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Captions by vitac...
www.Vitac.Com

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captions paid for by
discovery communications

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[ battle cries ]

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Narrator: Following their victory
at gettysburg the previous year,

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union forces have finally
gained the upper hand.

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They now drive deep
into rebel territory.

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The confederacy is shrinking,

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being cut off and
surrounded piece by piece.

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Narrator: Near the outskirts of
Nashville, Tennessee, a pivotal battle

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that will forever alter
the course of the civil war

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is about to commence.

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Nashville's one of the most
important battles of the war.

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It also sets the stage
for what's to come.

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Narrator: Desperate to end
the union's invasion in the south,

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the rebels have
launched a daring attempt

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to seize Nashville,

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a key union supply depot.

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♪♪

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Jones: If the confederates
can control Nashville,

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they can prevent federal
operations into the deep south.

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Narrator: To hold the city,

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the union will turn to an
unlikely source for help...

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Former slaves

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desperate to fight those
who kept them in bondage.

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Jones: These men
understand that they are fighting

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for the liberation
of an entire nation.

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They don't want
freedom handed to them.

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They want to fight for it.

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Narrator: Before the sun sets
on this cold Friday in December,

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history will be made...

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and the nation changed forever.

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In the winter of 1864,

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the men of the 18th
Alabama infantry

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now move through the woods
south of Nashville, Tennessee.

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Alongside almost
30,000 other troops,

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they've been sent on a mission

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rebel commanders hope will
help them regain the upper hand

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in the civil war.

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The confederacy's shrinking,

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being cut off and
surrounded piece by piece.

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In December of 1864,

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the confederacy is on the ropes.

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But they're still trying

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to pull the rabbit
out of the hat.

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Narrator: Atlanta has fallen.

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Union forces now
burn their way east

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toward the coast of Georgia.

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To stay in the field,

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the yankee invasion
depends on a vital lifeline...

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Nashville, Tennessee.

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Nashville is how the union army

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is operating south of Tennessee.

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So if you're going
to go and take land,

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take territory in
the deep south,

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you need a supply depot.

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And Nashville is
that supply depot.

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I don't think you
could overestimate

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exactly how powerful
Nashville has been

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as an influence on
the union war effort.

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All the supplies for every
invasion they've launched

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so far in the war has
passed through this city.

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Narrator: In November
1864, the army of Tennessee,

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the rebels' second
largest force,

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is sent to sever that lifeline.

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Jones: If the confederates
can control Nashville,

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they can previous
federal operations

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into the deep south,

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into Alabama, into Georgia.

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But also they have
now a major supply hub.

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They can get their
supplies to their army

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that's operating
north of Nashville.

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Narrator: The previous
day, rebels clashed

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with union forces
sent to drive them off.

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After the rebel line was
smashed in several places,

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they were forced to
pull back south of the city

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with heavy losses.

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But the fight isn't over.

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These southern troops are used
to facing long odds and winning.

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They know the
second round is looming

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and want to be
ready when it comes.

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Until they can seize
supplies in Nashville,

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they'll take what they
need from fallen Yankees.

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Well, don't that just beat all.

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Narrator: By late 1864,

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thousands of African Americans
now serve with the union army.

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Jones: From the
beginning of the war,

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there were African Americans

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who were attempting
to offer their services

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to the union cause.

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They were told by
the war department

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that, "we don't
need your services."

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Narrator: But as
the war drags on,

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the union sees the value in
arming African Americans,

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especially those
enslaved in the south.

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They're laying the railroad
tracks for the confederacy.

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They're building the roads.

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They are part of the
manufacturing industry.

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So this is a critical
part of southern labor.

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And if the union can
lure them into union lines

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and bring them into
the federal army,

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this will injure
confederate operations.

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Narrator: In early
1863, Lincoln issues

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the emancipation proclamation,

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freeing southern
slaves and giving them

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the right to fight
with the union army.

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Just months later,
the first regiments

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of the United States
colored troops,

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or usct, are created.

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These men serve with the 13th.

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Formed in Tennessee,

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most fled plantations to join.

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One is private Moses slaughter.

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Moses, try this one again.

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This one is "a."

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Mm-hmm, and?

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What come next? I
taught you this one.

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Born into slavery in Tennessee,

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his difficult life was made
more bearable by his adoring

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and devoted mother.

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There you go.

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Although slaves were
not allowed to read or write,

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she was secretly teaching him.

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[ Laughs ] Nice try.

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But that one go the other way.

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Look at this. Let me show you.

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Jones: Slaughter has a very
close relationship with his mother.

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His mother was a nursemaid

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and actually learned
to read and write

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working with the
children of the big house,

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of the great house.

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[ Chuckles ] It's okay, baby.

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You'll get it. You just
don't give up, okay?

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Narrator: But his time
with her is short-lived.

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While still a boy,

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he is given away
as a wedding gift.

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This is a wrenching experience

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that he can do nothing about.

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He is completely helpless.

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His mother can
do nothing about it.

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He is going to be
separated from his family

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because his family is subject

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to the whims of a slaveholder.

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[ Sobbing ]

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[ Screams ]

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Narrator: Nine years after
he is taken from his mother,

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Moses escapes and
joins the federal army.

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Jones: Moses
slaughter, when he enlists

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in the United States
colored troops,

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he understands that if
the union is victorious,

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if he and his fellow soldiers

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are able to put
down the rebellion,

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slavery will come to an end.

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And no child will experience

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what he had to experience.

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If you've seen on a plantation

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the degradation to
the people of color,

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if you've seen your women raped,

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if you've seen your
women and children sold,

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the indignities that
were suffered upon them,

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it prompted one to stand up.

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It gave them the
opportunity to say,

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"I will fight for my freedom

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no matter what the
cause, unto death."

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There was no other option.

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Narrator: 700 miles
away in Washington D.C.,

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President Lincoln
anxiously follows

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developments in Tennessee.

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Allison: Lincoln needs to
destroy the army of Tennessee,

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because it's the last
unpredictable factor.

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It's still mobile.
It's still dangerous.

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It can appear in
different places.

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And in many ways, that's a
nightmare to the union army.

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So they need to
destroy the last threat

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that's still in the field

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and still not under
their control at that point.

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Narrator: He's learned
of the federal victory

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on the first day of fighting

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and now is pushing his
commanders to finish the job.

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Anything less than
the total destruction

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of the rebel force will
be considered a failure.

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While Lincoln hopes
his well-supplied troops

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will prevail over
the rebel attackers,

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he's missing a key
piece of intelligence.

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At the end of the first day,

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rebel forces have
retreated to a high Ridge

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that runs to the
south of Nashville.

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The right end of their line

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now occupies the
formidable heights

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of peach orchard hill.

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It's manned by veteran troops,

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like the 4th Louisiana infantry.

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Allison: The 4th Louisiana infantry
is one of the more experienced

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in the army of Tennessee.

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They have been at every
fight of the war, from Shiloh

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all the way through
the Atlanta campaign.

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And they have an
excellent reputation

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for steadiness under fire.

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And these were grisly,
tough, hard veterans.

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And they had seen it all.

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Narrator: One of
the confederates

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in charge of
fortifying the position

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is first lieutenant
John Kendall.

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Like many, Kendall realizes

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that the fate of
the southern cause

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may well rest on what
happens on this hilltop.

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He knows that if the
union breaks this line,

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the rebel's last chance

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to stop the federal invasion
of the south will be gone.

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Over the past 9 hours,

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rebels have turned the
position into a fortress.

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Allison: They have
the civil war equivalent

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of world war I barbed wire
in front of their trenches

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to slow an attacker down.

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They felled trees and
sharpened them into stakes.

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So they've actually
got this set up

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to give them the best
bang for their buck.

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It's a tough nut for even
veteran troops to try to crack.

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Narrator: By the end of the day,

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Moses slaughter and
the men of the 13th

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will be called upon to
assault this rebel death trap.

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Narrator: Thousands
of union soldiers

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now move through the
woods of central Tennessee.

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They've been sent
to defend Nashville

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from a rebel attack.

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A key union supply
depot, if the city falls,

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the entire union
invasion into the south

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will be in peril.

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♪♪

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Among the defenders is
sergeant James Wilson,

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an escaped slave who serves

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with the 13th United
States colored troops.

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Proud to wear the union blue,

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he demands that his
men receive fair treatment.

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Jones: Wilson was the kind
of man that was a leader.

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And a leader takes care
of the welfare of his men.

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If you want to motivate
men to risk their lives,

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then you take care of them.

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Narrator: Weeks
earlier, Wilson learned

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that a member of the
13th had been tied up

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by some white
soldiers as punishment.

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One of the problems of
putting African American soldiers

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who have come right from
slavery into military discipline

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is military discipline
is uncomfortably close

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to the punishments of slavery.

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And on this occasion, a soldier
was getting company punishment.

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Why he tied up?

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I asked you a question.

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I didn't think they let
deaf folk here in the army.

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Seems that they lettin'
just about anybody

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in the army these days, boy.

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Don't think because
they put on a blue uniform

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that the white soldiers
respected them, as well.

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They were always perceived
as second-rate soldiers.

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00:14:10,793 --> 00:14:12,927
I think we have a
misunderstanding.

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00:14:15,264 --> 00:14:18,799
You think we're runaways.

256
00:14:18,801 --> 00:14:21,335
We didn't run away
from our master.

257
00:14:21,337 --> 00:14:24,205
You know what we did?

258
00:14:24,207 --> 00:14:25,940
We killed him.

259
00:14:28,410 --> 00:14:30,077
All right, fellas.
There's nothing that's...

260
00:14:30,079 --> 00:14:32,145
Now, here's what's
gonna happen, cracker.

261
00:14:32,147 --> 00:14:34,948
He's gonna cut that man loose.

262
00:14:34,950 --> 00:14:37,551
And he right here,

263
00:14:37,553 --> 00:14:40,888
he's gonna put a ball
in your damn brain

264
00:14:40,890 --> 00:14:42,657
if you move an inch.

265
00:14:45,962 --> 00:14:47,894
Jones: James Wilson
cut that man down

266
00:14:47,896 --> 00:14:51,832
because he found it unjust.

267
00:14:51,834 --> 00:14:54,968
And the idea that
you're going to be treated

268
00:14:54,970 --> 00:14:57,371
the way you were in slavery

269
00:14:57,373 --> 00:14:59,506
is repulsive to these soldiers.

270
00:14:59,508 --> 00:15:01,842
And when they see
things that duplicate

271
00:15:01,844 --> 00:15:03,778
what they endured
during their enslavement,

272
00:15:03,780 --> 00:15:07,181
oh, they... they protest.

273
00:15:07,183 --> 00:15:10,517
They take action.

274
00:15:10,519 --> 00:15:14,121
Now, you can keep him
here as long as you want.

275
00:15:14,123 --> 00:15:16,190
He broke the rules.

276
00:15:16,192 --> 00:15:19,293
But you ain't gonna tie him
up like no animal. You hear?

277
00:15:28,604 --> 00:15:30,537
Sergeant.

278
00:15:30,539 --> 00:15:32,339
You really kill your master?

279
00:15:32,341 --> 00:15:33,741
Course not, fool.

280
00:15:33,743 --> 00:15:35,142
Come on, now.

281
00:15:40,549 --> 00:15:42,149
Narrator: Wilson is
desperate to prove

282
00:15:42,151 --> 00:15:44,618
the 13th is the equal
of any regiment.

283
00:15:44,620 --> 00:15:48,889
But so far, they haven't
been given the chance.

284
00:15:48,891 --> 00:15:50,558
Jones: As frontline troops,

285
00:15:50,560 --> 00:15:52,693
there's still an
argument within the union

286
00:15:52,695 --> 00:15:54,161
whether African
American soldiers

287
00:15:54,163 --> 00:15:55,362
will make good soldiers.

288
00:15:55,364 --> 00:15:57,898
One of the main difficulties

289
00:15:57,900 --> 00:15:59,967
African American soldiers
faced during that war

290
00:15:59,969 --> 00:16:02,370
was just getting
to the battlefield.

291
00:16:02,372 --> 00:16:04,571
The policy of the
army in general

292
00:16:04,573 --> 00:16:07,574
seems to be one of
"free a white man to fight."

293
00:16:07,576 --> 00:16:09,510
And they're oftentimes used

294
00:16:09,512 --> 00:16:11,579
as labor battalions
or Garrison troops

295
00:16:11,581 --> 00:16:14,048
or in the rear to
free up white units

296
00:16:14,050 --> 00:16:17,084
to go to the front.

297
00:16:17,086 --> 00:16:19,854
Narrator: Aside from a few
small skirmishes with the enemy,

298
00:16:19,856 --> 00:16:22,623
the 13th had never
seen a real battle.

299
00:16:24,727 --> 00:16:26,694
But that's about to change.

300
00:16:28,998 --> 00:16:32,265
[ Chuckles ]

301
00:16:32,267 --> 00:16:34,334
Well, spit it out.

302
00:16:34,336 --> 00:16:36,269
We moving out in 5 minutes.

303
00:16:36,271 --> 00:16:37,805
Spread the word.

304
00:16:37,807 --> 00:16:39,206
So where we going this time?

305
00:16:39,208 --> 00:16:41,074
Some emergency road need built?

306
00:16:41,076 --> 00:16:42,743
Supply need guarding?

307
00:16:42,745 --> 00:16:44,745
Heard it from the captain.

308
00:16:44,747 --> 00:16:46,480
We're going to the line.

309
00:16:46,482 --> 00:16:49,417
♪♪

310
00:16:53,556 --> 00:16:55,823
All right, boys. On your feet.

311
00:16:55,825 --> 00:16:57,358
Let's go.

312
00:16:57,360 --> 00:16:59,226
Allison: The African
American soldiers at Nashville

313
00:16:59,228 --> 00:17:02,029
didn't want the white man
to give them their freedom.

314
00:17:02,031 --> 00:17:05,098
They wanted to take
an active role in fighting

315
00:17:05,100 --> 00:17:06,300
to prove themselves,

316
00:17:06,302 --> 00:17:08,635
as one of them
said, worthy citizens,

317
00:17:08,637 --> 00:17:11,438
worthy of full inclusion
under the constitution

318
00:17:11,440 --> 00:17:13,240
as citizens after
the war was over.

319
00:17:13,242 --> 00:17:15,375
So it was vitally important

320
00:17:15,377 --> 00:17:17,110
that they take an active role

321
00:17:17,112 --> 00:17:19,380
in emancipating themselves.

322
00:17:23,786 --> 00:17:26,253
Narrator: For the first time
in the regiment's history,

323
00:17:26,255 --> 00:17:27,787
they're finally
getting their chance

324
00:17:27,789 --> 00:17:29,623
to fight in a major battle.

325
00:17:32,394 --> 00:17:34,861
But as they make their
way toward the line,

326
00:17:34,863 --> 00:17:37,598
they run into rebel skirmishers
left to guard the approaches

327
00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:39,533
to the new confederate position.

328
00:17:39,535 --> 00:17:41,035
Man: Here they come.

329
00:17:48,010 --> 00:17:50,210
Wait. Wait.

330
00:17:50,212 --> 00:17:51,645
Not yet.

331
00:18:01,424 --> 00:18:03,823
Damn it.

332
00:18:03,825 --> 00:18:05,092
The confederacy is furious,

333
00:18:05,094 --> 00:18:07,428
because these are their slaves.

334
00:18:07,430 --> 00:18:08,895
And they're attacking them.

335
00:18:08,897 --> 00:18:12,766
That creates a
great deal of anger.

336
00:18:12,768 --> 00:18:16,170
Allison: These are men who grew
up with the institution of slavery.

337
00:18:16,172 --> 00:18:19,306
And the idea of armed
African American men

338
00:18:19,308 --> 00:18:21,108
fighting for their freedom

339
00:18:21,110 --> 00:18:23,978
has been drilled into
their heads as a threat.

340
00:18:23,980 --> 00:18:27,348
I think it's fair to say that
there's raw hatred there.

341
00:18:32,321 --> 00:18:33,787
[ Whispering ] You watch.

342
00:18:33,789 --> 00:18:37,158
First volley, they bolt.

343
00:18:43,065 --> 00:18:44,732
[ Gunfire ]

344
00:18:44,734 --> 00:18:47,601
Get down!

345
00:18:47,603 --> 00:18:49,336
[ Men shouting indistinctly ]

346
00:18:49,338 --> 00:18:51,705
[ Gunfire continues ]

347
00:19:01,150 --> 00:19:04,685
Told you they'd run.

348
00:19:04,687 --> 00:19:07,421
See anything?

349
00:19:07,423 --> 00:19:10,624
They're up there on that Ridge.

350
00:19:10,626 --> 00:19:12,159
All right, 13th! On your feet!

351
00:19:12,161 --> 00:19:13,494
Let's go!

352
00:19:20,035 --> 00:19:21,602
They ain't running.

353
00:19:27,643 --> 00:19:29,176
That's a lot.

354
00:19:29,178 --> 00:19:32,580
We got to pull out.

355
00:19:32,582 --> 00:19:34,915
Narrator: Faced with
the entire 13th regiment,

356
00:19:34,917 --> 00:19:36,584
the rebel skirmishers
have no choice

357
00:19:36,586 --> 00:19:38,785
but to race back to the
main confederate line

358
00:19:38,787 --> 00:19:40,754
atop peach orchard hill.

359
00:20:00,909 --> 00:20:02,543
After hours of work,

360
00:20:02,545 --> 00:20:04,712
they've turned
it into a fortress.

361
00:20:07,015 --> 00:20:09,083
Allison: The confederates
at peach orchard hill

362
00:20:09,085 --> 00:20:12,019
are at the top of their
game as far as it goes.

363
00:20:12,021 --> 00:20:15,422
They coming, boys. Get ready.

364
00:20:15,424 --> 00:20:18,558
They've got good positions.
They've got good weaponry.

365
00:20:18,560 --> 00:20:19,827
They're experienced soldiers.

366
00:20:19,829 --> 00:20:21,895
I don't think there was
a doubt in their mind

367
00:20:21,897 --> 00:20:24,364
that they could hold that
position until judgement day,

368
00:20:24,366 --> 00:20:26,833
if it came down to that.

369
00:20:26,835 --> 00:20:28,435
Narrator: The rebel
position anchors

370
00:20:28,437 --> 00:20:30,170
the right flank of
the confederate line

371
00:20:30,172 --> 00:20:32,706
that's been established
south of Nashville.

372
00:20:36,579 --> 00:20:38,045
Realizing its strength,

373
00:20:38,047 --> 00:20:39,380
union commanders create

374
00:20:39,382 --> 00:20:41,981
a plan to destroy it.

375
00:20:41,983 --> 00:20:43,450
The men of the 13th learn

376
00:20:43,452 --> 00:20:47,588
they've been given the
day's most daunting task.

377
00:20:47,590 --> 00:20:49,323
Alongside other regiments,

378
00:20:49,325 --> 00:20:50,791
they will launch
a frontal assault

379
00:20:50,793 --> 00:20:53,093
on the heights of
peach orchard hill.

380
00:21:01,536 --> 00:21:03,937
Narrator: Rebel forces have
been sent on a daring mission

381
00:21:03,939 --> 00:21:05,272
to seize Nashville

382
00:21:05,274 --> 00:21:08,475
and end the union's
crippling invasion of the south.

383
00:21:08,477 --> 00:21:10,677
♪♪

384
00:21:10,679 --> 00:21:12,479
What they're trying
to do desperately

385
00:21:12,481 --> 00:21:15,549
is to stop that invasion.

386
00:21:15,551 --> 00:21:17,685
Jones: If you're going
to go and take territory

387
00:21:17,687 --> 00:21:20,687
in the deep south, you
need a supply depot.

388
00:21:20,689 --> 00:21:24,691
And Nashville is
that supply depot.

389
00:21:24,693 --> 00:21:27,761
Narrator: After clashing with
union troops the previous day,

390
00:21:27,763 --> 00:21:29,229
the rebels have fallen back

391
00:21:29,231 --> 00:21:31,265
to the heights of
peach orchard hill.

392
00:21:33,769 --> 00:21:35,636
It was a perfect position

393
00:21:35,638 --> 00:21:37,905
they had a
perfect field of fire.

394
00:21:40,443 --> 00:21:42,976
Narrator: Members
of the 13th usct

395
00:21:42,978 --> 00:21:44,911
have orders to join
in a union assault

396
00:21:44,913 --> 00:21:48,248
to storm the position.

397
00:21:48,250 --> 00:21:51,451
Allison: The African American
units don't know what to expect.

398
00:21:51,453 --> 00:21:55,122
They've never fought a
full-on field engagement.

399
00:21:55,124 --> 00:21:56,657
They don't have
a lot of experience

400
00:21:56,659 --> 00:21:58,525
as maneuvering as a body,

401
00:21:58,527 --> 00:22:01,729
as fighting as a part of
a combined arms army.

402
00:22:01,731 --> 00:22:03,930
So as far as a field unit goes,

403
00:22:03,932 --> 00:22:06,233
the 13th is a
fairly green outfit.

404
00:22:09,472 --> 00:22:12,005
So there was some
expectation that at the first shot,

405
00:22:12,007 --> 00:22:16,142
they were gonna drop
their muskets, turn, and run.

406
00:22:16,144 --> 00:22:19,612
Narrator: Realizing the
strength of the rebel position,

407
00:22:19,614 --> 00:22:23,150
the union takes steps
to raise their odds.

408
00:22:23,152 --> 00:22:25,619
Incoming!

409
00:22:25,621 --> 00:22:27,888
[ Explosions ]

410
00:22:36,432 --> 00:22:38,231
There were four
federal batteries

411
00:22:38,233 --> 00:22:40,567
pounding peach orchard hill.

412
00:22:43,172 --> 00:22:45,706
The guns are trying to
silence the confederate guns.

413
00:22:45,708 --> 00:22:47,508
They're trying to knock
down their defenses,

414
00:22:47,510 --> 00:22:50,844
soften them up, kill and
wound as many as they can.

415
00:22:57,720 --> 00:22:59,119
Narrator: For two
terrifying hours,

416
00:22:59,121 --> 00:23:01,755
the rebels are hammered
by yankee guns.

417
00:23:08,664 --> 00:23:12,733
Steady, men. Steady.

418
00:23:12,735 --> 00:23:14,535
Narrator: The barrage
tests the nerves

419
00:23:14,537 --> 00:23:17,003
of even the toughest rebels.

420
00:23:17,005 --> 00:23:19,706
The psychological
effect was devastating.

421
00:23:33,355 --> 00:23:35,889
Believing the line
has been smashed,

422
00:23:35,891 --> 00:23:37,157
union troops make their way

423
00:23:37,159 --> 00:23:39,626
to the base of
peach orchard hill.

424
00:23:59,849 --> 00:24:02,382
[ Man grunting ]

425
00:24:06,322 --> 00:24:08,121
Allison: A union
observer watching the hill

426
00:24:08,123 --> 00:24:10,056
said something to the effect of,

427
00:24:10,058 --> 00:24:11,591
"it was truly
beautiful to watch.

428
00:24:11,593 --> 00:24:12,993
Not a shell missed."

429
00:24:12,995 --> 00:24:14,695
He was quite wrong.

430
00:24:20,068 --> 00:24:22,736
Narrator: Many of the
shells hit behind the trenches,

431
00:24:22,738 --> 00:24:26,406
leaving the confederate
defenders largely untouched.

432
00:24:30,612 --> 00:24:33,180
[ Battle cries in distance ]

433
00:24:41,489 --> 00:24:44,625
Leading the assault are some
of the union's toughest troops.

434
00:24:46,628 --> 00:24:48,295
The white troops are veterans.

435
00:24:48,297 --> 00:24:49,896
They've done this before.

436
00:24:49,898 --> 00:24:52,566
They've got just as much
experience as the confederates.

437
00:24:52,568 --> 00:24:55,035
Steady yourselves!

438
00:24:57,706 --> 00:25:00,307
Everybody pick a target!

439
00:25:00,309 --> 00:25:02,442
[ Battle cries continue ]

440
00:25:02,444 --> 00:25:06,847
Ready, aim, fire!

441
00:25:06,849 --> 00:25:09,316
[ Gunfire ]

442
00:25:29,071 --> 00:25:30,904
[ Explosions in distance ]

443
00:25:36,745 --> 00:25:39,212
Narrator: As the 13th
nears the base of the hill,

444
00:25:39,214 --> 00:25:42,583
they realize the rebel line
has survived the barrage.

445
00:26:05,440 --> 00:26:07,507
Waiting for the order to attack,

446
00:26:07,509 --> 00:26:10,911
the 13th gets their
first look at a real battle.

447
00:26:14,516 --> 00:26:17,517
The sights and
sounds of the battle

448
00:26:17,519 --> 00:26:19,086
can frighten anyone.

449
00:26:21,890 --> 00:26:25,959
They're listening to this
Cannon fire and musket fire.

450
00:26:28,597 --> 00:26:31,798
They hear groans
of the wounded men.

451
00:26:31,800 --> 00:26:33,967
[ Men groaning ]

452
00:26:36,605 --> 00:26:38,138
470 men go down

453
00:26:38,140 --> 00:26:40,007
in about 10 minutes of firing.

454
00:26:43,211 --> 00:26:45,011
They understand very clearly

455
00:26:45,013 --> 00:26:47,247
that they're up against
a formidable foe.

456
00:27:07,169 --> 00:27:09,102
I don't think realistically
you could say

457
00:27:09,104 --> 00:27:11,104
there was much chance of success

458
00:27:11,106 --> 00:27:13,974
against an unbroken
confederate line on that hill.

459
00:27:20,916 --> 00:27:23,984
They had several hundred
yards of open ground to cover.

460
00:27:23,986 --> 00:27:26,086
And they had to be
nervous about that.

461
00:27:29,057 --> 00:27:30,990
Narrator: Despite
the impossible odds,

462
00:27:30,992 --> 00:27:33,660
men like Moses slaughter
and James Wilson

463
00:27:33,662 --> 00:27:35,829
are determined to do their duty.

464
00:27:39,601 --> 00:27:44,004
Jones: As they're preparing
to assault this fortified position,

465
00:27:44,006 --> 00:27:46,473
these men understand

466
00:27:46,475 --> 00:27:49,675
that they are fighting

467
00:27:49,677 --> 00:27:53,613
for the liberation
of an entire nation.

468
00:27:53,615 --> 00:27:57,083
The iron-bar chains of slavery

469
00:27:57,085 --> 00:28:01,488
are not gotten rid of by the
benevolence of someone.

470
00:28:01,490 --> 00:28:03,823
It's by their bravery
on the battlefield.

471
00:28:03,825 --> 00:28:06,793
♪♪

472
00:28:12,301 --> 00:28:14,901
Arms at the ready!

473
00:28:14,903 --> 00:28:17,671
Still think chasing off
skirmishers is a big deal?

474
00:28:21,643 --> 00:28:23,442
Forward, men!

475
00:28:23,444 --> 00:28:25,178
[ Battle cries ]

476
00:28:30,853 --> 00:28:34,054
Narrator: Aware that they are
probably marching to their deaths,

477
00:28:34,056 --> 00:28:36,523
Wilson, slaughter,
and the men of the 13th

478
00:28:36,525 --> 00:28:39,159
move out to meet their fate.

479
00:28:47,503 --> 00:28:50,570
Narrator: The American
civil war is almost 4 years old.

480
00:28:50,572 --> 00:28:53,840
♪♪

481
00:28:53,842 --> 00:28:56,576
Near the outskirts of
Nashville, the critical battle

482
00:28:56,578 --> 00:28:59,446
to decide the fate of the
union's invasion of the south

483
00:28:59,448 --> 00:29:00,914
rages on.

484
00:29:04,452 --> 00:29:08,254
After an earlier attack by
veteran union troops failed,

485
00:29:08,256 --> 00:29:10,390
a regiment of
untested former slaves

486
00:29:10,392 --> 00:29:12,392
has been ordered
to drive rebel forces

487
00:29:12,394 --> 00:29:14,294
from a hilltop stronghold.

488
00:29:19,801 --> 00:29:21,735
Black bastards.

489
00:29:24,139 --> 00:29:26,005
Desperate to prove their worth,

490
00:29:26,007 --> 00:29:28,308
they now move toward
enraged rebel soldiers

491
00:29:28,310 --> 00:29:30,276
determined to cut them down.

492
00:29:30,278 --> 00:29:33,280
♪♪

493
00:29:35,350 --> 00:29:37,884
They're coming
right this way, boys!

494
00:29:37,886 --> 00:29:39,753
Let 'em get a little closer!

495
00:29:44,092 --> 00:29:46,026
How come they ain't shooting?

496
00:29:48,964 --> 00:29:50,363
I don't know.

497
00:29:53,635 --> 00:29:56,502
There was a tacit understanding
among the confederates.

498
00:29:56,504 --> 00:29:57,571
"Don't fire a gun

499
00:29:57,573 --> 00:30:01,741
until we have them
fully within our sights."

500
00:30:01,743 --> 00:30:05,445
So they let them come on
until every bullet would hit.

501
00:30:10,051 --> 00:30:12,051
Easy, boys!

502
00:30:12,053 --> 00:30:14,654
Don't waste a bullet!

503
00:30:14,656 --> 00:30:17,591
That gives you an idea of
the determination and savagery

504
00:30:17,593 --> 00:30:21,861
that they felt facing former
slaves on a battlefield.

505
00:30:21,863 --> 00:30:25,198
Man: Halt!

506
00:30:25,200 --> 00:30:28,068
Ready!

507
00:30:28,070 --> 00:30:30,670
Aim!

508
00:30:30,672 --> 00:30:31,872
Fire!

509
00:30:31,874 --> 00:30:33,373
[ Gunshots ]

510
00:30:40,415 --> 00:30:46,019
Man #2: Put that gun down
before y'all shoot yourself!

511
00:30:46,021 --> 00:30:49,623
Get up here and
make yourself useful!

512
00:30:49,625 --> 00:30:51,223
I need a shine!

513
00:30:51,225 --> 00:30:53,760
My boots is dirty! [ Laughter ]

514
00:30:53,762 --> 00:30:55,629
They're yelling,
basically trying to say,

515
00:30:55,631 --> 00:30:57,763
"you work for us.
You're our underling.

516
00:30:57,765 --> 00:31:00,433
Why don't you come and
perform this service for me?

517
00:31:00,435 --> 00:31:04,837
This is what your
position in society is."

518
00:31:04,839 --> 00:31:07,506
And my drawers need washing!

519
00:31:07,508 --> 00:31:09,309
"You're not a soldier.

520
00:31:09,311 --> 00:31:11,844
You're a servant.
You're a slave."

521
00:31:11,846 --> 00:31:15,247
You can do that, right, boy?

522
00:31:15,249 --> 00:31:19,853
Come up here and
wash my damn drawers!

523
00:31:19,855 --> 00:31:22,589
So it's to put
them in their place,

524
00:31:22,591 --> 00:31:25,191
take them out of their game.

525
00:31:25,193 --> 00:31:28,128
♪♪

526
00:31:35,070 --> 00:31:36,436
Doesn't work.

527
00:31:46,347 --> 00:31:48,548
Ready!

528
00:31:48,550 --> 00:31:49,815
Fire!

529
00:31:49,817 --> 00:31:52,085
[ Gunfire ]

530
00:31:52,087 --> 00:31:55,155
[ Battle cries ]

531
00:32:04,766 --> 00:32:07,100
Narrator: Despite the
strength of the rebel position,

532
00:32:07,102 --> 00:32:09,835
slaughter, Wilson,
and the men of the 13th

533
00:32:09,837 --> 00:32:11,471
surge toward the summit.

534
00:32:14,643 --> 00:32:16,910
And they were being
hit by small arms fire,

535
00:32:16,912 --> 00:32:19,179
as well as shrapnel.

536
00:32:19,181 --> 00:32:20,980
You know, shot to shreds,

537
00:32:20,982 --> 00:32:22,649
just shot to pieces.

538
00:32:22,651 --> 00:32:25,318
[ Battle cries continue ]

539
00:32:39,801 --> 00:32:42,201
Narrator: As their
flag-bearer is gunned down

540
00:32:42,203 --> 00:32:46,139
and the attack starts to
stall, Wilson takes action.

541
00:32:50,879 --> 00:32:53,012
James Wilson picks up that flag

542
00:32:53,014 --> 00:32:56,616
and continues to fight.

543
00:32:56,618 --> 00:33:00,353
He knew that seeing
the flag being waved,

544
00:33:00,355 --> 00:33:02,288
that the soldiers would regroup.

545
00:33:02,290 --> 00:33:03,690
They would charge to that flag.

546
00:33:03,692 --> 00:33:05,692
And they would
fight for that flag.

547
00:33:05,694 --> 00:33:08,895
[ Gunfire continues ]

548
00:33:08,897 --> 00:33:11,263
Jones: Wilson knows
that when he goes

549
00:33:11,265 --> 00:33:12,832
and retrieves those colors,

550
00:33:12,834 --> 00:33:14,901
he is a priority target.

551
00:33:14,903 --> 00:33:16,903
And the odds of him being killed

552
00:33:16,905 --> 00:33:19,172
have increased exponentially.

553
00:33:19,174 --> 00:33:22,142
♪♪

554
00:33:28,049 --> 00:33:32,785
Wilson is clearly
setting an example.

555
00:33:32,787 --> 00:33:35,321
This is the kind of
courage necessary

556
00:33:35,323 --> 00:33:37,991
for us to come out
of this victorious.

557
00:33:42,464 --> 00:33:46,799
Without this selfless sacrifice,

558
00:33:46,801 --> 00:33:50,937
we cannot win as a unit.

559
00:33:53,407 --> 00:33:58,011
To be victorious, we
must make sacrifices.

560
00:34:07,955 --> 00:34:10,490
Narrator: Inspired by his
incredible act of courage,

561
00:34:10,492 --> 00:34:12,224
the 13th fight on.

562
00:34:12,226 --> 00:34:14,527
[ Battle cries ]

563
00:34:30,111 --> 00:34:31,577
Allison: For
inexperienced troops,

564
00:34:31,579 --> 00:34:34,581
it's just a remarkable story
of perseverance under fire.

565
00:34:37,718 --> 00:34:39,585
They had made
it to the parapets.

566
00:34:39,587 --> 00:34:42,788
Now, that was a big event.

567
00:34:42,790 --> 00:34:45,925
Allison: They pressed up
within feet of the confederate line.

568
00:34:45,927 --> 00:34:48,428
They must have been right
in the confederates faces.

569
00:34:50,932 --> 00:34:52,932
Narrator: But despite
their incredible effort,

570
00:34:52,934 --> 00:34:54,634
they can't crack the line.

571
00:34:58,072 --> 00:35:01,241
And what's left of
the 13th must retreat.

572
00:35:07,348 --> 00:35:09,148
Almost 40% of the regiment

573
00:35:09,150 --> 00:35:12,552
has been killed or
wounded during the attack.

574
00:35:12,554 --> 00:35:14,687
Turned out to be the
bloodiest single event

575
00:35:14,689 --> 00:35:18,024
of the whole two-day
battle of Nashville.

576
00:35:18,026 --> 00:35:20,025
Narrator: The initial
charge has failed.

577
00:35:20,027 --> 00:35:23,263
But it has massive consequences
on the battle's outcome.

578
00:35:25,233 --> 00:35:29,769
Believing the 13th came
close to taking the position,

579
00:35:29,771 --> 00:35:32,037
rebel general hood
sends more reinforcements

580
00:35:32,039 --> 00:35:35,175
from his left flank to the
top of peach orchard hill.

581
00:35:38,846 --> 00:35:41,513
Hood, a mile away at his
headquarters at Leland,

582
00:35:41,515 --> 00:35:43,249
looking at this through
his field glasses,

583
00:35:43,251 --> 00:35:44,584
sent more reinforcements over,

584
00:35:44,586 --> 00:35:46,319
as he'd been doing all day,

585
00:35:46,321 --> 00:35:49,922
further weakening the
weakest part of his line.

586
00:35:49,924 --> 00:35:52,458
Narrator: As reinforcements
head toward peach orchard hill,

587
00:35:52,460 --> 00:35:54,127
the union decides to strike

588
00:35:54,129 --> 00:35:56,329
at the left flank
of the rebel line.

589
00:36:03,204 --> 00:36:04,937
As that assault begins,

590
00:36:04,939 --> 00:36:08,074
alongside other usct
and regular regiments,

591
00:36:08,076 --> 00:36:09,542
members of the 13th prepare

592
00:36:09,544 --> 00:36:13,879
to attack peach orchard
hill one more time.

593
00:36:13,881 --> 00:36:16,215
Allison: What seems to have
formed at the base of the hill

594
00:36:16,217 --> 00:36:18,418
was kind of a hodgepodge
of whoever was there,

595
00:36:18,420 --> 00:36:21,553
men from the 100th,
the 13th, the 44th usct,

596
00:36:21,555 --> 00:36:24,423
all gathering together in
a kind of an ad hoc unit.

597
00:36:24,425 --> 00:36:26,025
And witnesses that
were on the ground

598
00:36:26,027 --> 00:36:28,027
said they went right
alongside the white troops

599
00:36:28,029 --> 00:36:29,829
and joined them in the
attack back up the hill

600
00:36:29,831 --> 00:36:32,098
and took the prominent
role in that attack.

601
00:36:35,370 --> 00:36:37,836
After you've been repulsed,

602
00:36:37,838 --> 00:36:40,240
you've lost comrades.

603
00:36:40,242 --> 00:36:44,910
You know the bodies
laying on the battlefield.

604
00:36:44,912 --> 00:36:47,780
And you're told you're
gonna have to go back

605
00:36:47,782 --> 00:36:52,251
into the mouth of the tiger.

606
00:36:52,253 --> 00:36:54,386
There's fear.

607
00:36:54,388 --> 00:36:57,523
But Moses slaughter and
his fellow soldiers know

608
00:36:57,525 --> 00:37:02,395
that they're fighting for
more than taking the hill.

609
00:37:02,397 --> 00:37:06,532
They're fighting
to liberate a nation.

610
00:37:06,534 --> 00:37:08,000
Narrator: Despite the odds,

611
00:37:08,002 --> 00:37:09,669
once more, they
storm up the hill

612
00:37:09,671 --> 00:37:11,604
toward almost certain death.

613
00:37:11,606 --> 00:37:13,806
[ Battle cries ]

614
00:37:23,785 --> 00:37:25,718
Narrator: Rebel troops
sent to seize Nashville,

615
00:37:25,720 --> 00:37:28,187
the key to union
operations in the deep south,

616
00:37:28,189 --> 00:37:31,123
cling to the formidable
heights of peach orchard hill.

617
00:37:31,125 --> 00:37:35,194
♪♪

618
00:37:35,196 --> 00:37:36,796
Desperate to
crack the rebel line

619
00:37:36,798 --> 00:37:38,731
and win the battle of Nashville,

620
00:37:38,733 --> 00:37:41,267
the union has launched
one final assault.

621
00:37:41,269 --> 00:37:45,070
[ Battle cries ]

622
00:37:45,072 --> 00:37:48,007
They head back up the hill

623
00:37:48,009 --> 00:37:50,777
believing that they
can win the day.

624
00:37:53,948 --> 00:37:56,482
Fire! Fire!

625
00:38:05,026 --> 00:38:06,559
Reload!

626
00:38:08,496 --> 00:38:11,030
Keep up your fire, men!

627
00:38:11,032 --> 00:38:13,432
Hold them back!

628
00:38:13,434 --> 00:38:16,169
Narrator: The rebels pound
them with everything they've got.

629
00:38:18,640 --> 00:38:20,239
Man: Fire!

630
00:38:23,778 --> 00:38:25,978
Narrator: As the federal
troops near the summit,

631
00:38:25,980 --> 00:38:28,114
something incredible happens.

632
00:38:30,585 --> 00:38:33,519
To the west, a federal
attack at shy's hill

633
00:38:33,521 --> 00:38:36,389
cracks the left flank
of the rebel line,

634
00:38:36,391 --> 00:38:39,292
causing a catastrophic
confederate collapse.

635
00:38:44,865 --> 00:38:46,733
Hold the line!

636
00:38:50,138 --> 00:38:52,305
Get back to your positions, men!

637
00:38:55,810 --> 00:38:57,677
Do not retreat!

638
00:39:21,035 --> 00:39:24,003
♪♪

639
00:39:40,120 --> 00:39:43,322
This has got to be
one of the greatest joys

640
00:39:43,324 --> 00:39:44,656
that you could experience.

641
00:39:44,658 --> 00:39:46,992
You went immediately from danger

642
00:39:46,994 --> 00:39:48,594
and, "I'm probably
going to die,"

643
00:39:48,596 --> 00:39:52,064
to, "hell, we've won.

644
00:39:52,066 --> 00:39:54,066
We... we have the hill."

645
00:39:54,068 --> 00:39:56,536
[ Battle cries,
gunfire continue ]

646
00:40:10,485 --> 00:40:12,351
Allison: The price
they paid in blood

647
00:40:12,353 --> 00:40:15,188
bought them the respect
of their fellow soldiers.

648
00:40:18,759 --> 00:40:21,027
It put to rest a lot of myths

649
00:40:21,029 --> 00:40:23,963
about how black
soldiers wouldn't fight.

650
00:40:23,965 --> 00:40:26,365
And I think it's a story
that speaks to everybody

651
00:40:26,367 --> 00:40:29,101
just on a human
level about dignity,

652
00:40:29,103 --> 00:40:31,537
about what it is
to be respected.

653
00:40:44,452 --> 00:40:47,987
They demonstrated that they were

654
00:40:47,989 --> 00:40:51,523
indeed American soldiers.

655
00:40:51,525 --> 00:40:55,795
And those who fought with
them understood that, as well.

656
00:40:55,797 --> 00:40:58,831
♪♪

657
00:41:11,679 --> 00:41:13,212
Narrator: The
bravery of the 13th

658
00:41:13,214 --> 00:41:16,048
helped secure one of the
great victories of the war.

659
00:41:20,621 --> 00:41:22,087
Cartright: Many
historians believe

660
00:41:22,089 --> 00:41:25,091
it was one of the most
decisive battles of the civil war.

661
00:41:25,093 --> 00:41:28,760
5,600 prisoners,
about 4,000 casualties,

662
00:41:28,762 --> 00:41:30,696
62 cannons captured,

663
00:41:30,698 --> 00:41:33,633
and, in effect,
virtually destroying

664
00:41:33,635 --> 00:41:36,102
the confederate
army of Tennessee.

665
00:41:36,104 --> 00:41:38,236
And by taking it
out of the equation,

666
00:41:38,238 --> 00:41:39,705
the union army
doesn't have to worry

667
00:41:39,707 --> 00:41:41,106
about the west any longer.

668
00:41:41,108 --> 00:41:42,541
They can concentrate
on the final

669
00:41:42,543 --> 00:41:43,976
and ultimate objective,

670
00:41:43,978 --> 00:41:45,311
which is to destroy Lee,

671
00:41:45,313 --> 00:41:47,246
to take Richmond,
and end the war.

672
00:41:47,248 --> 00:41:49,315
And that sets the stage for it.

673
00:41:58,660 --> 00:42:01,260
Narrator: Word of the
victory soon spreads.

674
00:42:06,266 --> 00:42:07,733
The actions of Moses slaughter

675
00:42:07,735 --> 00:42:09,201
and the men of the usct

676
00:42:09,203 --> 00:42:11,804
give hope to many
that at long last,

677
00:42:11,806 --> 00:42:14,139
millions of African Americans

678
00:42:14,141 --> 00:42:16,042
will soon be free.

679
00:42:31,826 --> 00:42:34,360
Jones: These men are liberators.

680
00:42:34,362 --> 00:42:36,896
Now their children

681
00:42:36,898 --> 00:42:39,031
and those they
free can look back

682
00:42:39,033 --> 00:42:42,635
and say, "these...
These are our heroes."

683
00:42:42,637 --> 00:42:47,506
♪♪

684
00:42:47,508 --> 00:42:49,341
Narrator: James Wilson
dies of his wounds

685
00:42:49,343 --> 00:42:51,510
on the summit of
peach orchard hill.

686
00:42:55,717 --> 00:42:59,452
He is one of the 220
members of the 13th usct

687
00:42:59,454 --> 00:43:01,587
who gave up
their lives that day.

688
00:43:05,993 --> 00:43:10,663
Moses slaughter continues
to fight for the union army.

689
00:43:10,665 --> 00:43:12,798
When the war finally ends,

690
00:43:12,800 --> 00:43:15,001
he settles in
evansville, Indiana,

691
00:43:15,003 --> 00:43:18,003
a free man.

692
00:43:18,005 --> 00:43:22,141
He dies in 1938 in
a house he owned

693
00:43:22,143 --> 00:43:24,677
surrounded by his loving family.