Seminole (1953) - full transcript

* THE SEMINOLE *

This is a story about the
Seminoles Indians,...

and his Chief Osceola.

An account taken from
the pages of History.

"FORT KING US ARMY HEADQUARTERS

FLORIDA TERRITORY THE YEAR 1835 "

By the current regulation,
I, Colonel Zachary Taylor...

I declare this Martial Court open.

Mr. Gerad, make the charge.

According to Lieutenant Lance
Caldwell, please stand up.

According to Lieutenant Caldwell,
he is being charged...



of disobeying orders...

premeditated insubordination
and murder.

You've heard the charge, Mr.
Caldwell.

How do you declare?
Guilty or innocent?

Innocent.

Do you have anything to
say in your defense?

Yes sir.

But, I ask permission from the Court
to report my version of the facts...

as they occurred.
Permission granted.

But I must warn you that
whatever you say...

may be used against you.

This Court will judge you
fairly and impartially...

but if found guilty, the
penalty determined by law...

is the death.



You got it?
I understood.

All right, go on.

Sit in the place of the
witnesses and report the facts.

I'll tell you everything, just
as it happened exactly...

from the moment of my arrival
in the Territory of Florida.

I was circling the marshes off
the coast, 15 km from Fort King.

It was a beautiful morning in Florida
and it was good to come home.

My promotion to Second Lieutenant,
Army of the United States...

I had just left and I
felt very important.

The four long years at the Academy
seemed to have been a long time ago.

Seminoles?
Yes.

For some time they have been roaming the
Territory stealing supplies and equipment.

I was attacked by one of them on the road.
Without a doubt, an explorer.

I do not understand, the
Seminoles are peaceful.

The military thought this until
they stole their horses.

It is incredible that they are at war.
I do not believe.

For three months that
has been happening.

The Army needs to find
out what's going on.

I'll find out. I'll find
the answer at Fort King.

High!
Who's coming?

Lieutenant Lance Caldwell,
introducing himself to the post.

Welcome to Fort King, sir.
Thank you, Corporal.

I'll take your horse, sir.
Thank you.

Good day sir.
Good Morning. Lieutenant Caldwell.

Oh, Lieutenant.
The Major is waiting for him.

Lieutenant Caldwell, sir.
Introducing yourself to the service.

Mr. Caldwell, what
happened to your looks?

It turns out, sir, that I had
a skirmish down the road...

We're very clean here, Mr.
Caldwell.

from the riding saddles to the
epaulettes of the Officers.

Introduce yourself again when
you are in a clean uniform.

That's all, Mr. Caldwell.
You're dismissed!

"MAJOR DEGAN"

In between!

According to Lieutenant
Caldwell, sir.

Welcome to Fort King, Mr.
Caldwell.

Please sit down.

Please.

You mentioned, a skirmish.

Yes. I was attacked by a Seminole.

I think he was an observer.
Oh, ah...

Did you capture him?

Do not.
He escaped.

And that's what you called
a skirmish, Lieutenant?

The Seminoles, Major...

have always been a peaceful tribe.

I've never seen you act like this.

You were sent to me because
you know them well!

and knows the Territory.

But times have changed, sir.

Come here.

The South, Lieutenant.

Land ready for cultivation...

and become the agricultural
heart of the country...

if it were not for
certain obstacles.

The Cherokees here...

the Choctaws here...

and the Seminoles here.

The Indians occupy a large
part of the best lands...

and can not take advantage of it,
because they do not know its value.

The Government has decided to send
them to a reservation in the West...

with provisions, plenty of water...

and the opportunity to
learn, to work the land.

The neighboring tribes, for the
most part, accepted the change.

But not the Seminoles.

Only the Seminoles
disobeyed my orders.

Why sir?

Because they have a leader.

A powerful leader, named Osceola.

He believes that all his men
are willing to fight for him.

The Seminoles live in swamps...

without utility, to the white man.

I am a soldier, not a politician.

And you must remember that you
are, only a soldier, Mr. Caldwell.

A newly promoted lieutenant.

Orders, Lieutenant.

And my orders are to get them
out of here and take them west.

That is what I intend to do, as long
as I have the necessary forces.

But I know your language,
sir, your customs.

Maybe if I can talk
to this Osceola...

Mr. Caldwell, keep this in mind.

Talking times are over!

They had the chance
to go peacefully!

And just...

a small piece of information
that might be useful to you...

while you're serving
here in Fort King.

At the Academy, Mr. Caldwell,

I was number one in my class.

Major number one!

I have studied the
regulation very thoroughly.

I live by the regulation, I fight
according to the regulation...

and command this Second Fort
determines the regulation.

You were sent to me,
to be an explorer.

And your job.

I'll climb it to control
actions, until I'm ready...

to confront me, with Osceola.

Dispensed.
Yes sir.

But if the Major consents,
I request permission,

to leave the Fort tonight.

Personal matters.

Sign the registration book
at Sergeant Smiley's office.

And be back before midnight.

Thank you sir.

Sergeant Magruder!

Make yourself comfortable.

I am placing you under the
orders of the new Officer,

According to Lieutenant Caldwell.

He will be our explorer.
He was born in this region.

It is good to have a man
who knows the Seminoles.

He knows them in depth.

The problem is whether
he wants to fight them.

It seems the new lieutenant
is not convinced...

that our methods are correct,
to deal with Osceola.

Do not lose sight of him
and tell me everything.

Sergeant Magruder,
this is an order!

"MULDOON COMMERCIAL POSITION"

Mr. Lance!

MS. Revere?

Throw!

How long have...
Five years.

Let me look at you.

Why did not you tell me?

I bring you the letter I wrote.

My horse is faster than the Mail.

You do not need to read this.

Just say I'm coming...

and that I still feel,
the same for you.

Mr. Lance, you've grown a lot.

You're a soldier now, as
you always wanted to be.

I remember you running with John.

and firing with toy weapons.

Mattie Sue, why do not you prepare
something to eat for the lieutenant?

No, thanks, I already
had dinner at the Fort.

What a beauty!

Well, then, why do not
you leave us alone?

Were you in Fort King today?
I was assigned there.

Now you will have me
continuously by your side.

Fort King is just
a small garrison.

What do you want another Officer for?

It was a small garrison...

it is no more.

If, within a month, the Seminoles
do not transfer to the West...

the Army will force them.

Seminoles are our friends.
That's what I told Major.

It is not about the people,
but about their leader.

A Chief named Osceola.

It seems that he deceives them,
does not want to lose the power.

Now this is the
behavior of an Officer.

All this time, just
talking about the Army.

This is not very romantic.

You're a grown woman, Revere.

Loneliness ages us quickly.

And has loneliness changed
your way of thinking about us?

Changed?

What a beautiful childhood ours is, Lance.

We were very happy.

The three of us?
Yes.

Tell me what happened.

I think you know.

About John?

He disappeared, that's all.
Because?

Does not make sense.

For years we dreamed of
joining the Academy together.

It was our biggest dream.

And when the time comes, it
does not appear. Because?

John was different from us.

We knew that from the beginning.

He thought in a deeper way.

I'm sure he had his
reasons, to leave.

I have tried to convince myself
that it was due to his family.

Maybe he was afraid of being
discriminated against.

No, John was proud of
his Indian mother.

So you should be proud to
be the first Indian...

admitted at West Point.
Why would he do that?

Maybe someday we'll know.

But you must stop worrying now.

How do I stop worrying about
losing my best friend?

Maybe even something,
more important.

What do you think about this?

Looks like it was like
I saw you yesterday.

Give me time.

I want to meet him again.

You know, Revere, I
think I'll take it,

the dinner you offered me.

Mattie Sue.

Mattie Sue!

Mr. Lance changed his mind.
He is hungry.

I'm glad you're back.

When will I see him again?

Whenever you have one minute free.

I have many things to tell
you, I have not yet said.

I hope I have the opportunity.

Thank you.

Good night, Lance.

Good night, Revere.

Why did you come?
Peace, warrior Kajeck.

Kaluk, I came to see your Chief.

It is not wise, for
you to be here, now.

I bring an important message.

I do not trust you.
Silence, young man!

He's on the Council
with his Heads.

Come on, let's find him.

You broke, your promise.

We agreed that she would
only come if I called her.

John, I could not wait.

I broke my promise because I
bring news from the Army.

The Army has nothing
to do with this.

As I told my Heads,

these troops will soon go west.

No, John.

They prepare to attack you.

How do you know this?

I talked to one of the Officers.

Her name is Lance Caldwell.

Did you send for us?
Yes.

Willing to see the
Cherokee renegades?

Speak in english!
Ms. Muldoon is our friend.

We leave in an hour, to meet them.

Soon we will have enough weapons
to fight with the soldiers.

And always live in disgrace!
I do not get it.

This meeting was his wish.

I wanted my people to be free.

That is why I allowed the
renegades to hide...

in the swamp, in exchange for weapons.
There was no other choice.

And now?

Ms. Muldoon brought me the news.

A man I've known all my life,

is among the Officers of the Fort.

I trust him.

I'll arrange a meeting
and we'll talk.

Let's get the guns first.

Then you will.

What you want?

Find the renegades, as we agreed.

But do not make a deal this time.

Ms. Muldoon will return to
Fort to find my friend.

What if this friend does
not want to listen?

Then the guns will speak.

Soon the rains will come.

If there is no peace, we
will remain in the marshes.

Do not be fooled.

The food we steal
will not be enough...

many will die.

We should take this chance.

I say to fight.

You are the leader we choose.

You say there is hope, I
will repeat your words.

You will stay in the village.

I'll go with my father.

Why are you doing this to me?

You will stay, my son.

It is not possible to seek
peace, when hatred blinds sight.

The impetuosity of youth
is not necessary.

Yes father.

Come here.
Kaluk.

Kaluk, avoid the soldiers.

There should be no
more blood until...

all the chances are tempted.

It will be as you say.

Sleep here tonight and at dawn,

my warriors, will take you back.

Go find him immediately and
reveal to him my identity.

Revere...

Lance will talk to me, will not he?

I'm sure of that, John.

I wanted to spend tonight with you...

let's not waste it.

What is it, John?

I was thinking about Lance.

The dream is over. Lance came
back, you belong to him.

I belong to you, John.

You know my feelings perfectly.

But Lance is good...

has a brilliant career
as an Army Officer...

and he's white, like you.

And you're an Indian.

The leader of a tribe, who fights.

Also could have been Official,

but decided that his
place was here...

helping his people.
What if I fail?

Could you live in a miserable
village like this?

It does not have to be like
this, not if there is peace.

Will your society accept
me as your husband?

Revere, I think about your future.

You and Lance belong
to the same world.

Give Lance the opportunity

to show you your world
before you decide.

All right, John.

Let's wait.

No, Revere, I'll wait.

I found a group, Lieutenant.
Taft was watching...

while I came to get him.

Dismount!

I'm glad you're here, Lieutenant.
What happened?

I was discovered, so I opened fire.

I took one of them and
the other three fled.

Four against one and fled?

Yes sir.

All right, soldier.
Tell me what happened.

That's what I said, sir.

Against four would
not stand a chance,

and this man was
slain in the back.

I thought they had seen
me, I could have sworn.

Before they attacked me, I shot.

By back?
How did you hit him in the back?

Sorry, Lieutenant, the question is
confusing, but he's almost a boy.

They saw him, and they left
without a fight, am I right?

I do not know, sir.

I can not remember.

They left without a fight, but
panicked and shot at them...

the rest ran away, did not happen?

Yes sir.
That's how it happened.

All right, go back to your place.

Yes sir.

Maybe I would have done
the same, Lieutenant.

It could be a trap.

It's more than that, this man is a Boss.
It is seen by his clothes.

Maybe it's Osceola.

With the drums, I will send a message
to the watchmen, to give him a horse.

Run to Fort with, my message.

The rest depends on Lance.

Yes sir?

Mr. Caldwell, I was expecting you
to talk about today's incident.

I read your report and wanted
to ask you some questions.

Yes sir.

Why, Mr. Caldwell?

Why, in your opinion...
Did the Seminoles avoid fighting?

Because, as I said, sir, they
are not bellicose. Oh...

I believe they are waiting for the
chance to resolve this peacefully.

So why did he punish a
man who did his duty?

I am aware of your
attitude to Private Taft.

He admitted that the Indians
did not attack him.

They had a meeting and
they saw him there.

They were in greater numbers,
but they refused to fight.

This demonstrates their good faith.

And the fact of stealing food and horses,
is another demonstration of good faith?

Mr. Caldwell, you were sent to
me for exploration missions.

So, you must give
me information...

and do not tell me why
or how I should fight.

And one more thing: I do not want
any soldier under my command...

be punished for killing an enemy.

Is that clear?

Yes sir.
Good morning, Mr. Caldwell.

Sergeant Smiley,
bring your schedule.

Meeting of Officers,
tonight at eight.

Come and write.

To the General's Office.

Subject matter:

According to Lieutenant Lance Caldwell.

Behavior.

I called them, gentlemen,
because the time has come....

to plan a final action
against the Seminoles.

This morning's events...

convinced me that
Osceola at this time...

he has neither warriors nor
weapons for a long campaign.

So I decided to attack him,
with a small detachment...

immediately.

Hidden in your village...

he considers the swamps,
as his silent defenders...

and is convinced that
we can not reach him.

Well, gentlemen, that's exactly
what I want him to think.

Because a surprise attack
now and its capture...

will totally disorganize,
the Seminoles...

before they join the other
tribes and renegades.

Now...

some of you, gentlemen, still
do not know this Territory.

The new Officer, Mr. Caldwell,
lived in Florida, gentlemen...

and will bring you up to date
on everything about the region.

Those who do not follow me tomorrow
will be able to use your information...

in future expeditions.

Oh, Mr. Caldwell, please.

May I suggest speaking
to you privately, Major?

Mr. Caldwell,

I summoned this meeting to
inform all my Officials.

Whatever you want to tell
me, you can tell them.

Very good, sir.

I beg you, respectfully...

that the attack be canceled,
against the Seminoles.

I think it is very dangerous
to enter the swamps,

at this time of year.

And I believe that special
training is needed to fight there.

Mr. Caldwell, just one
question, please.

When you say it's too dangerous,
you mean it's impossible?

No sir.
That is all.

The list of participants will
be displayed on the board.

Be prepared at 6:00 a.m., with food
and paraphernalia for seven days.

Gentlemen, you may withdraw.

Mr. Caldwell, please stay.

Now, sir, tell me, what did you have
in mind when you made this request?

I asked the Major
to speak privately.

I'd like to know, Lieutenant,
your reasons for suggesting...

that I would cancel my orders.

With the rains coming, the
Seminoles will be forced to...

to seek high ground.
It will be easy to capture them.

If we give them time, they will
accumulate weapons and ammunition...

to sustain an endless campaign.

I'm doing my job, sir.
My duty is to warn you.

According to you, it is impossible to
enter the jungle and defeat Osceola.

It will be a surprise
attack, a calculated risk.

You just tell me how to get
there, I'll do the rest.

Mr. Caldwell...

try to prepare the most
appropriate route plan...

that I'll send for in an hour.

In between.

Major's plan, sir.
I came to pick you up.

Here it is.

Sergeant.
Make yourself comfortable!

How long have you been with Major?
Ten years, sir.

I was with him throughout
the Creek expedition.

The Major has a good record.

You should be proud to serve with him.
I am, he is a good Officer.

But it's been three years since he's expected
to be promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel.

You must have patience with him.

I get it.

Lieutenant, on the Creek expedition
there was an Officer, not West Point...

who made a lot of money as an
informant of the red skins.

We lost many men before
we discovered it.

You think he suspects me?

He seeks to win, a war.

Admit it gave you
reason to be alarmed.

Maybe it is that.

This will be between us.

Good evening, sir.

Prepare!

Form column!

In column two from the right!

Cape of the Guard, a
stranger is approaching.

Who goes there?
My name is Muldoon.

I need to see Lieutenant
Caldwell immediately.

Impossible, miss.
Your detachment left an hour ago.

Do you know when you'll be back?
It is hard to say.

And I do not think I can reach it.
Your horse looks tired.

Hey, you do not own the Post?

Yes I am.

Go there. When the lieutenant comes
back, I'll tell him to look for her.

Please, do it.
It's very important.

Tell the officer we saw one
of the stolen horses...

and which was not
assembled, by any Indian.

On the right!
High! High!

Call Sergeant Magruder.

Sergeant Magruder!
Ready.

Yes sir!

Leave the horses with two men and
take the others with the cart.

To do what, sir?

Push it, Sergeant Magruder.

I want to keep advancing, with
the cannon and ammunition.

I can control the noise
of men, not animals.

Dismount and return to training.

Prepare to disassemble!

Disassemble!

There is no reason for me
to tell you my intentions.

However, I chose to do so.

I will attack these savages,
with this reduced detachment...

because my purpose is, to
overcome them by surprise...

and not by numerical superiority.

From now on, no man will
speak louder than a whisper.

This is my order.

Mr. Caldwell, issue a march order.

Yes sir.

Attention!

Thank you, Mr. Caldwell.

Your arm broke, Major.

Put it in the wagon.

Let's move on, Mr. Caldwell.

You know what?

All this is making
me stay ambitious.

You, ambitious?
What you mean?

Yes, it's the first
time in my life,

that I would like an
Officer in charge.

How is he, Mr. Caldwell?

You're on fire, sir.

Major?
Yes, Corporal?

Sorry for yelling.

I did not know, what I was doing.

It's okay, son.

Mr. Caldwell, please
remind the men...

that any future incident
could endanger...

the success of this whole operation.

Sergeant Magruder?
Yes sir.

When they have cleaned, the
equipment satisfactorily...

have them eat and rest, as
comfortably as possible.

Yes sir.
And Sergeant.

Please tell the men, I'm
satisfied with them.

Thank you sir.

Mr. Caldwell.

Yes sir.

How long will it take us to reach
the village of the Seminoles?

In the next step, I think...

How much, Mr. Caldwell?

One more day, at most.

As you can see, Mr.
Caldwell, so far...

we have advanced as I had
predicted in my plan.

Bear in mind that the Indians of
the swamps are no different...

of the forest Indians.

And I do not feel sorry for them.

Major?

I suggest you allow the soldiers
to loosen their collar.

Do not you know the rules, Mr.
Caldwell?

Quicksand!
Quicksand!

I want that gun.

Come on.

Get that gun.
Throw me a rope!

Here it is!

Watch his arm.

He is alive?

Yes sir.

Mr. Caldwell.

The order was to save the cannon.

I thought it was more
important to save a life.

And endanger those of the
other twenty men, Lieutenant?

That cannon was for
our protection.

All right, we'll
hide in the jungle.

In training immediately.
Prepare them to march.

They are ready, sir!

Rest.

Each time it displeases to him, more
to have to attack these Indians.

It is noted as we move forward.

All I ask is a chance to
resolve this peacefully.

This is what we would all like.

Well, almost everyone.

I never took part in such
a risky expedition. Yes.

We can choose to die drowned, sweaty
or in the hands of the Indians.

Who says we'll be lucky
enough to meet the Indians?

He went mad because of the fever.

Bind him and gag him.
Gag it?

Lord, with this fever...
I know, Mr. Caldwell.

Gag it!

How to fight the swamp?

Mr. Caldwell.

Mr. Caldwell!

Are we still far?
No sir.

We'll send scouts.

Magruder!
Magruder!

Magruder!

Magruder, explore the terrain.

You, that someone accompanies you.

Yes sir.

Mr. Caldwell, please,

Have the men clean their weapons.

Yes sir.

Mr. Caldwell.

Please sit down.

Allow me.

Before you find these savages, have
you checked if your saber is sharp?

Major!

We found them, Major.
They are celebrating something.

There is no doubt, sir.
They are Seminoles.

Very well.

Mr. Caldwell, let's take
a look at the enemy?

What do you think, Mr. Caldwell?

It's not a war dance,
it's more like a party.

They do not know we're here.

I bet not.

Let's wait, lie down.

Then we will fall on them
and exterminate them.

At dawn we will return home.

We're ready, sir.

Good.
Good.

What shall we do
with the Cape, sir?

We will pick you up
after the attack.

Load it again!

They fled!

They fled!

Why do not you come back and fight?

Why not...?

They saved him.
They saved the lieutenant.

Good for him. Let's try
to save ourselves, too.

You are the boss...

Osceola?

Are you Osceola?

Do not move, Lieutenant...

the leaves and the clay will
absorb, the venom of their wounds.

Why did they spare me?

I ask the same question.
Because?

Maybe as a hostage.

Or perhaps because my mighty Chief
has white blood in his veins.

Why did we save this man?

I am your leader and do not
have to give you explanations.

His confidence in this soldier
caused my father's death.

I demand revenge!

If my acts offend my people, I
will respond to the Council.

Now go!

How do you feel, Lance?

John?

Why did not you let
me die with my men...

as a soldier?
I do not know.

I do not know why they
did not kill him.

The blood of my people
is in your hands.

You are responsible
for this massacre.

Massacre?

Yes, I only wanted peace.

His soldiers were the
first to attack.

I was hoping that I would
contain my warriors...

after what have you done?

Why did not you listen to Revere?

Revere?

She went to him to explain
to him, my peace plan.

I only saw her once...

and she did not tell me anything.

John...

Are you and Revere?

Who knows?
Who knows anything?

Rest, Lance, we'll talk later.

It's ok.

This report is not good, Captain.
It is not good.

But, they all demonstrated
the highest efficiency.

These men have been working hard.

Not enough.
Double instruction time.

Major, I do not think we should...

Double the time of instruction, Captain!

Yes sir.

That's all, Lieutenant.
Yes sir.

MS. Muldoon?
Yes.

Please.

MS. Muldoon...

This is a copy of the letter I
sent to the War Department...

before undertaking a
recent expedition.

A part of her interests you.

"Lieutenant Lance Caldwell..."

"has been demonstrating an attitude
at odds with this authority..."

"and on several occasions
he was rebuked..."

"for expressing opinions..."

"about what he calls an unfair
attitude toward the Seminoles."

Keep saying that the
Lieutenant has been seen...

in company with one
Revere Muldoon.

The explorers report that Ms.
Muldoon...

has visited the Osceola camp.

That's true, Miss. Muldoon?

I have no idea what
you're talking about.

When you came here looking
for Lieutenant Caldwell...

rode one of our horses,
stolen by the Seminoles.

Do you have any comments on this?
Muldoon?

Major, I was brought here
without any explanation.

I want to know now,
what is all this.

I suspect Lieutenant
Caldwell and you...

be in agreement with the enemy.

This is absurd!

Sit down.

Sergeant Magruder!

Sergeant.

Sergeant, this is Miss. Muldoon.
How are you?

How are you?
Tell him about Lieutenant Caldwell.

The lieutenant was with the
expedition that was...

exterminated by the Seminoles.

Major here, Private Scott

and I, we were the only
ones, managed to survive.

And Lieutenant Caldwell?

A strange thing, madame, is that
before we begin, Lieutenant...

The facts, the facts!

He's fine, now, I guess.

He was wounded while
covering our retreat.

But they saved him.

I could see when they took him.

And as for the others, Magruder,
have the Indians spared anyone else?

No, sir, as I told you, only him.

Mrs.

MS. Muldoon...

a military man in charge
must change tactics...

to resolve, a military situation.

I decided to solve this matter
of the Seminoles at once...

peacefully, making a pact
with Osceola myself.

You are the only person who can go to
the village of the Seminoles. Go there.

If you and Lieutenant Caldwell
can convince Osceola...

to come and talk to me

it will dispel my
suspicions of your loyalty.

And what will happen to Osceola?

MS. Muldoon, he'll come
here with a flag of peace.

And if I refuse...

What would that mean for you?

More troops coming, to Fort King?

Maybe the command change. Perhaps.

Possibly it would be the ruin
of my entire military career.

If that happened, Miss.
Muldoon, it would mean...

prison for you and Martial
Court, for Lieutenant Caldwell.

When you think you can leave?

I'll go in the morning.

I'll make the necessary arrangements.

John, I'm sorry I disappointed you.

A lot of blood was shed
and there were many dead.

But I bring a message from the
Army, They make a peace offer.

Peace?

John, I know Lance is here.

I need to talk to both of you.

He's in my tent.

I hope you will soon get
out of your wounds.

Revere, I told you everything.

I'll go to him.

I'll come later.

You'd better talk to them first.

Throw.
Hi, ah...

It's good to see you're fine.

I thought my injuries
could be a solution...

convenient for you and John.
I should die.

Some things for us
take time to forget.

He said he sent for me.
What happened, Revere?

I arrived an hour late.

Okay, it's done.

There is nothing left to say.
Throw...

the Army knows it's alive.
The army?

How could they know?

Sergeant Magruder, Scott, and
Major escaped with their lives.

The sergeant saw when,
they saved him.

So, they think, I'm a traitor.

I told you I'd be better off dead.

No man is better off
dead, my friend.

Listen, Lance, the Major
wants to end the fight.

That's why I came.

Yes, he asks you to take it,
John under a white flag...

to discuss peace.
Discuss the peace?

Do not you see?
Must come back.

You have to face reality, Lance.

Many things have happened, I do
not believe there can be peace.

But I have to believe,
that is a chance of peace,

for our people.

Let's go back.

My people...

there are many causes of
bitterness between us and whites.

And even if it is not
easy to forget them...

they beckon us with another
chance to negotiate peace.

I'll try again, their
hands in peace.

His hands are armed as ever,
and ready to exterminate us.

I have the word of your leader.

I'm going to Fort King.

Pray that everything will go well.

I'm Lieutenant Hamilton.
Major's order, sir.

Change your uniform, please, and
introduce yourself to your office.

The Chief will come with me.

Thank you, Lieutenant.
You'll be fine, John.

At your disposal, Lieutenant.

They beat Osceola and threw
him into the dungeon.

Osceola in the dungeon?
Who gave the order? Degan?

Stay away and open up.

I have order...
I said open it!

Bring the ladder here.

John, what did they do to you?

They wanted me to
sign the surrender,

of my people unconditionally...

and I refused.

Are you seriously injured?

I think so, Lance John...

Do you think I betray you?

What does it matter who betrayed me?

Your Major is a fool, Lance.

This will make my people
decide to continue the war.

Wait, Lieutenant, I'm going to announce it.
Major Degan.

Here it is customary to announce the
visits of the subordinate Officers.

Osceola was betrayed
under, the white flag.

If you want to make any
comments, be more respectful.

The message you sent was a trap.

Osceola violated the truce.

I made him an offer of
peace and he refused.

She refused because
she gave him no hope.

Do you forget that a whole patrol
was decimated by these savages?

I suffered a defeat
at Osceola's hands...

the first defeat in
my entire career.

Now he's my prisoner.

You have lost all sense
of honor and decency.

His sense of honor and decency is
not recognized by this command.

Good day sir.

Osceola came because he
had confidence in me.

And it will leave here as
it arrived, with dignity.

Good day sir.

If he offers you good
conditions, he will accept.

I will not offer you anything.

Remember that this is
territory, the United States...

and I am responsible,
for your protection.

And now, get out of here
first, have him arrested.

I see your sense of duty
turned into hatred...

which made him lose his mind.

Blame the Seminole people for a
defeat for which he is responsible.

And now, this!

Free Osceola.

Get out that door.

I demand that you release Asceola!

Do you require it? Since arriving,
you have discussed my orders...

and even intended to give them to me.

You do not deserve to be an Officer.

Let me remind you one more time.
This is my command...

and I'll keep it up, when I can.

You're sick, Major.
Seriously ill.

Hunm...

I know what you'd like.

But I will not put, hands on you.

Now, give me that back.

The only way to get
it off my shoulder,

will be sending me
to a Martial Court.

Okay, I'll give it to you.

And I'm going to send him to the Martial Court.

Sergeant Smiley!

Oh, Lieutenant!
Lieutenant Caldwell.

Sorry, it's Major's orders.

He had him arrested,
in his lodging.

The rains...

started. Come on, Lieutenant,
let's go inside.

Kajeck.
We've waited too long.

The white man came
back to cheat us.

Kajeck, I am your leader.
You are not a leader.

I will not allow you to
lead us to disaster.

Listen to me, Kajeck.

Hurry up! I do not think Osceola
will be alive in the morning.

Who is on guard?
Do not fear, everything is arranged.

You must believe, you
must have faith! Words!

The words killed my father and
destroyed you. Look at you!

They will not destroy, my people.

I will not wait.
Kajeck!

Kajeck!

Kajeck.

Kajeck.

Lieutenant, I thought
you were in jail.

Did this Indian kill the sentry?

No, Sergeant.
Osceola is dead.

I hope you know, what
you're saying, Lieutenant.

Because then, it could
only have been you.

Just me.

Gentlemen, everything
I've told you is true.

Lieutenant Caldwell, this
Court has promised you...

a fair and impartial trial.

You offered this court very
little to be considered.

I know, sir.

You said that this Indian
killed the sentry...

to be able to enter the
dungeon where Osceola was?

Yes sir.

But we believed that Osceola was
loved and respected by his people.

The doctor says Osceola
died of drowning.

Clearly it was not
Seminole who killed him.

I fought him, trying
to protect the Chief.

The sergeant of guard, who
found him declared...

who saw no trace of Indians
when they reached the dungeon.

Is there any way to make
this Indian appear?

No, sir, no way.

That's why I have no evidence.

I confirm what I
said, nothing else.

Major Degan, filed suit
against Lieutenant Caldwell?

When I understood that the violation,
of the conduct proper to a soldier...

on the part of Lieutenant Caldwell,
included murder and treachery...

I considered it my duty
to draw attention...

of the War Department.

The letter I have is a copy of the
letter sent by Major to Washington...

reporting all of the crimes
committed by Lt. Caldwell.

Did something happen that forced
the Major to send this letter?

Yes sir.

Before calling me, the Major
spoke to Lieutenant Caldwell...

and reproached his
attitude with a patrolman.

Something about the Lieutenant telling
his men, not to kill the Indians.

Can you say that Lieutenant Caldwell
was in agreement with the enemy?

Well, that's a difficult question...
Answer yes or no.

Well, yes or no?

Yes.

You were the sergeant of
the guard, in the night,

that the sentry was killed?
Yes sir.

How was he killed?
With two stab at the back.

And you found a knife?
Yeah, a little later.

We found it in a well
near Lieutenant Caldwell.

It's just, Sergeant.
The accusation is over.

Well, gentlemen, let's
make a decision.

Write your verdict on
these sheets of paper.

Guilty or innocent.

May the accused rise
and go forward.

Mr. Caldwell, this
Court, found you guilty.

You will be taken to the
firing squad and executed.

We're ready to go, Mr. Caldwell.

Allow me, sir.

So?

Attention!

That will not be necessary.

Go on with the execution.

Prepare!

To point!

Guards!

The fort is surrounded.

My voice needs to be heard.

I will enter through the gate.

Throw your sabers.

I came to get Osceola's body...

and talk to the one
who is in charge.

I am the Commander.
Speak!

I am Kajeck, leader
of the Seminoles.

The white Maldoon
woman was at my camp.

She told me about this Officer.

I killed the sentry.

I wanted to take Osceola away.

He was blinded and weakened
by his promises and betrayal.

A Boss needs to be strong.

Strong to face the enemy, always.

And you should not rely
on a fake white flag,

that curls in the wind!

Mr. Caldwell?
Yes sir.

Is this the warrior you spoke of?

Yes sir.

Kajeck...

Why did you come to
us to plead guilty?

We, Seminoles, are a proud people.

No white man should
carry my brother.

Now let's take him home.

Take your boss...

and when, time heals the wounds...

maybe we can talk again.

In using my assignments...

I declare that the charges
against you have been dropped.

And be sure that I will
personally investigate...

the testimony of Major
Degan in this case.

Thank you sir.

This is good.

Get the bossa boss!

Attention!
Sense!

Well, Lieutenant.
Yes sir?

Maybe it's the beginning
of a new way of life.

I hope so, sir.

I know this people well...

and I believe they
want to live in peace.

Dismiss the troop!

Troop, dispense!

He was a great man.

He loved his people.

He loved all people, Lance.

That's why it was great.