Bonanza (1959–1973): Season 13, Episode 24 - A Place to Hide - full transcript

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Here we go.

Oh, thank you.

There's some benches inside,
Mrs. Summers.

You take a seat
while I unload the baggage.

Thank you.

Excuse me, ma'am?

Would you be Rose Beckett?

- Why, yes, I am.
- Ah, good.

I'm Hoss Cartwright,
I'm Ben Cartwright's son.



Oh, I'm delighted to meet you.

Glad to meet you, ma'am.

Uh, that shotgun out there
referred to you as Mrs. Summers.

That sort of threw me for a minute.

Oh, well, well, I'm Rose.
And this is my daughter, Bluebird.

Howdy.

Uh, could couldn't your father come?

No, ma'am, he sort of deputized me.

But he'll be back at the ranch
by the time we get there.

Oh, it'll be good to see him.

Yeah, well,
can we get your bags and go?

Well, I'd like to send
a telegram before we go.

We only have two bags.

Bluebird knows which ones they are,
she could show you.



Oh, fine. Come on, Bluebird.

My, what a pretty name you got
for such a little gal.

I, I'd like to send a telegram, please.

All righty.

Traffic's a little heavy here today,
but we'll get it through for you.

- Ah.
- Where's it going?

To Mr. Mosnar M-O-S-N-A-R,

Fort Baker, Nevada.

Just say: "Arrived safe and well."

And how do we sign it?

"Love, Katie."

All right, as soon as
this line comes open,

we'll send it right off.

Who's that, Mr. Liscomb?

He one of that Ransom Gang?

I ain't heard anybody
ask who you are, friend.

Got the message.
She's at the Ponderosa.

Is that McCleod?

Yes, sir. She's here.

And I was holding
your mother on my knee,

just the way I'm holding you
on my knee now,

and she was just a little girl, too.

- She was six years old.
- I'm almost seven.

Oh, well, I think your mother
was exactly six.

And she looked at me with
great big tears in her eyes.

And I said, "You're not
afraid of me, are you, Rosie?"

And she didn't answer,
she was so shy.

And then Uncle Ben
made a funny face,

and I started to laugh.

Why don't we go in the other
room, give Hop Sing a chance?

- I'll help, Hop Sing.
- No, no, no.

- You go inside with Uncle Ben, dear.
- All right.

Oh, Jamie, I've got a great
idea for our young visitor.

You know that big stack of
picture books in your room?

Um, yes, sir,

but I've got an awful lot
of homework to do tonight.

Oh, that's too bad.

Just when there's a lovely
young lady to entertain, too.

Well, they'd be kind of old for her.

I'm six going on seven, Mr. Cartwright.

All right, you come with me.

But you don't have to call me
Mr. Cartwright.

You can call me Jamie.

Boy, he really didn't want to
have to bother with Bluebird.

- I had a feeling he didn't.
- She's a pretty little girl,

- though, isn't she?
- Yeah.

- Her mother's pretty too.
- Yes, she is.

Yeah, there's one thing
that puzzles me about her.

- Only one?
- Yeah.

If she's on her way out to California
to live with relatives...

Oh, wait a minute, the letter
said she was on her way west.

Well, whatever
but to live with relatives,

and that's what puzzles me.

I mean, there ain't nobody
mentioned a Mr. Summers yet.

Well, I imagine, uh,
she will when she's ready to.

Shh, she's asleep.

Arithmetic.

They always say how rough
and ready boys are.

I always marvel at their tenderness.

Mmm.

- Mommy! Mommy!
- It's all right.

It's all right, it's...
Oh, it's all right, Bluebird.

I'm here, you're safe.

I thought the bad men got me.

Oh, no, darling, it's Uncle Ben, look.

He loves you.

You're safe and you're loved.

Go back to sleep.

She'll be all right.

Ben, I can't thank you enough
for making us so welcome.

Well, you haven't even said
how long you're going to stay.

- Well, I don't know, Ben.
- Well, if it's a matter

of being more comfortable,
there's a room right next door

- you can use as a sitting room...
- Could we talk about it tomorrow?

I'm just so tired.

Of course.

But just as you told your daughter,

you're safe and you're loved.

Going out to lunch.

Say half an hour.

Roger.

I think he made a copy of the message
sent to that Mr. Mosnar at Fort Baker.

And I know darn well
he copied this one.

Calls himself Brown.

Well, Chad, there's an awful
lot of Browns, you know?

Ah, he claims to be
a company inspector.

Even showed me a letter.

But Sheriff, I've had
inspectors come and spend

three or four hours,
not three days.

He's been over everything
in that office, some of it twice.

That ain't normal, is it?

Well, you'd know more
about that than I would.

Mosnar. M-O-S-N-A-R is Ransom.

R-A-N-S-O-M. That's clear.

Either that telegrapher
at Fort Baker

was completely fooled,
or he's in with 'em.

Could Ransom have a telegrapher
with him to tap the line?

Every telegrapher has
a style of his own,

and this came in the hand
of the man at Fort Baker.

If it's an imitation,
Ransom's got a real good man.

And their cleverly
coded rendezvous

their "Christmas Tree"
that's somewhere,

- between here and Fort Baker?
- Yes.

And anywhere up to a six hour ride,
either side of that telegraph line.

Well, we've just got to keep
watching and following...

Mr. Brown? I'm Sheriff Coffee.

Well, what can I do for you, Sheriff?

Well, I understand
that you're an inspector

for the telegraph company,
and I'd like to see your credentials.

Sheriff Coffee, step in, if you please.

How did you find us here?

Oh, just asking a few of
the right questions, I guess.

May I ask your interest in
Mr. Brown's activities?

I think you've got the
shoe on the wrong foot, mister.

It's Major. Donahue.

Provost Marshal's office,
Washington, D.C.

- Mmhmm.
- This is Sergeant Brown,

Trooper Twohy, Trooper Spence.

Welcome to
my jurisdiction, gentlemen.

Our business in Virginia City
is strictly confidential.

We're in pursuit of an elusive
and dangerous criminal gang

specifically, of its leader,
a fugitive from Federal justice.

No such thing around here.
If there was, I'd know about it.

You know about the Ransom gang?

Yeah, Arizona, Mexican border.

The Ransom gang
is in Nevada, Sheriff.

We've intercepted their messages.

Sgt. Brown is a specialist.

Gee, that's good to know.
I, I'd better...

Do nothing. I know Cody Ransom.

From personal contact and years
of watchful waiting.

If he discovers me
before I take him,

I assure you, he is vicious.

He will wreak his vengeance on
the innocent and the helpless.

I've heard a lot of stories
about that gang, but...

I have federal troops
at my disposal, should I need them.

In the interest of the safety
of your people,

I ask you officially, Sheriff,
to do nothing,

say nothing to anyone
that would expose my position.

You understand?

Well, I understand,
but why Virginia City?

I was going to ask you
that question myself.

- You know the rancher Cartwright?
- Yes.

Is there any question of his
loyalty or his obedience to law?

You don't think he's mixed up
in this, do you?

I know he is. I make no charge.

He is involved,
either as a coconspirator,

or as a victim of conspiracy,
and potentially of violence.

Bluebird?

Ben, Jamie, have you seen Bluebird?

Oh, she's been playing
around here all morning.

- Yeah.
- Bluebird?

Find her for me,
would you, would you?

Maybe she's around back. I'll look.

- Bluebird?
- She can't be far.

Here she is.

There.

Please don't shout.

I'm sorry. You know
your mother is calling you.

I know, I could hear her.

Well, why didn't you answer her?

That's all right.

Darling, it's time
to wash up for dinner.

Can I take my rabbit?

Uh, I'll tell you what, Bluebird.

I think the rabbit wants to
stay here with its mother.

Look, let's us go in and eat

and then after you get
done eating we'll come

and pay him a visit, all right?

- All right.
- All right.

Rose?

If you need some help,
and I think you do,

all you have to do is tell me about it,
but you must do that.

Ben, for six years,
I've been picking up the pieces

of a life the war destroyed.

I just about got it all back,
and you are helping.

That's all I can
tell you except that...

Well, I've seldom been
as happy as I am now.

She's not wanted
in the state of Nevada.

I checked that out just in case.

And the way she's been
described by Plummer

and the station agent,
she's a a woman of quality.

Well, of course she is. Highest quality.

I can't figure her being mixed up

in any kind of criminal activity,
that's ridiculous.

Those monkeys just followed
her out to Virginia City,

and I don't have any doubt in the world
that they followed me right out here.

Well, sure, they mentioned my name,
that brought you out here

hoping to start some kind of activity.

That's about the size of it.

Doggone it, Bluebird, come on!

Doggone it, Bluebird,
now, where are you?

Come on oh! Ha, ha!

Now, I'm coming to get you.

You had a visitor.

Yes, the sheriff.

He rode out from town
to bring this to you.

The sheriff?

All this way?

There's a man in town,
name of Donahue.

Donahue.

Yes, Major Donahue.

Oh, dear heaven.

All right, Rose Beckett
or Katie Summers,

or whoever you are...

let's get to the truth of it.

I'm Cody Ransom's wife.

I see.

And why didn't you
tell me this before?

Why don't you tell me what you
know about Cody Ransom's gang?

Nothing good.

Well... what would you have said

if I had written you and asked
if I could stay in your home

while I waited for a message
from its heartless leader?

Would have been the truth,
I could cope with that.

Cody Ransom is not an outlaw.

And that is the truth.

And he is not the leader
of a vicious gang.

He's a fugitive, Rose, you know that.

Otherwise, there'd be no need
for your deception.

I use another name
because I have to.

Technically, he's an outlaw.

I'm not married to a technicality, Ben.

I know the man.
I know him and I love him.

Why were you so upset earlier
when you couldn't find Bluebird?

And who's this bad man
she's so afraid of?

Major Henry Donahue.

You knew he followed you here?

Oh, no, Ben.

I would never knowingly
have brought this on you.

I thought I was safe.

I've lived in dread of
Henry Donahue for years.

I, I tried to caution Bluebird

without making her afraid, but...

well, she's such a sensitive child.

How long is it since
you've seen Ransom?

A little over six years.

And you're so determined
to effect a reunion

with your husband,
that you'd expose

your daughter to this?

Ben, I've taken advantage of you
and it's too late to apologize for that.

But don't reproach me with my child.

I've had to teach
Cody Ransom's daughter

never to mention his name,
but to know it,

because it's an honorable name.

I have faith in my husband.

I'm not doing this for myself.

But Bluebird has
a right to know her father

not what people say he is,
not what I say he is

but to know her father.

No matter what he's become?

Ben, I'd like to show you something.

Well, are those the letters of
a man who pillages and murders?

No, they're the letters
of a lonely man

who obviously loves you very deeply.

But they don't disprove his reputation.

You won't take my word?

The only evidence
you have to the contrary

are the stories you've heard.

What about this telegram?

"Meet me by the Christmas Tree."

Where is the Christmas Tree?

I'm sorry, I can't tell you that, Ben.

Now, Rose...

it's either me or Donahue.

He'll follow you if you go there now.

Oh, Ben.

It's not your problem.

Well, yes it is at least
in Donahue's mind, it is.

Are you saying
you believe me about Cody?

Rose, Cody Ransom

doesn't mean a thing to me.
You do.

I'd have helped you in any case.

Oh, Ben.

Now, where is the Christmas Tree?

Do you know a a crossroads
called Liscomb Station?

I can find it.

Now, tell me the whole story,

right from the beginning,
the whole thing.

Well, when the Yankees
captured New Orleans in 1862,

they made General Butler
a military governor.

And, uh, he started a
blackmarket business.

Oh, yes, yes. Wellknown story.

Well, he was getting very rich,
and I knew it

'cause of Daddy's bank, so...

Well, I wrote some letters
to Washington, and...

They tried me and
convicted me of sedition.

Major Donahue
was the Provost Marshal

and... I was pregnant with Bluebird.

He locked me in a cabin.

Cody found out where I was, and...

Ransom raided across
the river and got Rose out.

But Donahue charged him
as an enemy agent.

He was tried and sentenced
to death in absentia.

By the end of the war,

Ransom was a colonel
of his regiment.

But with the conviction
hanging over his head,

he wasn't about to surrender,
and he took his men to Mexico.

Yeah, Pa, those kangaroocourt
convictions of Butler's,

will they stand up?

Rose thinks the government
has some other grievances, too.

The whole thing has to be clarified

by Sheridan's headquarters
in St. Louis.

Well, why don't we get word to him?

We will, and to Ransom, too.

But we have a little problem here.

Sheriff Coffee is sure
the ranch is being watched.

They're sending a courier.

I'll follow him, you go back into town
and tell the major.

You looking for me, friend?

Wasn't going to ask you to drop that,

but now that you've got your
hands full, why don't you let it

slide right down on the ground?

Come on, drop it.

Now, you and I can ride
to Carson together.

Yeah?

Howdy.

You got me up from my nap.

I'm sorry, bad timing, I guess,

but I've come a long way.

You may be able to help me.

I've got a letter here for Cody Ransom.

Mmm. Ransom, huh?

Hey. hey! One of you named Ransom?

There's a fella in here,
he's got a letter for a Cody Ransom.

He ain't here.

Whiskey's $1 a drink.

- First, my horse.
- That's $20.

I don't aim to sell him.

I just want a stall and some hay.

Well, that's ten for the stall
and that's ten for the hay.

He'll eat grass.

Don't move.

I'll see that letter... please.

If you're Ransom, I'm a friend.

Friend or a dead man, ain't
nobody around here gives a dang.

Now, show the letter.

Slow.

Take it out.

Stand easy.

Detail, halt.

Prepare to dismount.

Dismount.

Sergeant, reporting
mission accomplished.

Appears like you boys made
a real good haul today.

Well, Sergeant, now, you lookie here.

We got us a big fat chicken.
We got taters, onions.

Yes, sir, there's even a squash
to bake up there for the Colonel.

Won't no man go hungry tonight.

Sorry Thib,
it's purely all we could get.

It's all right.

I believe we might be able
to eat a little squash.

You make the entry, will ya?

Mr. Cartwright.

Yes?

Rose Beckett once told me

you survived the wreck of a ship
belonging to her uncle.

Yes, sir.

The Antelope Packet, 300 tons,
off the coast of Calle del Fuego

Please, come in, sir.

You don't let on to what
you seen out here, hear?

What have I seen out here?
Is this the Ransom gang?

To him, it's the 19th Regiment,
Arkansas Mounted Rifles.

He's done led us through
hellfire too often to recollect,

and we're all of us counting
on him to bring us home.

Understand?

No, I don't quite understand.

He reckons he done
brought us up from Mexico

to make a formal surrender

of the colors and regiment,
with honors.

That's how he keeps his strength up.
We help him to pretend.

You have something else in mind?

Yes, sir.

Seeing he gets to that
wife and child of his.

Mr. Cartwright.

I think I can help you with that,
that's what I'm here for.

I'll talk to the colonel first,
and then we'll discuss a plan.

Mr. Cartwright?

I'm one of 'em, yeah.

Sergeant Brown,
Provost Marshal's office.

You step outside, sir,
speak to Major Donahue?

Well, now, there's only
four men down there, Bluebird.

And you know how big and strong
my brother Hoss is.

Yes, he's very strong.

Yeah, well, come here
and take a look.

See?

Nobody's gonna get past him.

Well, these papers pretty well
clear up any question

as to who you are
and why you're here,

but there's one thing missing, Major.

A warrant.

I'm giving you the opportunity
to cooperate, Mr. Cartwright.

Return a woman to me
that escaped my custody in 1862.

You've been watching us
all along.

I wonder why you're
just now making a move.

Well, I didn't know
until Trooper Twohy

returned from Carson City
this morning

the extent to which you
people were conspiring.

How come you don't just
arrest us all then?

I could easily arrest your brother,

for taking Trooper Twohy to
Carson City at gunpoint.

And if your father's gone to the
rendezvous in the woman's place,

that makes him accessory
to Cody Ransom's crimes,

and also subject to arrest.

Mmhmm, that is unless
I turn the lady over to you.

Exactly.

Yeah.

Well, Major, the route that
my little brother takes

to Carson City is all on the Ponderosa.

And so would any vantage point
that you might have used

to have spied on this house.

What are you implying?

I'm not implying anything.
I'm telling you.

You and your men are
all guilty of trespassing.

I see.

You're determined to defy me.

Nope, not at all.

You come back here with a warrant
a legal warrant, mind ya,

I'll be more than happy
to cooperate with you.

In the meantime, I'll expect you
as an officer and a gentlemen

by an act of Congress
to get yourself and your men

off of this property and stay off.

Good day, gentlemen.

The bad men were here,
but they didn't get past brother Hoss.

Yes, I know. I saw them running.

- Any news from Joe?
- Not yet.

- Did you find the colonel?
- Is he all right?

Yes.

I gave him directions to
Badger Camp on the South Ranch

and came on ahead.

He'll start travelling tonight.

We should meet him in the morning.

Oh, Ben.

All right, let's get
in the house, everyone.

Mrs. Ransom is right behind me.

Would you notify
the colonel, please?

Yes, sir.

All in!

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Attenhut!

Colonel, sir.

Bluebird, this is your father.

Mistress?

Did you hurt your foot, sir?

Yes yes, I did.

Do come in.

At... At ease.

I hurt my foot once.

You did? My goodness, how?

Well, I was running and
I stepped on a big old stone.

And I never go barefoot anymore.

- Do I?
- Well, hardly ever.

Bluebird, open the box
at the foot of my bed

and see what's right on top.

- Daddy, what's her name?
- I don't know.

Is it a Mexico name?

Do you know about Mexico, Bluebird?

I just know that it's far away,
and it's where you were.

Well, the families where
we lived worked very hard.

Even the children do.
And still, they're very poor.

So, the fathers make the
playthings for their children.

And one of the fathers
showed me how to make

a little doll out of straw, for you.

Are you very poor?

Bluebird... I am the richest man alive.

- How did he get wounded?
- He didn't say.

Fever hit him pretty hard,
right after we crossed into Nevada.

Being out of Arizona and all,
we reckoned we could stop

at this little old ranch
and ask for help.

Scared the rancher,
just the looks of us.

He opened fire,
and we turned tail,

but his first shot got the colonel.

Ain't but a scratch, but his body

ain't got the strength no more
for the cussed thing to heal.

I could ride and get a doctor, Pa.

I think it would be
faster to get a doctor

if we went right to Virginia City.

That'd be the fastest way
to get to Donahue, too.

Well, I've already
discussed it with the colonel.

But I think you two oughta know
what the alternatives could be.

Yes, sir, we do,
and we're going with him,

right to the end.

The thing that pleasures me most
is how much she reminds me of you.

It's like learning what
you were like as a baby girl

in all those years before
I knew you at all.

She's everything we wanted, Cody,

and you're everything
I promised her you'd be.

Sick and hunted.

You know what I mean.

I'm so happy for her.

I'm so much happier for myself.

Is that too vain and selfish of me?

Not as long as you let me share.

We'll rest here. I'll take care of you.

I'm a very good nurse,
I learned from the surgeons

in St. Louis and...

Please join us I was about
to ask my wife to fetch you.

Forgive me,
I know the time seems short...

Rose, I look at you now
and at Bluebird

and I find new strength.

And Mr. Cartwright has
given me reason for hope

I never expected to have.

I promised him a decision.

I've made it.

What is it, Cody?

Before he comes after me again,

I'm going to Major Donahue.

Oh, no!

Rose, look at him.
He can't go on.

I thought you'd be kind enough
to let us pretend.

No, Rose.

We joked about it a little while ago.

But I don't want to die
a hounded, hunted man.

You know that Joseph
went on to Carson City?

- Yes, to see General Sheridan, but...
- Now, we can't stop Major Donahue.

He does have legitimate charges
against the colonel.

He has not.

Yes, Rose, he has.
I've told Mr. Cartwright.

We can prevent an act
of vengeance.

Phil Sheridan's a friend.

Governor Blasdel's a friend,
both of our senators...

They're Yankees, Ben.
This is their justice.

Cody Ransom is Yankee justice.

Rose, the child.

Can hearing this be any worse
than what she's been born hearing?

What, Rose?

A vain, glorious father
who should've come home...

Cody, Cody, stop.

That's the way it looks now,
even to me,

unless I can clear the slate.

Well, it's clear to me.

You meant to make a home
for us in Mexico.

Is that all my daughter's
to have from me, then?

My past intentions and failures?

We can't let Donahue deprive her.

Cody, do you think Henry Donahue
cares one whit about Bluebird?

Do you, Ben?

No.

Colonel, I'm riding on to Virginia City.

But I'd like to borrow your ledger.

Oh, yeah, I have it in my tent.

It's all right, I'll get it.
And Hoss will lead you on in.

Look look under there
on the right.

You'll find two canvas bags.

- Oh.
- That's Mexican silver.

It's not worth much,
but it's all I could salvage

out of the last four years.

First stop we made when we
came up out of Mexico,

was to try to convert it to money.

I wanted to pay our way.

We were accused of stealing it.

We were set on by a posse.

First time in the history
of the regiment, we ran.

Retreated.

Very fast.

Now, everything we've taken since
is accounted for in our ledger.

When Mr. Cartwright returns it to you,

I want you to see
that payments are made.

The names and addresses
are all there.

Well, isn't that
something you should do?

I should, but it might
not be possible.

Excuse me, sir, but it's time to ride.

To the Commanding Officer,
Provost Marshal Station,

Carson City,
Subject: Troop assignment.

Urgent.

The troops I ordered
have not reported.

If they are not en route,
order them forward immediately.

Sign my name and send it.

Major Donahue?

You've been wanting to have a
talk with Mr. Ben Cartwright?

I certainly have.

He'd like for you to come over
to my office and have it now.

Mr. Cartwright, this is Major Donahue.

- Mr. Cartwright.
- Major.

I didn't anticipate a friendly greeting

after being ordered off
your place by your son.

Well, I hope he didn't
exceed his rights in any way.

He was cordially obstructive.

I wished only for him to cooperate.

Yes, I believe he suggested
the proper warrant.

And your younger boy
technically did kidnap one of my men.

Did you have the warrant?

On the other hand,
technically we did trespass.

Of course, that's a matter
of interpretation,

we intended no threat.

- Do you have the warrant?
- And you did harbor that woman.

Whether you conspired with her
is a matter of your intention.

Then you don't have
the warrant, Major.

I haven't applied for it.

I preferred your willing assistance.

To what end?

The apprehension and
arrest of Cody Ransom.

On what charge, Major?

Oh, come now, Cartwright.

Ben, he does have
a fugitive warrant.

I've checked it.

And Cody Ransom is wanted
in Arizona territory.

Yeah.

So, why don't we
sit down, gentlemen?

He's wanted on charges of
robbery, horsethieving,

cattlerustling, attempted murder...

Yes, excuse me here, where here.

Carrots, five cents. Squash, ten cents.

Halfold horse blanket, one dollar.

Small spade, uh, flour, sugar, salt...

Then you do know where they are.

An itemized account
of every single item

that they've taken since they
crossed the Mexican border.

But why do they keep these accounts?

- Because they mean to pay up.
- With what?

If they got money, why'd they steal?

Every time they showed their face,
somebody started shooting at them.

Yes, Major, I know exactly
where they are.

I also know they're
not the gang of criminals

that we've heard about.

They mean to make restitution
and set the record straight in Arizona.

You're guilty of conspiracy.

Yes, uh, technically.

Where is Cody Ransom?

I still haven't heard
the charges against him.

He was convicted of being
an enemy agent in 1862

and sentenced to death.

In New Orleans,
under General Butler's command.

Most of those convictions have been
overturned, haven't they, Major?

This one stands.

Maybe that's only because
this one hasn't been reviewed

by the proper authorities
in Washington.

- Here you go.
- Thank you, Joseph.

Oh, Major, this is my son
Joseph, the kidnapper.

Major.

Ah, good.

Joseph,
why don't you tell the Major

why you went to Carson City?

I went to try to confirm
the story we got

from Mrs. Cody Ransom,
or at least slow things down

until we could dig out the truth.

I have telegrams here
from both of our senators

and a letter from Governor Blasdel.

I anticipated political interference.

I've been victimized before.

I took the precaution of wiring

my commanding officer
in Washington.

Now, if you care to read the answer,
you will find my authority confirmed.

To arrest a former rebel raider

who avoided surrender by
taking his troops into Mexico.

- Which surrender, Major?
- I beg your pardon?

Well, as I recall it,

Lee surrendered on April the 9th,

Johnston on the 26th,

uh, Taylor, not until May,

and Kirby-Smith at the
end of May, I believe.

Kirby-Smith was Ransom's
ultimate commander.

Surrender is commonly
synonymous with Appomattox.

Kirby-Smith did not surrender
until May 26th, that is true.

But on the 29th of May,
on his way to Mexico,

Cody Ransom engaged in
a battle with federal troops

and stole federal goods.

Yes, we heard about that.

Yeah, I contacted Kirby-Smith.
Edmund Kirby-Smith.

He's now chancellor at the
University in Nashville.

Can I read this for you?

If it pleases you.

"Ransom's regiment
on detached service,

"January through May, 1865.

"Probable he did not
receive surrender order

"before Sunday 4, June '65."

It's a probable lie.
One rebel protecting another.

Kirby-Smith was a turncoat
a West Point graduate and a turncoat.

Why don't we cut to
the heart of the matter?

Cody Ransom is prepared
to face the charges.

Now, all he wants to do
is surrender his regiment

or what's left of it
officially and properly,

so that its colors may be retired,

and his men paroled
so that they may return home

in peace and safety.

Absolutely out of the question.

Major, his wife and child
are with him.

Why don't you receive them
with compassion, at least.

Receive them?

They're on their way here,
now, to Virginia City.

Sergeant?

Summon the men,
on the double, mounted.

Major, you'll answer for
any violence you do.

Ransom stole that
woman from under me.

He made a laughing stock of me.

I'll talk about restoring him
when my place

on the promotion roster
has been restored.

But first, I'll have him on my terms.

Forward, ho!

- Stand aside, young man.
- Major Donahue?

Move your men out of my way.

Confidential orders for you, sir.

Very well. Out of my way.

I advise the major
to open those orders.

You advise me? You popinjay.

Make that Lieutenant Popinjay, sir.

Otherwise Wells.

Aide to General Philip Sheridan,

Commanding General,
Division of the Missouri.

Now, I advise the major
to open those orders.

I'm gonna ride in with Cody Ransom.

I want a clarification of this order.
I want to send a wire to St. Louis.

I want a personal confirmation
from Sheridan himself.

If I'm going to be recalled, he... he...

Here, Major, why don't you
just write it out yourself?

Troop. Halt.

Detail, tenhut.

Do I address the officer
in command?

Yes, sir. Lt. Edward Wells,

Headquarters and Headquarters
Division of the Missouri.

On detached service, sir.

I am Cody Ransom,

Colonel Commanding
19th Arkansas Mounted Rifles.

I wish to report...

The due and directed
surrender of the officers, men,

and the military equipage
of my regiment.

Sir, you may keep your sword.

I request that the colors...

And the guidon be preserved.

Sir, I have orders here
which are to be read aloud

to you and your men.

With your permission, Mr. Cartwright.

These orders are addressed
to Lt. Wells.

"In view of its loyal
and superior service

"to the cause of the
late Confederate States,

"the surrender

"of the 19th Regiment
of Arkansas Mounted Rifles

"is to be accepted with honors,

"its colors and personal records

"to be remanded to the safekeeping

"of one of its paroled officers.

"In view of his own exemplary service,

"Colonel Cody F. Ransom is
to be received with clemency,

"and held free
on his own recognizance,

"pending full investigation
of the allegations against him."

And it's signed by...

Yes, sir,
I think the top three signatures.

Yes.

Among 20 some endorsing
signatures, Colonel,

are those of General W.T. Sherman,

General Philip Sheridan,

U.S. Grant, Commander in Chief.

All right?

Cody? Cody?

- We'll see you later then.
- Thanks again.

Is my daddy
gonna get well, Uncle Ben?

Of course he is, dear.

It's going to take a
little while though.

He's gonna bring back some
real good medicine

and a friend of his
another doctor to help him out.

I can help out, too.

Yes, he's gonna need
some good nursing,

and a lot of cheering up.

I can tell him I love him.

Well, why don't we go upstairs
and you can tell him that right now?

Yeah. Can I show him my bunny?

I think that would be fine.

Well, come on, let's go get it.

What's the matter with you men?
Hop Sing cook good food.

Come eat. Come eat.

We're ready, it's just that
our stomach's a bit balky.