Two aging Civil War soldiers flank a Lincoln impersonator. The black veteran is thought to be John Aquilla Wilson, known as 'Quil,' of Fawn Township in southeastern York County. He enlisted in the United States Colored Troops, 32nd Regiment, in 1864. Wilson died at the age of 101. Background post: Black soldiers from York County served in 'Glory' unit and 'One of the shells found its mark.
Ever see the film "Glory" on the big screen?
A couple of years ago, York city brought the film starring Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman and Matthew Broderick to the Strand-Capitol. The cinematography was beyond description and the audio coming from the Capitol Theater's renovated sound system made you feel like you were in battle.
I was there to introduce the film, the first feature-length treatment of the role of black soldiers in the Civil War, and to give some closing remarks.
At the end, people were so captivated by what they had just witness that they almost seemed in a daze. It wasn't the late hour, nor my usual monotone delivery that quieted people this time.
The film on the big screen literally left people speechless.
Anyway, here are some notes from that night, many of which might be in the "Gee, I didn't know that category." ...
