Glory

The Massachusetts Infantry Regiment engages Confederate forces in the bloody Battle of Antietam during the American Civil War. Captain Robert Gould Shaw is injured in the conflict and is initially thought to be dead.

After the Battle of Antietam, Captain Shaw is found alive by a gravedigger named John Rawlins. He is then sent to a field hospital for medical attention.

While on medical leave in Boston, Shaw visits his family and reconnects with his roots. It is during this time that he meets the former slave and abolitionist, Frederick Douglass.

Shaw is offered a promotion to the rank of Colonel and is given command of the first all-black regiment, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He accepts this significant responsibility, demonstrating a commitment to his new soldiers.

Shaw recruits men for the 54th Regiment, including his childhood friend Major Cabot Forbes, who agrees to serve as his second-in-command. Among the first recruits is Thomas Searles, a bookish freeman with ambitions to fight.

The new recruits undergo rigorous training under the strict supervision of Sergeant Mulcahy. Shaw faces a dilemma when he observes Mulcahy's harsh treatment of his friend, Thomas, but ultimately decides that all soldiers must endure the same training.

When Trip goes AWOL to find better footwear, Shaw orders him to be flogged in front of the troops. This actions expose the deep scars of Trip's past and leads Shaw to realize the dire lack of provisions for his men.

Shaw confronts the quartermaster to advocate for proper supplies for his men, learning that they were being denied basic necessities due to their race. His efforts reveal systemic issues within the military regarding racial equality.

During a dispute over pay, the federal government decides to compensate black soldiers less than their white counterparts. This leads Trip to organize a protest, where Shaw publicly supports his men, showcasing his commitment to justice.

The 54th receives orders to transfer under General Charles Garrison Harker. Shaw continues to press for combat opportunities, growing frustrated with the manual labor assignments forced upon his regiment.

While heading towards the front lines, the 54th is ordered to participate in the looting and destruction of the town of Darien. Shaw is initially resistant, but ultimately complies under duress from his commanding officers.

The 54th engages in its first battle on James Island, South Carolina. Despite heavy casualties, the regiment exhibits remarkable courage, forcing the Confederate forces to retreat.

General Strong briefs Shaw on a critical campaign to capture Battery Wagner in Charleston Harbor. Understanding the stakes, Shaw volunteers the 54th to lead the charge, demonstrating fierce determination.

In a harrowing assault on Battery Wagner, the 54th faces devastating artillery fire. Throughout the chaos, Shaw is shot and killed, while Trip bravely rallies the remaining soldiers to continue the charge.

Despite the loss of nearly half of the 54th in the assault, their bravery prompts the Union to recruit thousands of additional black soldiers into combat. Their sacrifice is later credited as a pivotal factor in the Union's ultimate victory.