Gods and Generals (film) Quotes

“This is a hell of a regiment.”

“[at Fredericksburg] 20th Maine to the front!”

“It is well that war is so terrible, or we should grow too fond of it.”

“IMDB page”

“[after Jackson's wounding] He's lost his left arm...I've lost my right.”

“[last words - May 10, 1863] Let us cross over the river...and rest under the shade of the trees.”

“Robert Duvall - Gen. Robert E. Lee”

“Stephen Lang - Lt. Gen. Stonewall Jackson”

“Wikipedia: Gods and Generals (film)”

“Matt Letscher - Col. Adelbert Ames”

“Kevin Conway - Sgt. Buster Kilrain”

“Joseph Fuqua - Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart”

“Carsten Norgaard - Maj. Gen. Darius N. Couch”

“Alex Hyde-White - Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside”

“Brian Mallon - Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock”

“Jeff Daniels - Lt. Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain”

“[to artillerist E. Porter Alexander, at Fredericksburg] Colonel Alexander, Federal troops amassed across that river are watching us prepare for them. If I were General Burnside, I would not attack here. I'd move back upstream, come across from above us. But Burnside is not a man with the luxury of flexibility. He's being pushed from behind by loud voices in Washington, by newspapers who demand quick action. No, we're here, and so he will attack us here.”

“[in winter quarters, to his brother Tom] War is a scourge, but so is slavery. It is the systematic coercion of one group of men over another. It has been around since the book of Genesis. It exists in every corner of the world, but that is no excuse for us to tolerate it here when we find it right in front of our very eyes in our own country. As God as my witness, there is no one I 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 work be done.”

“[instructing Chamberlain on troop movements] Line of battle consists of two lines of men, one behind the other, so that while one line fires, the other reloads. Behind them is a line of file 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 into line of battle and back again quickly. It is not difficult to move from line of battle to column of fours. It is much harder to move from column of fours into line of battle, and if we're called upon to make that move, it will be when we're under fire. I'm sure you can understand, Colonel, how important it is that these moves are learned so thoroughly that the men could perform them in their sleep.”

“[farewell address to the Stonewall Brigade, prior to Fredericksburg] 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 have 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 hitherto favored our cause, you will win more victories, and add luster to the reputation you now enjoy. You've 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 that whenever I shall hear of the First Brigade on the field of battle, it will be of still nobler deeds achieved and higher reputation won. [draws his sword and holds it up in salute] In the Army of the Shenandoah, you were the First Brigade! In the Army of the Potomac, you were the First Brigade! In the Second Corps of this army, you are the First Brigade! You are the First Brigade in the affections of your general, and I hope by your future deeds and bearing you will be handed down the posterity as the First Brigade in this, our Second War of Independence! Godspeed!”