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The crew set up for the last major scene of the day. The Yankees were to leave their position and charge part way out into the field and then stop. But as the crew continued to film the same scene over and over again, the Yankees came all the way up to our fence, especially the cavalry. None of them ever died as they charged our line. They were belligerent, yelling at us to run or die like dogs. They were trying to demoralize us; but only made us angry. As they charged us again and again, we stood our ground. I wondered what I would have done in a real battle of that kind. Would I stand or run? We were sick and tired of the Yankees’ actions—eating all the pies, drinking all the coffee, the snide remarks, and now this belligerent charging our line. Their actions were not part of the film. Jack was angry. [Jack Hanger was the overall Confederate commander on the set.] “The next time they charge, if they go past the depression in the field, I’ll have the bugler blow the bugle. That will mean load, fire a volley over their heads, come back to the ready position with fixed bayonets, and stand your ground!” he said. The officers passed the word down the line.
The Yankee charge stopped dead in its tracks. Two-thirds of the troops dropped to the ground. Some just stood where they stopped. A few ran up to our fence. We told them they were our prisoners. Many dropped since they knew they should take a hit as good reenactors. Others dropped to the ground since they did not know if we were really firing at them or not. Some were just plain tired and it was a good excuse to lay down. One officer dropped on top of a red ant hill. The ants swarmed into his clothes and attacked. He was madly trying to strip off his clothes. None of the Yankees or film crew had known we were going to fire that volley. “If I get fired over this, so be it,” Jack said. A shout “Three cheers for the colonel!” The entire Confederate line waved their hats in the air and roared at the top of their lungs “Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray!” Another shout “Let’s hear it for the Yanks!” The line cheered again “Hip Hip Hooray!”
Kevin stern faced came galloping on his horse from the cameras toward the Confederate line. Was he angry? Would we be fired? He reined his horse to a stop in front our fence and shook his fist at us. “You guys are killers!” he shouted. “You’re all a bunch of killers!” Then he broke into a big grin and galloped
back to the cameras. The Confederate line roared with cheers again. |
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Dakota Epic excerpt:
The Yankees charged at a full run.
Over a hundred screaming men ran at us with fixed bayonets. The
cameras were filming off to the left in the middle of the field.
Kevin [Costner] watched the action on his horse behind the cameras.
We stood with fixed bayonets silently waiting for the Yankees.
They reached the depression, did not stop, and continued to run toward
us. The bugler sounded the signal. Each man quickly tore
open a blank cartridge, poured the black powder down the barrel, and
primed his musket. On command the entire Confederate line erupted in a
massed volley. What a mighty roar and cloud of smoke billowed from
our muskets.
We felt great.
