n Irish officer. A report from the time states that "the regiment showed great interest in drilling" (Emilio 21). The weather in the film matches that of the historical record:
Owing to heavy and frequent rains in March and the early days of April, the mud was often very deep between the barracks and the officers' quarters. . . In stormy weather squad and company drills went on in vacant barracks (Emilio 22).
The words of Colonel Shaw in the film are very like those of Surgeon-General Dale written in 1863 about the demeanor of these troops:
In camp, these soldiers presented a buoyant cheerfulness and hilarity, which impressed me with the idea that the monotony of their ordinary duties would not dampen their feeling of contentment, if they were well cared for. . . it is my dispassionate and honest conviction that no r
...