .

. ..and everything about these days delights me utterly.

Do not expect me to speak intelligently about your play or anything else.

My eyes, my heart, my whole being is dancing uncontrollably with joy. ..

. ..at being together with the man that l love.

Thank you for enriching my stay here with those immortal words. Thank you.

Come, Fanny. We must leave the players to rest after their exertions.

Good evening.

What a Caesar, Harrison.

What a Caesar.

Too young for Caesar. Henry V.

Yes, Henry V.

With that voice shouting, "Once more into the breach!"

Oh, yes. Henry V.

Teacher, not a soldier.

And a better actor than either of us.

But he's chosen the right role in the right play.

He'll be applauded long after we're forgotten.

All we can do, Harrison, is like l said to Mrs. Chamberlain.

All we can do is play the roles allotted to us.

Well, if a teacher of rhetoric can become a soldier, so can an actor.

l've known for some time l could not go on like this.

And now. ...

lf the Yankee cause can sway a man like that.. .

. ..then we need every man we can muster.

Booth, l'm quitting the stage. l have to go.

l loathe, l detest his cause.

But were l to be killed by a man like that. . .

. .. l'd regard it an honor.

Yes, sir.

An honor.

You were always inclined to melodrama, Harrison.

What makes you think you'll be a better soldier than an actor?

Stay here.

Your place is here.

Why should we think what we do is any less than what soldiers do?

We may be mere actors.. .

. ..but think of the words we help to keep alive.

Who will remember the names of.. .

. ..Queen Elizabeth's generals, and politicians?

Who will ever forget. . .

. ..the name...

. ..Shakespeare?

ls that my sweet darling angel?

My Julia.

ls it certain, doctor?

Does he know?

l have not told him.

Then l will.

He must know.

He must be prepared.

Guard us, guide us

Keep us, feed us

For we have no help but thee

Yet possessing every blessing

lf our God our father be

My darling...

. ..today is Sunday.

Do you know that the doctor says you must very soon be in heaven?

Do you not feel willing to acquiesce in God's allotment if he wills you to go today?

l prefer it.

Well. . .

. ..by the time this day closes. . .

. ..you will be with the blessed Savior in his glory.

l ....

l will be an infinite gainer to be translated.

General Lee.

What is the news, Reverend?

General Lee, l must report that his case appears hopeless.

His wounds are healing, but he's dying of pneumonia.

Surely General Jackson must recover.

God will not take him from us, not now that we need him so very much.

Will you see him, sir?

No, sir, l won't. No, sir.

When you return, l trust you'll find him better.

And when the occasion offers, tell him that l prayed for him last night.. .

. ..as l never prayed, l believe, for myself.

Please tell him.

Sir.

Push up that column.

Move up that column.

Pendleton, take charge of that line. Where's Smith?

Tell him. Push up that column.

Move the batteries to the center of the crest. There's no time to waste.

General Stuart, no quarter to the violators of our homes and hearths.

General Lee, we must take the war to the enemy.

You are the 1 st Brigade.

Advance, my brave boys.

Press on.

Let us cross over the river. . .

. ..and rest under the shade of the trees.