Plot: Based on the letters of Colonel Robert G. Shaw. Shaw was an officer in the Federal Army during the American Civil War who volunteered to lead the first company of black soldiers. Shaw was forced to deal with the prejudices of both the enemy (who had orders to kill commanding officers of blacks), and of his own fellow officers.

Tags: 1860s, african american, american civil war, army, barefoot, based on book, battle, bayonet, bravery, breakthrough hero, childhood friend, children's choir, colonel, corporal punishment, corpse, epic, exploding head, famous score, flogging, fort, friendship, friendship between men, general, governor, heroism, historical, honor, letter, male bonding, martial arts, mass grave, military, military officer, mute child, prejudice, pride, racial slur, racism, sacrifice, self esteem, shot in the arm, shot in the back, shot in the chest, shot in the face, shot in the leg, shot to death, slavery, soldier, stabbed in the back, stuttering, show all tags.