In the Movie Glory (1989), why did the union solders walk as they were on the battlefield into their deaths?

Question

in the beginning...

instead at the end, where the soldiers were running and seemed alot more effective?

is it because a change of strategy overall in the union or something else?

thank you.

response to the marching strategy.....yes, so soldiers wouldnt get tired when they're close but whats the point of they're all blown up or gunned down by the time they get close?

i will never understand why back then they fought this way, why not separate and use guerilla techniques?

Answer 1

That movie Glory with Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington was brillant.

Historically accurate? Well thats another thing...

During the Civil war, troops from opposing sides continued to march toward each other - even under heavy fire from cannon, short range guns. Suicidal march to death.

In the end of the movie, I think that just hollywood wanting to demonstrate the eagerness of the Black troops to prove their valour and honour in the attack upon the fort. Or maybe it was because they were not charging against enemy lines - they were charging against a fort. Either way - it was doomed.

I wouldnt look to much into the movie and battle scenes. I would look a great more detail into Civil war history for further information on how troops conducted themselves into battle.

Answer 2

Keeping a tight formation and maneuvering to get into an advantageous postion to make best use of the weapons was key to military tactics of the age.

A "charge", wherein everyone breaks ranks and runs as fast as he can, is short-term effective, but loses effectiveness at close range (as seen at the end; they did not take the fort) which is why unit maneuver is still used today (though it looks vastly different) and the "charge" is largely a thing of the past in modern armies.

Answer 3

It was still observed at the time to charge in tight formation at a slow pace, from walking to trotting so as to not tire out the soldiers making the attack. A winded soldier is much less effective, especially if the combat is hand-to-hand.