They have been starved, driven to exhaustion, and otherwise badly treated. The captain delivering them is disdainful of all Maine men, including Chamberlain who is a superior officer. Chamberlain confronts him with silent power that demands respect, and the captain, catching himself, snaps to attention and salutes Chamberlain. Chamberlain's handling of the Pennsylvania man is not lost on the mutineers, who have been watching the interchange closely.
When the unit is ordered to move out a short time later, Chamberlain speaks to the mutineers, letting the words come from his heart. He won't shoot them, knowing they have already done their share of fighting, and so he talks instead about his reasons for being there — the right of each man to become something on his own, his right to dignity and freedom. Chamberlain asks for their help and promises to look into their cause after the upcoming battle. As they march toward Gettysburg, Chamberlain is amazed and gratified to learn that 114 of the 120 men have decided to join his regiment.
