The heart-wrenching story of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment during the United States Civil War is depicted in 'Glory'. This unit was organized from all African American volunteers by Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick) and was also commanded by him. Though the officers of the unit are all white men such as Shaw and Cabot Forbes (Cary Elwes) the rest of the unit are African Americans, many of which are escaped slaves. Some of the men from the unit are Sgt. Major John Rawlins (Morgan Freeman), Private Trip (Denzel Washington), and Corporal Thomas Searles (Andre Braugher). The story of these men as they are transformed into a true unit unified with an intent to fight for what they feel is right is the majority of the story and therein lies their 'Glory', as they prepare to spearhead a major Union attack on Fort Wagner where they incurred heavy losses but received great acclaim for their bravery.