Problem with Sidney P.

Not his performance, which was fine. But how could Toller have been a former sergeant with that unit? The US Army was segregated during the 19th century, and for much of the 20th, as well. The unit is clearly a "white" regiment, and as such, Toller could not have served in it. The officers are all familiar with him, and have served with him in the past. Maybe the officers were former members of a "black" regiment, perhaps? Afraid not. Soldiers were permanent members of the unit they were assigned to in those days, and there wasn't the ability to transfer from unit to unit during this time period. A soldier who wanted to transfer to another unit had to be discharged, travel at his own expense to the new location, and re-enlist, forfeiting all rank and seniority in the process. I'm guessing that in the novel Toller was white, but the film makers wanted Sidney in the film and rewrote the character as black, without thinking it through. So we have a bit of an historical problem with the plot. A fine film, otherwise.

"It ain't dying I'm talking about, it's LIVING!"
Captain Augustus McCrae