Sergeant Major John Rawlins

Sergeant Major John Rawlins (Morgan Freeman) was a member of the 54th Massachusetts and was given his stripes before the Battle of St. James Island. He was the unofficial leader of the 54th. Many men, including Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and Major Cabot Forbes, trusted him.

Background
John Rawlins is first introduced as a gravedigger at the Battle of Antietam (September 17, 1862.) He was making sure the bodies were deceased when he came about Robert Gould Shaw  (Matthew Broderick), who had been shot in the neck. He asked him if he was alright. It is revealed later that he left his kinfolk and children back in bondage but did not mention what state.

We next see John Rawlins in the line up of volunteers for the first African American Colored regiment. Robert Shaw notices him up on his horse. He is put in a tent with Thomas Searles, Jupiter Sharts, Trip, and the drummer boy. He is called "Pap" by Trip many times as he is one of the older volunteers of the unit. He knows many things about the men and Robert Gould Shaw calls on him from time to time for advice on the men.

He defends Robert many times in the movie and cheers for him when Robert Shaw refuses to take his pay. He confronts Trip about his bad behavior many times in the film but stands up for him when he is accused of desertion charges. He tells Robert that the men need shoes. He helps Robert by guarding the door so they can influence the Quartermaster for boots and uniforms. Many men respected him for his knowledge and courage.

His fate in the movie is unknown. He and Cabot Forbes and the rest of the 54th Massachusetts are seen confronting a Confederate unit in Fort Wagner but they do not reveal if he died or not.