When the Irish start to retreat from the heavy firing at the defensive wall on Mary's Heights, what does the defending Irish colonel call out while saluting and waving his hat at the retreating infantry? It's not a catcall, it sounds as though he was admiring their valour. But what was the call?- the rest of the front line took it up.
The Calla Lilies are in bloom again.
It was the rebel yell.
Okay, well... filibuster.
Thank you 518,
I heard what was thought the rebel "yell" on utube some while ago,but did not recognise it in the film.
I am an "elderly" English female with a great interest in the American Civil War, so I am willing to learn anything about it.
I will watch that section again.
I managed to download the extended version of this film, it will be interesting to see how it differs from the theatrical version.I have the extended version of "Gettysburg" one of my favourite films.
Thank you again,
Pat
The Calla Lilies are in bloom again.
It's nice to see someone across the pond who enjoys American Civil War history. The Irish Brigade scene is probably my favorite part in this whole movie...out of the 4.5 hours that make up the extended director's cut!
I highly recommend checking out "The Civil War", a 9-part miniseries directed by Ken Burns. It's widely considered the best documentary about the war.
Okay, well... filibuster.
I agree with you re your favourite scene from the film. Also it is mine, it is tragically sad though.
I have got and watched Ken Burns miniseries. Very good.
I have another 4 parter copied from the Discovery Channel.I have several films of the war inc. Shenandoah,the General, The Raid, Glory ,( fantastic film ) Cold Mountain , Blue and Grey and Birth of a Nation . One or two of my American FaceBook friends couldn't understand why I have this last in my collection. But it was a part of history whether you agree with it or not. I also have stuff (a lot) on the Holocaust and The rise of the Nazi Party , but it doesn't make me a Nazi, only a person who has a great interest in all kinds of history.
Pat
The Calla Lilies are in bloom again.
That wasn't the "rebel yell" which was used to incite valor in your troops and fear in your enemy. I believe it was a celtic call celebrating their valor.
My favorite line from the film comes shortly after when General Pickett states that he can't understand how mortal man could stand into the face of such destruction; with our benefit of history knowing he will find out on July 3, 1863.
Whenim64 if you get a chance to cross the pond it sounds like you would enjoy a visit to Virginia. There is a cornucopia of Civil War sites and museums.
That wasn't the "rebel yell"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oldsalt,
I'm glad I had another reply to my OP. Something was telling me that there was sympathy from the defenders to the Irish Brigade, not a derisive cat-call.The Irish, witness their history, had to put up with a lot from us English so , even if they were on opposite sides of the war, there would be empathy between them.
In the film Gettysburg, the dialogue between Lee and Longstreet tells us why they must engage in battle , even though Union troops held the heights, but surely, Lee would have known underneath,it would have been a near impossibility to win that battle, going over 1/2 mile, on a upward slope , over fences and a corn field.
The reason why Confederate troops won at Mary's Heights was because of the slope they were defending.
Wellington at Waterloo had the best defence, a hidden slope behind the hill, the allied troops were defending.
In WW1 the Germans normally dug-in and made their trenches on ridges, making it VERY difficult for the allies to winkle them out.
I think history tells us that you dig in and the higher up the better.
Sorry I am going on a bit, just love history.
I would love to visit Virginia [ I have a Facebook friend who lives there] but I think I am more interested in American History than she is !
Three years ago I "did" the Somme and WW1 battle fields. It actually is quite heart breaking.
Again, thank you for your reply.
Pat
Time flies like the wind:
Fruit flies like bananas.
Pickett himself hid behind a barn during "Picketts Charge" last day gettysburg,the term is basically applied to his brigade.
shareWhat they are chanting is actually "Abú" which sounds like a haroo in English. It means "forever" and is a way of showing support or appreciation for something in Irish. Historically it is said that the Confederate Commanders at the wall at Fredricksburg were impressed with the way the Union Irish took the field - so the cheer makes perfect sense.
:)
The rebel yell is a more high pitched "yee" sound, it wasn't that. What they're saying sounds like "harroo", God knows what that means, I'm assuming seeing as they focused on both units being Irish in that section of the film it has some sort of old Irish connection, possibly a war cry or some word in Gaelic. I'd been wondering the significance of it myself actually.
shareWe've seen the wedding and the wake, the patron and the fair.
Lithe young frames and the dear old games in the kindly Irish air.
And the loud "Harroo" we have heard it too, and the thundering "Clear the way!"
Here's gay old ireland, dear old Ireland, Ireland boys hooray.
Ireland boys hooray, oh Ireland boys hooray
We'll toast old Ireland, Dear old Ireland, Ireland boys hooray.
In Pennsylvanian woods we've met and may never see again,
The dear old land where our hearts are set and our first fond hopes remain.
But come, fill up another cup, and with every sup we'll say,
We'll toast old Ireland, Dear old Ireland, Ireland boys hooray.
Ireland boys hooray, oh Ireland boys hooray
We'll toast old Ireland, Dear old Ireland, Ireland boys hooray.
from "Dear ould Ireland",
Well boys, we are getting nearer to what it all means.
Pat
Interesting that "Dear ould Ireland" fits the tune "The Bonnie Blue Flag" (also featured in this film) almost perfectly.
Whenim, you might also enjoy "The Horse Soldiers", a '60s movie based on the Grierson cavalry raid through Mississippi fought at the time of the Vicksburg Campaign. The History Channel also has a few nice Civil War sets, "Civil War Diaries" being one of the better sets available.
Do you hate me because I have no avatar? Do you even give a damn?