Based on the letters of Colonel Robert G. Shaw. Shaw was an officer in the Federal Army during the American Civil War who volunteered to lead the first company of black soldiers. Shaw was forced to deal with the prejudices of both the enemy (who had orders to kill commanding officers of blacks), and of his own fellow officers.

Matthew Broderick is believed to be a distant relative of Robert Gould Shaw, the character he plays.

John Rawlins:
Where about you from?


Trip:
I'm from around Tennessee. I ran away when I was 12 years old and I ain't never looked back.


Sharts:
What ya doin' since then?


Trip:
I run for President.

[laughter]


Trip:
I didn't win though.

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: As with any "based on a true story" movie, especially one involving military operations, there are many ways in which the plot of the movie differs from the actual events. The exigencies of dramatic storytelling also require that certain practices and procedures are not accurately portrayed. Though, technically, these might be thought of as goofs, it's a movie, not a documentary.