What about us? What do we get?

Consider the following dialogue between Col. Robert Shaw and Pvt. Trip in the film, Glory. Why do you think that Trip is so reluctant to carry the American flag into battle?

COLONEL SHAW:
- Trip, isn't it?

TRIP:
- Yes, sir.

COLONEL SHAW:
You fought very well yesterday, Trip. Sergeant Rawlins has recommended that you receive a commendation.

    TRIP:                   
Yes, sir?

    COLONEL SHAW:                   
Yes, and I think you should bear the regimental colors.

    TRIP:                                  
Well--

COLONEL SHAW:                                     
lt's considered quite an honor. Why not?

TRIP:                                             
Well, I'm...wantin' to say somethin', sir, but l--

COLONEL SHAW:                                                        
Go ahead.

TRIP:                 
AIl right. See—I ain't fightin' this war for you, sir.

COLONEL SHAW:                                                        
I see.

TRIP:                 
I mean, what's the point? Ain't nobody gonna win. lt's just gonna go on and on.

COLONEL SHAW:                                                                           
- It can't go on forever.

TRIP:
- But ain't nobody gonna win.

COLONEL SHAW:                                                                           
Somebody's gonna win.

TRIP:                   
Who? I mean, you get to go on back to Boston to a big house and all that.
What about us?
What do we get?

COLONEL SHAW:                                                                           
Well, you won't get anything if we lose. What do you want to do?

    TRIP:                                   
I don't know, sir. It stinks, I suppose.

COLONEL SHAW:                                                                           
Yeah, it stinks bad.

TRIP:    
And we all covered up in it.
Ain't nobody clean.
Be nice to get clean though.

COLONEL SHAW:                  
How do we do that?

TRIP:   
We ante up and kick in, sir.
But I still don't wanna carry your flag.

What were the main issues the country had to face after the Civil War? Think about how you might solve these problems.