A noncommissioned officer serving as the sergeant of a Black company, whose murder becomes the central focus of the investigation conducted by Captain Davenport.

A white commissioned officer who struggles with accepting Davenport's authority during the investigation into Waters's murder.

A Black soldier who acted as Waters’s assistant and faced harsh punishment by him, playing a complex role in the events leading to the investigation.

A popular and talented Black soldier from Mississippi, remembered fondly by his peers, who becomes a crucial figure through flashbacks in the investigation.

A strong-willed Black soldier from the South, noted for his leadership qualities and participation in pivotal events concerning Sergeant Waters.

A career soldier and one of the few upset by Waters’s murder, who often protests unfair situations, including racial inequalities faced by Black soldiers.

Two white officers questioned during the investigation on suspicion of involvement in Waters’s murder, showcasing contrasting attitudes towards race and authority.