Revolt at Fort Laramie (1957) - full transcript

All right, close up.

Looks like they've

been in trouble.

A pity. They waste

their ammunition

on the Indians.

Soon they will need their

bullets to kill each other.

Yes, dear lady, very dead,

but fortunately,

not your captain.

Come in.

The detail's returned, sir.

It has?

They've been in action,

Major. One dead.

I think it's Tatum.

The Captain is capable of making

his own report.

Yes, sir.

Sergeant, dismiss the men.

Question, sir.

What is it?

Is there any news from the east in that

mail pouch, Captain?

We, we've been kind of

worried about the,

the situation, sir.

The mail pouch will be

opened by your commanding officer.

Until then, try to

remember this is the army,

and not a political

debating society.

All right, Sergeant.

Detail, dismissed.

Jamie! Jamie!

Have a hard day, soldier?

I earned my pay.

Who will I spend it on?

Get yourself a wife

and find out.

Well, supposing you find

me a nice girl, Melissa.

A nice one wouldn't love you like I do.

Er, mail pouch, sir.

Howdy, miss.

Thank you.

Yes, sir.

You report to Uncle Seth

and then you'd better rest up.

For the dance?

For after the dance.

Captain Tenslip, you have won

a great victory, eh?

We saved the mail,

Salignac.

The Sioux haven't

attacked a supply wagon

in five months now.

They think the gold

was coming in today?

Shall I question

the prisoners?

We took no prisoners.

For all we know, Sarge,

the shooting's already

started back home.

You don't know,

so let it go at that.

Yeah, sure hate to think

of busting up those pretty

Southern states of yours.

Explain.

Sergeant Darrach!

I want a burial party

outside the gates.

Right now!

Yes, sir.

Are you sure it was

Red Cloud who attacked the wagon?

It's his warriors, sir.

No doubt about it.

He wants that gold.

Possibly. But his

logic escapes me.

Little more than a week.

We will be placing the gold

in Red Cloud's hands.

Why would he

want to steal it?

For ethical reasons,

I'd say.

Most peculiar

code of ethics.

He didn't learn

them at West Point.

Go on, Captain.

If he accepts the gold,

he can't fight you for a year

without breaking his word.

By stealing it he can

go to war and still

retain his honor.

A war now would be inopportune.

It will come, Major.

This country's being

opened up to the settlers.

That's a clear violation

of our agreement with the Indians.

Of course

you're right, Jamie.

But unlike Red Cloud

I did learn my craft

at West Point.

Our orders are to

facilitate settlement.

I intend to follow them.

Ride into a war?

If necessary.

I've been informed that

the gold shipment has

already left Fort Torrington.

I shall rely on you

to see that it

reaches here safely.

Yes, sir.

You also rely on Red Cloud?

I don't see that

Red Cloud's intentions

alter the situation.

He's already made

one stab at

the gold, Major.

Do you think he will let the

next wagon go through?

No, I think it's quite

possible he will

raid the wagon,

but as I said, Captain,

the gold has already left.

We have no choice

but to defend it as

best we possibly can.

I will inform you as to the

time and place of

your rendezvous.

Very well, sir.

Is there any news

from the east?

That will be all, Captain.

Please tell Mr. Salignac,

I wish to see him here

at once.

Yes, sir.

At your service, sir.

I want a message

delivered to Red Cloud.

Yes, Major?

You will leave immediately.

Tell Red Cloud that

the attack today

disturbed me greatly.

Tell him the warriors

responsible

must be punished.

Tell him six days hence

I will meet with him here

to accept his apologies.

Oh, yes. And for this

Red Cloud will

roast me on a fire, uh?

I mean, no more Salignac,

no more Indian scout.

Tell him any way

you want.

That's my message.

And then maybe

he come here

and burn you, eh?

And then perhaps you

have two wars,

uh, Major?

There will be no war

between the States.

Oh, good.

But if there is,

then the good Major

from Virginia

and poor Salignac,

we're not so

different, eh?

I mean, am I Indian

or white man?

The battle, it rages

in here, Major. Huh?

Today I am a white man.

Oh, but tomorrow.

And you, are you of

the South, or you a

soldier from Washington?

How will your blood

battle? Huh, Major?

Sarge, what's Tatum's

wife gonna do now?

Go back to Boston,

I guess.

Don't look so glum, boy.

Sooner or later we will all

get one of these here

wooden discharges.

Shouldn't we ought to

do something for Molly?

Well, I got a half-month's

pay check I don't

know what to do with.

I will match it.

It's all right with me.

Well, if it ain't

the noble savage.

Well, who you spying for

today, Salignac?

I go to see Red Cloud.

You are a brave man.

Maybe you wish

to come with me, huh?

Me? I ain't got enough

Indian blood.

No. You are a gentleman

of the South.

And you, Sergeant,

you have a great thing

to celebrate at the dance.

What do you mean

by that, Salignac?

You have a new president.

A man called, er, Davis.

But maybe your Mr. Lincoln

will have him shot, huh?

Old man Jeff Davis will

show 'em.

I just bet he will.

The only thing he will show

is his renegade back

when he starts running.

You ain't calling him

no renegade.

Who you reckon's

gonna chase him,

Cooper?

I always thought a company of

Union troops ought to see

the color of your rebel guts.

Corporal of the guard!

That's enough.

Well, what about it?

What started this?

The South, sir, like always.

And we will finish it.

You're at attention!

Sergeants Darrach and Cooper,

you're confined to barracks

until further orders.

Now return to the Fort.

What're you gonna do,

Jamie?

Nothing.

They've been building

this for weeks.

The sooner it's

forgotten, the better.

That fight isn't the end

it's only the beginning.

Not here.

Not, on this post.

You can't just ignore

what's happening.

What do you want us to do?

Choose up sides and wait

for someone to declare war?

No, if there is a war there

won't be much happiness

passed around, will there?

Oh, Jamie. Let's take

what we can now, Jamie.

Darling, marry me.

Marry me now.

Melissa...

I'm afraid. I'm afraid

the whole earth

will crack wide open

and swallow us.

Will our marriage

save us then?

Yes.

You're so sure...

Of loving you,

of each other.

And the other loves? Your

family, friends, everything

you've ever known.

Everything I might have

to fight against some day.

Darling, I don't want

to be a statesman,

or a soldier,

or even a Virginian,

I just want to be

the captain's wife.

And I promise not

to shoot at you

across the barricade.

We will have to get

your uncle's permission.

Oh, Jamie.

Dismissed!

Major Bradner!

Captain, what was that

brawl about between

Darrach and Cooper?

Only a difference

of opinion, sir.

I dare say.

In the future I expect

you to restrain your men

from such differences.

Yes, sir. Uh...

Is there something else?

Well, sir, it's about

your niece.

Yes, Melissa told me.

Do you think this is

a propitious time

for such a marriage?

I do, sir.

I quite agree.

Permission granted.

I hope you will permit

the honor to announce

your engagement

at the dance,

tonight, Jamie?

Why, yes, sir.

If you'd do us

the honor, sir.

Congratulations, Jamie.

Pleasure to have you

in the family.

Thank you, sir.

I beg your pardon,

sir, may I?

You may.

Thank you, my dear.

Bless you, my children.

Thank you.

We're the victims

of a rumor.

Evening, Captain. Miss.

Evening.

Charming couple, Jamie.

Thanks, Doc.

Poor Uncle Seth.

He will make such

a lovely speech

and nobody will

be surprised.

I will.

Oh, will you now?

You know, Melissa,

when you came out here

three months ago.

I thought to myself,

now there's a bold

and beautiful girl

to kiss in the moonlight,

but don't get

too involved, Captain.

And I thought, there's

a fine young man to

kiss me in the moonlight.

I think I will involve

him permanently.

Jamie, you will be riding

escort for the gold,

won't you?

In a few days. Routine.

No, it isn't,

Uncle Seth told me.

It will always be routine,

Melissa. For the both

of us from now on.

Yes, sir.

I got myself a soldier.

Sergeant of the guard!

Sergeant of the guard!

You will pardon me,

Mrs. Ricketts. Major.

Yes, sir.

Certainly.

Excuse me.

Pony express. I guess

he heard about us, too.

Ladies and gentlemen,

may I have your

attention, please.

I want to make

an announcement.

It will come as no

surprise to any of you.

Ladies and gentlemen,

as commandant of Fort Laramie,

it's my duty to report

to you the news that

has just reached me.

Fort Sumter

has been fired on.

President Lincoln has

called for immediate

military intervention

against the

Southern states.

Jamie.

Better go to your

quarters, Melissa.

They sure didn't waste

any time splitting us up

into separate barracks.

We ain't got any time

to waste either.

Everybody's here now

and it's coming.

Anybody wants to pull out.

Now's the time.

You know my feelings, Sarge.

I say we light out for Texas,

and join the

Confederate Army.

Shoot, there isn't

enough of us.

We'd never get through.

How many can we count on?

Ten, I know that

many will ride with us.

What about your barracks?

Got nine.

Hendrey?

Two or three

and that's all.

Rinty?

I can deliver six, maybe more.

You?

Six.

What about you?

I got nothing but Yanks.

Well, I got a dozen myself.

How many's that make, Ezra?

Not enough.

They outnumber us

three to one.

How about the Major?

He's from Virginia,

ain't he?

You didn't expect to see

him here tonight, did you?

Use your head, mister.

When we ride out of here

the Major will be

first in line.

Three to one against us.

That won't matter,

if we strike first.

Now the Sarge's got

it all worked out.

We will split up into

three detachments. The

first will take the arsenal.

That will be me. You take

a third of the men and take

the quartermaster's store.

Ezra, here, he will

cover the stables.

We will have the

horses, the supplies

and the ammunition.

The Yankee's will

have to surrender.

Or fight with nothing.

When do we move?

The day after the wagon

gets in with the gold.

And then, when

we get to Texas

with $50,000,

they will turn the

place over to us.

We will be lucky to get

there with our hair on.

We gotta go right through

Sioux territory.

I will fight with the

next man, I just don't

like to see no massacre.

Are you in or out,

mister?

I'm in. Got a right

to talk, ain't I?

The rest of you

with us?

Count on me.

Count on me.

Let's go, come on.

All right, let's

everybody split up.

Ezra and I will

go talk to the Major.

Did you talk to Caswell?

Yeah. He's waiting to take

us to the old man now.

All right, let's go,

I made some fresh coffee.

Oh, good.

You'd do best to get

some sleep, my dear.

It's quite late.

What's gonna happen,

Uncle Seth?

To the Fort?

I'm sure I don't know.

To me, I will try

to do my duty,

whatever that may be.

Have you discussed the

future with Jamie?

There's nothing to discuss.

You will still marry him?

Of course.

I wish my decision

was so sure.

God grant you

peace of mind, Melissa.

There will be little enough

of it in the days ahead.

Come in.

Request to speak

to the Major, sir.

Personal matter.

Well, yes, very well Melissa,

my dear, would you...

I will stop over at

Molly Tatum's for a minute.

Goodnight, Uncle Seth.

Goodnight, my dear.

What is it, Caswell?

Two of the men, sir.

Like to talk to the Major.

Can't they see

Captain Tenslip?

It's only for the

Major's ears, sir.

Wouldn't take a minute.

Can't it wait till morning?

No, sir, it can't.

They're right outside, sir.

Very well, send them in.

Thank you, sir.

I'm sorry, Major, but...

Did you ever hear of

military channels, Sergeant?

I have. But this

concerns us, sir,

not Captain Tenslip.

Who is "us"?

Confederate soldiers.

I've received no orders

regarding Southern troops.

Sure, Major, we just wanted

you to know you can

count on your friends.

I can? And to accomplish

precisely what?

Well, sir, we're outnumbered,

but the way we see it,

if we hit first, we can grab

the guns and the supplies,

and the gold when it comes in.

Then light out

for Texas, sir.

In short, an act of mutiny

and of theft.

An act of

patriotism, sir.

All quiet, Johnny?

Like a real quiet fuse.

I keep waiting for

something to explode.

Well, it won't be tonight.

Melissa.

Molly Tatum's asleep.

There will be no more

war for her.

She bargained for

that when she married

him, Melissa.

Oh, Jamie, it's such

a cruel bargain.

The enemy he fought

was her enemy.

It won't be that

simple for us.

But, Jamie, your job is here.

You won't be fighting

the Confederacy.

I could be ordered

back east tomorrow.

But you're needed here

at Fort Laramie like,

like Uncle Seth.

Melissa, my government

was attacked

at Fort Sumter.

My comrades were shot at.

It's my war, Melissa.

I will do my best

to fight in it.

I see. Of course

you will, Jamie.

Shall I go back to Virginia

and wait for your invasion?

You will have to decide

that for yourself.

Melissa.

Will you marry me?

It won't work,

will it?

I was so sure

it wouldn't matter.

The war won't

last forever.

Oh, Jamie,

I do love you.

Captain, I gotta talk

to you. It's important.

Hendrey, isn't it?

Yes, sir.

All right, come in.

All right, trooper.

Well, what is it?

You can talk in front

of the lieutenant.

Sir, I think you

ought to know, there's

gonna be trouble.

It's the Southerners.

What about 'em?

They had a meeting

tonight, in the stables.

Well, you're from the South

yourself, aren't you?

Yes, sir, I am. I was at

the meeting and I tried

to talk 'em out of it.

Only they wouldn't listen.

Talk 'em out of what?

They're gonna take over

the Fort, sir. They got it

all worked out.

They're gonna grab the

weapons and supplies, and

head for Texas with the gold.

You're sure of this?

Yes, sir. They figure

they're at war

and it's them or you.

How do you feel about it?

Oh, they haven't got

a chance, sir.

Why, if you don't

wipe 'em out,

the Indians will.

Sounds pretty wild

to me, Jamie.

A bunch of hot-heads

pumping themselves up

in the dark.

They will forget it

in the morning.

Begging your pardon,

Lieutenant. But I don't think

so, the Major's in with them.

What?

Do you know what

you're saying, man?

Yes, sir, they went to

see him tonight.

He will have 'em all

in the guardhouse.

They left there

five minutes ago,

and they went back

to the barracks.

You'd better get back

there yourself. And keep

this quiet, understand?

Oh, yes, sir. I'm not

about to advertise it.

I only reported this

because I thought I was

doing my duty, sir,

I'm sure your devotion

will be rewarded.

Thank you, sir.

Goodnight, Captain.

Lieutenant.

Do you think he was

telling the truth?

Of course he was.

But the Major... Jamie,

he's got 20 years service.

He's a West Pointer.

And a Virginian.

Well, what're we gonna do?

What would you suggest?

Arrest him?

He's Commanding Officer.

All we can do is sit

and wait for it to

blow up in our faces.

Took me a little walk.

Spring sure is in the air.

What's the matter, Sarge?

Did I forget to put my

pants on or something?

* Look away, look away,

look away Dixie land

* I wish I was in Dixie

I didn't tell 'em,

I had to see the Captain

about something else.

I didn't tell 'em anything.

* I will take my stand

to lib and die in Dixie

* Away, away,

away down South in Dixie

* Away, away

Away down South in Dixie

* I wish I was

in the land of cotton.

* Old times there

are not forgotten

* Look away, look away

Look away, Dixie land

* I wish I was in Dixie

Hooray *

Now ain't that just awful?

I bet we can do a lot

better than that.

* John Brown's body lies

a-moldering in the grave.

Come on!

* John Brown's body lies

a-moldering in the grave

* John Brown's body lies

a-moldering in the grave

* John Brown's body lies

a-moldering in the grave

* But his soul goes

marching on

* I will take my stand

* To lib and die in Dixie

Come on, sing, sing.

* Look away, look away

* John Brown's body lies

a-moldering in the grave

* But his soul goes

marching on

* Glory, glory, hallelujah

Glory, glory, hallelujah

* Glory, glory, hallelujah

* Look away, look away

* Glory, glory, hallelujah

* Glory, glory, hallelujah

His soul is marching on.

What is it? What's wrong?

Stay inside, Melissa.

* Looking kindly down

The stars of heaven are

looking kindly down

* The stars of heaven are...

Tenslip!

Yes, sir.

* Of old John Brown.

Those maniacs.

Bugler, blow assembly!

* Hallelujah

Glory, glory, hallelujah *

Within the walls of this

fort is a company of the

Army of the United States.

The States

are no longer united.

Each of you has chosen

his own loyalty.

Perhaps there are some

of you who have yet to

make that decision.

Whichever way you chose,

you will for the present time,

continue to exist together.

In anger,

if necessary with hatred,

but within this fort

you will remain

a company of soldiers.

That order doesn't come

from me or from Washington.

That order comes

from Red Cloud

and his warriors.

Captain Tenslip, be good

enough to come to my office,

first thing in the morning.

Yes, sir.

All right, Sergeant,

dismiss your men.

Company, dismissed.

Jamie, I assume you

know the ring leaders

of last night's outbreak?

Yes, sir.

Most of them.

They will compose

your detachment to

escort the gold.

You will leave immediately

and you will meet the wagon

at Tomahawk Crossing.

Will my men include

the ring leaders on

both sides, Major?

Or just the North?

Both sides.

Now suppose you

explain that remark?

I'm fully aware of the

rebel plot to take over

this fort and steal the gold.

I'm also aware, Major,

that last night you met

with their leaders.

Captain Tenslip,

I do not intend to

submit the conduct

of this office to you

for your judgment

or your approval.

You will please

carry out my orders.

If my suspicions are wrong,

Major, I apologize.

And I'd suggest you allow

me to convoy the gold

directly to Red Cloud.

In view of our own

abrogation's,

I have no assurance

that Red Cloud

will honor the treaty.

He will get no gold

from us until we hear

from Salignac.

Salignac? Major, I'd sooner

trust Red Cloud himself.

Well, it appears, Captain,

that you're just short

on trust all around.

Come in!

Sir, the body of one of

the troopers was just

found outside the gate.

Whose body?

Hendrey, sir.

He was scalped.

But not by a Sioux.

That's all, Serrell.

You know anything

about this?

Hendrey, Major, was

the man who informed

me of the rebel plot.

I will make a complete

investigation.

In the meantime,

you will convoy

the gold.

Back to the Fort, sir?

Back to the Fort, Captain.

This is all Sioux

territory over to here.

Uh-huh.

They will hit the supply

wagon either here or

at the bend of the river.

Well, if they come from

here they will have to

attack from the south.

That's right.

We haven't seen a Sioux

in the two days

we've been

south of the river.

They're down there

someplace.

Any trouble?

No, sir. Got close enough

to eat with them.

Where are they?

About two miles

due south, sir.

A large war party.

Very well. Go get

yourself some rations.

Thank you, sir.

A surprise attack before

dawn might scatter 'em

before the supply wagon

comes through.

By the time we got down

there we wouldn't

even find a campfire.

You think they've been

scouting us, too?

A trooper passed you

that tin of rations a few

minutes ago, didn't he?

Yeah.

Who was it?

I didn't notice.

It was too dark to see.

Next time, Lieutenant,

take a better look.

Cooper.

Yes, sir.

Lash the horses together

and detail a few men to

ford the stream with them.

We're gonna walk

the rest of the way.

The men are

awfully tired, sir.

Tell that to the Sioux,

Sergeant.

Let me in on it.

They've established our

presence here. Now we're

gonna slip past them on foot.

That will put the Sioux

between us and the Fort.

We will never be able

to fight our way back.

We will fight

some other day.

Tomorrow we run.

Men, Carl, Come on.

Take them across

through there. Hurry up.

Come on, let's

hurry it up.

We will be sitting

out there like ducks

on a pond.

If we'd slip back

downstream while

it was dark.

It will be tough enough

to run it in the daylight.

Great, we get ourselves

shot full of holes

and the rebels get the gold.

They haven't

got it yet.

All right, shove off.

My congratulations,

Captain.

Salignac.

Where'd you come from?

From your enemy.

From Red Cloud.

You know, one of these days,

Salignac, you're gonna

happen along either too early

or too late.

Then we will know

which side you're on.

You men, unload it.

The gold's intact, sir,

but we lost two men.

I will take charge

of the gold.

Jake, the Major will

need some help putting

that gold in the safe.

See that, he gets it.

Yeah, I know

what you mean.

You men are dismissed.

That will be all,

Lieutenant.

Please have

Mr. Salignac come in.

Have a hard day, soldier?

Earned my pay

I'm sorry, I didn't get

a chance to say

goodbye before you left.

Sure.

We both got

kind of busy.

Jamie, I'm going back

to Virginia.

When?

As soon as I can arrange

it with Uncle Seth.

Like a fellow once said,

"The war won't last forever."

If you play your cards

right maybe you can ride to

Texas with your Uncle Seth.

Or do you already

know about that?

What do you mean?

He and the rest of the

rebels are planning to jump

out of here with the gold.

That's not true.

Ask him.

He wouldn't do that,

Jamie, he couldn't.

Why not?

The Mason-Dixon line

runs right down the

middle of that square.

The only neutrals are out

in that graveyards.

Then you will not want

to be consorting

with the enemy.

The war goes well

for you, huh, Major?

You may go, Mr. Salignac.

Red Cloud refuses to

come to the Fort.

Is that Salignac's

doing?

Salignac was merely

the intermediary.

No, Red Cloud has offered

to meet us in two days

at the bend of the river.

What would you do?

I'd ride it in full force

to meet him, sir.

And pay over the gold.

If you recall, my orders

are to withhold the gold

until we are aware of

Red Cloud's intentions.

Are those Union orders,

or Confederate?

There you have it.

The bitterest choice

of all. Whether to break

your oath or your heart.

I've always had the

greatest admiration for

your decisiveness, Jamie.

Which call would

you listen to?

I don't have any choice

to make, Major.

You have now.

I've just received word to

release all Southern troops

whose loyalty to the Union

is in doubt.

As my last official act,

Major Tenslip,

you are now

Acting Commandant

of Fort Laramie.

Effective immediately, sir?

Immediately.

For your first command.

Good luck, Jamie.

Thank you, sir.

Caswell.

Yes, sir?

Will you send

Sergeant Darrach in.

Reporting, sir,

Sergeant Darrach,

pass the word along

that any Southern trooper

who desires it

may receive an

honorable discharge.

I'm ready to ride South

to Texas with them.

What about the gold,

sir?

Son, we can either

leave the gold or

our honor behind.

Which would you choose?

We've never questioned

the Major's orders before

and we ain't about

to do it now.

The gold in the safe,

Major.

We will ride whenever

you're ready.

Yes, sir.

Major, you don't stand a

chance of getting through.

You've got a 100 miles

of Sioux territory

to cross.

We're no longer soldiers,

the Sioux have no

quarrel with us.

I'm sorry, Jamie,

this is between

Red Cloud and you now.

Now may I borrow

your office?

Major, so Major Bradner

has made his decision.

Someday I must

make mine.

I will save you the

trouble, Salignac,

I will give you exactly

15 minutes to clear out

of this Fort.

You are a foolish man.

No, just a careful one.

You can ride out

with the Southerners

or go back to the Sioux.

Oh, but you see,

again you ask me

to make a choice.

Uncle Seth,

have a good ride.

My dear,

if I could take you...

I know. I wouldn't

want you to be

wasting your time

protecting us

womenfolk out there

I will stay here

with the others.

If a relieving garrison

comes through, I'm sure

Jamie will see you get home.

If it's up to Jamie, I'm

more likely to see the

inside of an internment camp.

I suppose that's what

this is now, isn't it?

No, it's still Fort Laramie.

Jamie's the same man.

You're the same woman.

Bye, Uncle Seth.

Bye, Melissa.

He will get through,

Melissa.

If you're very lucky, Major,

one day you may have the

opportunity of fighting him.

I will move my things

from your new quarters.

Isn't that Red Cloud himself?

Yes, Major.

I guess he is here

for the powwow and to

receive his tribute.

I'd almost forgotten.

Yesterday seems

a year away.

Well, we will deliver

Major Tenslip's message.

They're not hostile.

They think we've

come here for

the powwow.

Remember, we're not

soldiers this time.

Tell Chief Red Cloud,

greetings.

The Chief returns the

greetings and hopes the

white chief is well.

Tell him I'm no

longer white chief.

He asks why you have

come to the powwow if you

are no longer soldiers.

Tell him we're on a journey

and that Major Tenslip

is now in command.

He will powwow with the

chief when we're safely

through Sioux territory.

What does he say?

He thinks it is a trick.

If the gold is not paid today

as was promised, he will

not be bound by the treaty.

Well he's bluffing.

Without that gold

he can't fight a war.

Lies, lies.

White chief not tell truth.

Make treaty with

Red Cloud, no keep word.

Drive Sioux off his

hunting grounds.

Scare game away.

Not pay gold.

Red Cloud fight.

We will ride on.

Gentlemen, if you know

any prayers, say them now,

Circle the wagons!

Cease fire.

Here comes some more.

Over here.

Sergeant Darrach,

are there any casualties?

Doesn't appear to be, Major.

Good.

Mr. Updike, strengthen

the perimeter for

the next attack.

Look, Major,

a flag of truce.

This attack was to show us

they mean business. Now, we

will be invited to surrender.

Mr. Salignac, please

go out and talk to them.

At your service, sir.

Sergeant Darrach,

build up the defenses.

All right, Major.

Some of you men, let's get

these wagons closed up.

Well, Mr. Salignac?

Chief Red Cloud

sends his respects, Major.

He says he has no

quarrel with men who are

no longer soldiers.

What does he want?

You Major.

You're crazy!

Quiet, Go on,

Mr. Salignac.

Red Cloud wants you

as a hostage.

He does not believe that

the Fort will refuse

to pay a bounty for you.

If you surrender your men

will receive safe travel

through Sioux territory.

Otherwise, you will be

killed to the last man.

Tell Red Cloud I accept.

You can't do it, sir.

When he finds out Tenslip

won't pay the ransom,

he will have you killed.

No, but not without certain

unpleasant ceremonies.

I am quite aware

of that, Mr. Salignac.

We won't stand for it, sir.

Not one of us.

If you go out there, Major,

we will all go with you.

We will all be killed.

I appreciate your

loyalty, gentlemen,

even though it's a

foolish one but I'm

making this an order.

Begging your pardon, sir.

Civilians don't take

orders. They vote.

The polls are open, men.

All in favor of staying

with the Major say aye.

Aye!

Opposed?

You got your answer,

Salignac.

Now take it back

to Red Cloud.

Major, you are in command

of a troop of imbeciles.

But I congratulate you.

Here they come.

Fire!

They will wait

till morning now.

And we will still be here.

Major, Salignac's gone.

He sold us out.

Dirty half-breed.

It wasn't his battle.

How's the ammunition

holding out?

It ain't very good, Major.

I'm about out.

We can't fight

with our bare hands.

We better keep an eye on him.

He will slip out after dark

and surrender himself.

He won't go alone.

Well, let's make sure

he doesn't go at all.

I've got to see Major Tenslip. Open the gate.

Open the gate.

Come in.

Sir, Salignac's

at the gates.

But he left with

Major Bradner's men.

Yes, sir.

He's awful anxious

to see you.

I told you to stay clear

of Fort Laramie.

Oh, you will

forgive me, sir,

but Major Bradner's

men have been ambushed

by the Sioux.

Where?

They are surrounded.

To the south

of Devil's Gorge.

The truth?

Yes, the truth.

Salignac, if this is

a trick I will see you

hanged from that gate.

Serrell! Send

Lieutenant Waller

to my office.

Yes, sir.

I perform one honorable act

and he wants to hang me.

Salignac, what are

their chances?

They don't have any.

You can't just take

Salignac's word for it,

Jamie.

And if I refuse his word?

The Major dies

and every man with him.

And Red Cloud

will run wild out there.

Now if it's a trap you will

be committing the worst

military blunder since

the Charge of the

Light Brigade.

The Major always knew

everything that

happened in this fort.

You see most of it

from this window.

Things look different

from in here.

Maybe you can

see the view for

yourself some day.

Call out the men.

I will take a volunteer

detachment.

Yes, sir.

Jamie, you are going?

Yes.

You know, you don't have

to do this for my sake.

Melissa, if I'm sure of

nothing else,

I know this is right.

And that's not easy

to decide any longer.

Oh, it used to be simple

enough. Fight the enemy,

hate them, defeat them.

But with men like

Major Bradner

on the other side, it's...

Well, I can say no worse

of them than they fought

for what they believed in.

I believe I have

to go to his help.

That's the best answer

I can give you, Melissa.

Jamie. Uncle Seth says

we're the same people,

we've always been.

Have we changed,

you and I?

I will always love you,

Melissa.

Oh, Jamie.

Something I could do,

Major?

Yes, you should get

as much sleep as

you can, Caswell.

Yes, sir.

So should you, sir.

Oh, I was just

stretching my legs.

Well, I will walk with you.

What is it?

Sioux campfires.

Make a circle.

The Major's men

must be in the center.

Cooper.

Yes, sir.

I want to get through

the Sioux lines and make

contact with Major Bradner.

Think you can find

an opening?

I think I can make one.

Take as many men

as you need.

I only need one hole,

I'll only need one man.

Major! Major, wake up.

Wake up, wake up.

What is it?

The Sioux, I think

they're sneaking up.

What is this?

I was afraid you'd walk

in your sleep, Major.

Well, of all...

Take it off.

Yes, sir.

Over here.

Cooper.

Some mess you Rebs

got yourself into.

You alone?

Major Tenslip's out there

with a detachment,

right on the other side

of the Indian lines.

Can you get through?

I will go back

and bring them back.

But you make sure

you hold your fire

when we get here.

That won't be hard.

We ain't got very much

ammunition left.

Is that right? You Southern

boys must don't know

how to fight a war, do you?

Now listen, mister...

As you were.

We need all the help

we can get.

We will be back

before daybreak.

Hey, Coop.

Yeah?

Good luck.

You know, I bet you

really mean that.

We still have a surprise

waiting for them.

Yes sir.

Oh, you will

need this Major.

I resigned

my commission.

That doesn't take effect

till after the battle.

You're still

in command, sir.

Serrell, look out!

Eighteen dead.

They fought good.

They were soldiers.

I'm sorry about

the Major, sir.

Men, Red Cloud

will lick his wounds

for a few weeks.

Now you can ride on

or re-enlist.

The choice is still yours.

Thank you, Major.

It ain't gonna be any easier,

but I think we better go on.

We will take charge

of the casualties.