Civil War Memories Film Review
"The “pay crisis” is depicted in that wonderful scene where both Shaw and his men tear up their vouchers after learning that they are to be paid under the terms set out in the Militia Act of 1862 – $10 for black soldiers as opposed to $13 for white soldiers. Unfortunately, the scene is used to highlight the evolution of Shaw’s identification with his men and is promptly dropped as an issue. Well, it was an issue throughout much of the unit’s history and it grew worse following the failed assault at Wagner in July 1863 and Shaw’s death.
My paraphrase
The Militia Act of 1862 stated that the pay for black soldiers would be $10, whereas the pay for white soldiers would be $13, causing Shaw and his men to rip their vouchers in an act of defiance. The pay controversy is sadly not mentioned again, as the scene is solely used to show the character change of Shaw as he sides with his men. However, the situation did remain prominent and continued to deteriorate throughout the soldier's serving period following the floundered attack on Wagner and Shaw's death.
"The “pay crisis” is depicted in that wonderful scene where both Shaw and his men tear up their vouchers after learning that they are to be paid under the terms set out in the Militia Act of 1862 – $10 for black soldiers as opposed to $13 for white soldiers. Unfortunately, the scene is used to highlight the evolution of Shaw’s identification with his men and is promptly dropped as an issue. Well, it was an issue throughout much of the unit’s history and it grew worse following the failed assault at Wagner in July 1863 and Shaw’s death.
My paraphrase
The Militia Act of 1862 stated that the pay for black soldiers would be $10, whereas the pay for white soldiers would be $13, causing Shaw and his men to rip their vouchers in an act of defiance. The pay controversy is sadly not mentioned again, as the scene is solely used to show the character change of Shaw as he sides with his men. However, the situation did remain prominent and continued to deteriorate throughout the soldier's serving period following the floundered attack on Wagner and Shaw's death.
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