North and South, Book II (1986): Season 1, Episode 4 - Episode #1.4 - full transcript

Clear sailing ahead,
general. We ought

to reach the junction
long before dark.

While you're taking on fuel and
water, I'll wire General Grant...

we'll be on our way.

Ambush. Back it up.
Rebels up ahead.

Come on, boys. Get down
there. Get out of there.

Get the prisoners on the train.

Private.

A Union general deserves a more
respectful welcome than that.

Let him up.

Colonel John Mosby
at your service.



General George Hazard.

You'll have to forgive my
men. They're mostly farmers.

But at night, they become Rangers.

They're more than just a little
upset at your General Custer...

calling them common bushwhackers.

- The passions of war, colonel.
- Indeed. He said he would hang...

my men in retaliation for all the
Yankee food and equipment...

we've confiscated. It's
fortunate for you, sir...

he has not carried out his threat,
or you might find yourself...

at the end of a rope, instead
of on your way to Libby Prison.

Good day, general.

- Let's get those guns unloaded.
- Put your back into it.

Unload them. Get to it.

Sergeant, make sure these
get to their families.



What the hell is she doing here?

Doctor, I'm sorry. This
is the best I could do.

Morphine and Dover's powder
have become quite scarce.

Captain.

Mrs Barclay, what the
hell are you doing here?

The Yankees could come back
anytime. This is dangerous.

I told you I could
take care of myself.

If you'll excuse me,
I have work to do.

Doctor, whatever you don't
use should be sent on...

to the field hospital
as soon as possible.

Unless General Lee
captures Washington,

it'll be a while before
we get some more.

Well, I never thought
I'd find you here.

Go home.

Is that all you can
say to me, "go home"?

I was expecting a warmer welcome.

Look around you, Augusta.

How do you expect anything
in the midst of this?

I at least thought
we could be friends.

Is this what you want?

Augusta.

No.

Sorry.

I'm sorry.

Fire.

It's all right. It's
all right, I'm here.

The gun. It blew up.

It's over now.

It's not over, Gus.
It never will be.

It'll go on and on
until we're all dead,

like Pell, like all
the men I've killed.

No, don't do that to yourself.

- I should have let you go.
- I want to be with you.

I may never see you again.

You're a part of me now.

I love you.

Fall in.

Sir. All present
and accounted for.

I see dusty boots, lieutenant.

I'll tolerate that at the end of
a march, but never at the start.

I'll see to it, sir.

Damn Rebels. They've
sent out snipers

again. Take a squad,
wipe them out.

Yes, sir, sergeant. Form
your squad and follow me.

They're behind us.

Damn Yankees.

Let's move out. Get out
of there. Come on.

He's dead. Come on. Come on.

Move it, move it, move it.

Cover me.

- Billy.
- Get down.

- Three snipers.
- Cover the other flank.

Might've known you'd bring
back the whole army with you.

I'm out of cartridges.

What, you planning on
throwing acorns at them?

You out too?

I made enough widows
in Gettysburg...

to last me a lifetime. One
less isn't gonna matter.

You'll wish you were
getting plugged

after the colonel
gets done with you.

Why did you ever come back, Billy?

I said I would.

That's no excuse. The
old man's fuming

because we're stuck
in our tents...

for so long, instead of
pitching into the Rebs.

- That'll come soon enough.
- Well...

Lincoln's fixing to bring that old
bulldog Grant from the West...

and sic him on Lee.

That's the kind of man
we've needed all along.

No. He'll turn tail
at Lee's first growl

and hightail it north
like all the others.

Don't you think?

- Well, don't you think, Billy?
- I don't know.

- Welcome back, lieutenant.
- Reporting for duty, sir.

Lieutenant Hazard.

You left here a deserter, and
you've come back a fool.

Leave was due me...

Lieutenant Hazard chased off
those snipers, colonel.

Don't defend him, Bodford.

I know all about men who hunger
after their wives, Hazard...

but if every officer
did what you did...

Jeff Davis would be
on a rocking chair

on the back porch
of the White House.

I know I was wrong, sir...

Wrong is not the word, lieutenant.

Stupid, foolhardy, irresponsible.
None of them do you justice.

I can't change what I did. But
I was a good officer before...

and I will be again.
Just give me a chance.

I ought to send you back in irons.

But now I'm in desperate
need of officers.

- I'm ready to fight, sir.
- You're damn right you'll fight.

I'll put you in command of
the forward skirmishers.

Sergeant Carter will have orders
to shoot you if you run again.

Now rejoin your
company, lieutenant.

And when this is over...

- you'll face a court-martial.
- Yes, sir.

- You all right?
- Fine, lieutenant.

Johnny catches us in the woods,
it'll be like blind man's buff.

We'll be on the road
to Richmond before

Lee even realises
we've moved south.

What do you think is going on?

If there were Johnnies,
we'd hear guns.

Look, there's General Grant.

So that's the hero of Vicksburg.

- He's not much, is he?
- Who asked you, Kent?

Even from here you
can see he could

butt his head through
a stone wall.

Well, if he's spoiling for a
fight, Lee will give it to him.

Which is exactly what Grant wants.

Since our Tommy can't wait
to be a real soldier...

I've got something for him.

This army got its hind end kicked

just a year ago in
these same woods.

Look what got left behind when
they were hightailing it north.

That's what happens
to little drummer

boys when they get too close...

- to those fire-breathing Rebs.
- Kent.

I can't waste any more time with
you laggards. Colonel wants me...

to post skirmishers further
out on the flanks.

Guess who's gonna make captain
first, Lieutenant Hazard.

- Forget him, Tom.
- Throw it in the woods, Tom.

No, sir. I'll give
this a proper burial.

He was a brave
soldier. I just know.

By nightfall, we'll
have the entire

army across that damnable river.

Didn't we make a deal
a few months back?

You wouldn't touch a drop
if I'd stopped cussing.

Who would be the first to jump all

over me if I fell off the waggon?

- I would.
- Enough said.

But savour this moment, general.
You've taken a winter-stale...

tentbound, half-dead army and
brought it back to life.

Excuse me, general. I'm
Crawford, New York Tribune.

Mr Crawford.

This is where Hooker almost
lost the whole war last year.

Why not march west around
Lee's other flank?

We move fast enough, we may not
have to fight in these woods.

The talk in Washington,
General Grant,

is that Lee is waiting
to give you...

the same kind of thrashing he
gave McClellan, Burnside, Hooker.

Am I leaving anyone out?

You'd like to add me to
that list, wouldn't you?

No disrespect, general, but the
mothers of the North are sick...

of sending their sons to die
in Georgia and Virginia...

just to keep the Rebels
from having a country...

Mr Crawford. Nobody is more
sick of this war than I am.

That's why we're moving south, to
end it as quickly as possible.

Lincoln said at Gettysburg we
must preserve this nation...

so a government of the
people won't perish.

You newspaper boys never paid
much attention to that, did you?

If you'll excuse me.

If Lee wants to stop
us before Richmond...

he'll have to do it
in open country.

If he catches us
in the wilderness,

we'll have to fight him.

That's right. It's not
just Richmond I want.

It's the destruction of Lee's
army. I'll fight him anywhere.

Regardless of season or weather?

Sherman goes after Johnson in
Georgia. I hammer Lee in Virginia.

Confederacy's never been
attacked on all fronts at once.

We don't confine our attacks
to the battlefield.

We go after cities,
towns, fields, factories.

You're gonna raid
behind the lines?

I plan to give Phil Sheridan the
cavalry and turn him loose.

I guess anything short
of total victory

would amount to defeat for us.

That reporter's right.
People are tired of war.

If we don't destroy
Lee's army, Lincoln

could be defeated in November...

and the Union...

gone forever.

Only unconditional surrender
will give us a lasting peace.

Kill everybody.

Kill everybody.

Fall back.

Lieutenant.

Kent.

Kill.

- Kill. Kill. Kill.
- Kent. Kent.

Kill everybody. Kill you too.

Come on, we're pulling back
before the Rebels hit us again.

Come on.

- Volunteers to man a stretcher.
- Me.

Take him out of here.

- We need a man, Tommy.
- I can do it.

All right. You'll have to
carry him a fair piece.

If you ever tell anybody
about what happened...

Kent.

I mean it, Hazard.
Not a damn word.

I'm gonna get that promotion.
Do you hear me? Do you hear?

What I hear is a man coming apart

inside. Now pull
yourself together.

Billy, let's get out
of here. There's

a whole Reb division coming at us.

Get the wounded to
safety and re-form

on the other side of Plank Road.

Grant'll have to retreat
or lose his army.

I never thought he'd
let this happen.

Sir, General Hazard's
been captured

to the west by Mosby's guerrillas.

General Hays has been killed
defending the Plank Road.

Our situation on the
right is desperate.

Sedgwick's been
flanked and routed.

They've got that whole
wing in a trap.

General Rawlins, we've
been whipped as

badly as Hooker at
Chancellorsville.

You'll have to disengage tonight.

Nonsense, colonel. We've sent
reinforcements to Sedgwick.

That's too little
and too late, sir.

Bobby Lee has surprised
us, fooled us,

chopped on us for
two bloody years.

I know that man's
ways. He'll throw

his entire force between us...

and the rapid and cut us off. He
could bag the damn Northern army.

Gentlemen.

You know I can't abide cuss words,

but this time I'm gonna use one...

because I'm damn tired of hearing

what General Lee
is gonna do to us.

Start thinking about what
we're gonna do to him.

Tell me you think
he's about to turn

a double somersault and land...

in our rear and both
flanks all at once.

Sir, the situation is desperate.

I've never been in
a fight where it

wasn't desperate at
one point, colonel.

The darkest of times...

may hide an opportunity.

We just have to find it.

Well, we may still
be able to cross the

river and head north
before Lee hits.

We will save this
army, gentlemen...

by pulling the men out and putting

them on the road
for another march.

Not north...

but south.

We have taken our
last backward step.

Slide left, head for Spotsylvania
Court House, and try again...

to get between Lee and Richmond.

Can a defeated army possibly...?

If we don't admit defeat...

we're not defeated.

General Rawlins will
give you orders.

John, I hope I'm right.

Right or wrong, sir, it could be
the turning point of the war.

Mrs Grady. Mrs Grady, madam.

I know you've been up for
two nights straight...

but Mrs Neal wanted me to wake you
as soon as the wounded came in.

I'm sorry, madam.

The worst ones go over there
near the surgeon's tent.

Careful, now. Ease him down.

Madam, this Reb looks
in a pretty bad way.

I don't think he's gonna make it.

It hurts so bad.

We don't have a bed.
Put him on the floor.

Maybe we could move one of
them that ain't hurt so bad.

I said, put him on
the floor, Mr Shain.

Yes, madam. Put him down.

Water. Please give me water.

Oh, God, it hurts so bad.

Oh, water.

Mrs Grady. Make a bed available
for this man immediately.

But first, you'll give him
water and administer morphine.

Mrs Neal, you don't
have the right.

You'll do as you're told.

Report to me when
these new men have

been attended to. Is that clear?

I realise you're working a double

shift, but that's of
your own choosing.

For some time now, Mrs Grady...

I've noticed you give inferior
care to Southern wounded.

That is not true.

I've seen it myself.
More than once.

Enemy soldiers are always the
last to get your attention.

Are you accusing me of negligence?

I have no real proof
except your attitude.

But let me warn you, if
that doesn't change...

then, in spite of our
shortage of nurses...

I will bring charges
of negligence.

For what?

For not having enough beds?

For being slow in bringing...

water to one man because
you're busy bringing it to 20?

That doesn't seem like
negligence to me.

It seems like war.

You swore to give
equal care to all.

If I see any further evidence of

your attitude toward
Southerners...

I'll do my best to have you
dismissed from the Nursing Corps.

This report says Grant has torn up

another hundred
miles of our track.

Send word to Johnson that I'll
meet him in three days...

to plan to get
reinforcements to his army.

Well, maybe you better
leave tonight, sir.

Vicksburg seems like more
of a disaster every day.

By surrendering there,
we lost Mississippi

and we saw our nation cut in two.

General Lee has enough
problems already.

Trying to replace his
losses at Gettysburg.

Sir, you all right?

- Is this General Main's office?
- You must wait outside, sir.

I'm Enos Haller. The
general sent for me.

It's all right.
Come in, Mr Haller.

Sir.

- I appreciate your coming.
- You said it was urgent, sir.

I just received this
letter from my wife.

Mr Haller, there's no way I can
search for her at this time.

So you must do it for me.

I wish I could, but...

I understand that you were
Pinkerton's best investigator.

I don't care how much it
costs, sir, you must help me.

I realise the position
that you're in, general.

Perhaps I can offer
you my services.

Thank you.

I'll give you all the
information I can...

but I suggest you
start in Charleston.

- I'll do the best I can, sir.
- I know you will.

I'm going to be leaving
you now, missus.

But me sister will
be right downstairs,

and, oh, she's a
wonderful nurse, she is.

And she'll do for you and your
young one real nice like.

Thank you, Mrs Nix.

Oh, sure. If he isn't the most
beautiful baby I ever delivered.

What's his name, missus?

Orry. Orry Nicholas.

Junior.

Oh, you're naming him
after his father?

That's right.

After his father.

Stretcher-bearers. Wounded.

Well, what do you know?

We're honoured to have us a
real live Confederate general.

Careful, now.

Take it easy, now.
Don't bounce him.

We wanna make sure we save this
one. He's for questioning.

There's a cot in the back.
I'll examine him first.

Yes, madam.

Madeline?

Mr Shain, this man needs to
go to surgery right away.

Yes, madam.

He has a high fever
and the infection

must be cut out before it spreads.

No, general, you
mustn't try to get up.

It'll be days before you're strong
enough to stand on your own.

I don't have to take
your temperature

to see that you're burning up.

Don't waste your energy talking.
You've had quite an ordeal.

Last time we were together,
you wanted to see me hung.

I want you to drink
plenty of water.

I want you to stay
in this cot until I

say you're strong
enough to get up.

Or I'll hang you myself.

Yes, madam.

Virgilia.

Thank you.

All wounded in this hospital
receive the same care.

I was just doing as I was
ordered, General Main.

You can't stop me from
being grateful, Virgilia.

You hear me, boy? You
better move, you hear me?

Or I'm gonna kick you all the
way down to Front Street.

Look at me when I'm
talking to you, boy.

Please, sir, I can't
afford to leave my family.

- They ain't got nobody else.
- Shut up and move.

Let that boy go.

- Beg your pardon, madam?
- Let him go.

You have no right to force him.

Well, I have the right to
conscript slaves anytime I want.

And I need some men to dig
rifle pits outside the city.

Well, he is just a boy.

Well, I reckon that's Mr Lincoln's
fault, ain't it, madam?

His army's freeing
all these darkies

so they can roam
all over creation.

Taking food and work
from white folk.

I refuse to argue with you,
sergeant. You are not taking him.

My father was an important
man in Charleston...

and I know a lot of
influential people.

I could make life very
difficult for you

if you insist on
conscripting a child.

Hell, he's too sick
anyway. Go on, take him.

Probably wouldn't even make it
to the lines, would you, boy?

I tell you something, madam.

I wouldn't be interfering with any

official government
business if I was you.

Because I guarantee
you'll regret it.

What are you looking
at? Come on, move.

Thank you, madam.

- What's your name?
- Michael.

Michael, where do you
live? I'll take you home.

Oh, no, madam. That
wouldn't be a good idea.

It's outside town
and not very safe.

But it's raining and you've
got a bad cough, haven't you?

Michael.

I was worried.

The soldiers almost took me, but
this lady made them let me go.

- How you feeling, Mama?
- A little better, son.

You've travelled a
long way, haven't you?

Yes, madam.

All the way from Tennessee.

They burned our master's house
down, the whole quarter.

Then they told us we was free.

Then we had to go.

We tried to find
food and medicine,

but there's not enough for us.

I couldn't find anything
again today, Mama.

No work anybody'd pay me for.

Michael, come with me. We'll
find food and medicine somehow.

But, madam, we can't
ever pay you back.

I don't want anything.

I just wanna help.

You see, I lost my home too.

Why are you looking at
me like that, Michael?

I just don't understand,
Miss Madeline.

Why you wanna spend your
money helping folks like us?

Sometimes the best way to
forget someone you lost...

is to help somebody else.

You mean your husband, madam?

- Did he get killed in the war?
- No.

I just can't be with him.

That's a true shame, madam.

Especially for a
lady as nice as you.

Hey, hold up.

Well, now, mighty fine carriage
for this neighbourhood.

Lookie here. Looks like we
stumbled across paradise, boys.

There's enough food
here for a month.

Let me go, let go.

That food is for
people who need it.

I got some bad needs
myself, honey.

You probably know
about those, though.

- You leave her alone.
- Let him alone.

You want me to wring
your neck, boy?

Now let the lady go.

Now disappear.

If I ever see either of you again,

I'll kill you. You understand me?

- You all right, son?
- Yeah.

- Did they hurt you, madam?
- No, I'm all right.

He was right, you shouldn't
be out in this area.

Camp down the road is a target
for every piece of trash around.

Men get liquored up and
come looking for women.

Is that so?

What were you doing out here?

A man of my wayward inclinations
might be found anywhere.

My name's Raphael Beaudeen,
my friends call me Rafe.

- You're Miss...
- Mrs.

Mrs Picard.

Enchanted.

Mrs Picard, may I see
you back to Charleston?

I was on my way to
the refugee camp.

And I still intend to go there.

I'll see you there and then escort

you back to town
when you're ready.

I appreciate your
helping, Mr Beaudeen...

but that won't be necessary.

I can assure you, madam,
it would be my pleasure.

Before the war, this
boarding house was known...

for the number of wealthy
men's mistresses it housed.

You're assuming I'm a...?

One of those women?

Well, if you are,
I'd never hold it

against you. You're
much too beautiful.

Well, you're wrong.

I'm no one's mistress.

I live here because it was the
cheapest place I could find.

Thank you, Mr Beaudeen.

May I see you upstairs?

I think you know better
than to ask that.

Goodbye, sir.

Goodbye, Mrs Picard. I hope
to see you again very soon.

Wherever did you meet that man?

Mr Beaudeen?

He did me a service today.

One simply doesn't
associate with him...

if one is quality.

Well, why not? Isn't he received?

Oh, it's much worse than that.

He comes from a fine
Virginia family.

Second cousins to my cousins.
That's on my mama's side.

He left the army, my dear.

Rafe Beaudeen was
a major decorated

for gallantry at first Manassas.

And then he left the army...

under very mysterious
circumstances.

Well, I'm sure he had his reasons.

But it wasn't because
he was wounded.

And he didn't go back
to his family, even

though his own brother
had been killed.

There was a rumour that Rafe was
asked to resign his commission.

Though nobody knows why.

Then it's best that
people don't speculate.

Well.

Help me, help me, help me.

Take it easy. This man needs help.

Orderly. Orderly.

- This man needs help.
- Help me.

- Easy, easy.
- Stretcher-bearers.

- Yes, madam.
- Hurry.

Tell Dr Crawford this
man is to be examined.

Doctor?

Doctor, we have another one.

All right, I'll get him.

You're very good at what you do.

You know, while I was
on the battle lines,

captain told me
they had a truce...

so they could swap
Virginia tobacco

and Yankee sugar and coffee.

What do you say? I've
been here for weeks.

Don't you think it's time we
had our own truce, Virgilia?

What do you mean?

How about exchanging
news of our families?

Back to bed, before
Mrs Neal thinks

I'm abusing a Confederate general.

- I'm too busy.
- You can imagine...

how much Brett would want to hear
anything at all about Billy.

The truth is, I have no
contact with my family.

Virgilia.

Please.

I saw Billy once
towards the beginning

of the war and he was fine.

I haven't seen his name on
any of the casualty lists.

Thank God.

- What about George?
- I don't know.

Mrs Grady?

Can I speak to you for a moment?

Excuse me.

The waggon captain's
just sent orders.

The Reb general's got to be taken
to prison camp for questioning.

That man is not to be moved until
the surgeon examines him first.

Yes, madam.

It looks like you're
not going to be

with us much longer, General Main.

I expected as much.

Well, I guess we won't have...

any more time to talk, so I...

I'd just like to say
something to you.

You should be very proud of
the work you're doing here.

And I wish you well, Virgilia.

I wish you well too, Orry.

Where you going, general?

Guard, guard.

Prisoner escaping over that
south bridge, making a break.

Your Reb general has
just hightailed it.

You can never, ever
trust a Johnny.

Come on, hurry up.

All right, get them
blue bellies inside.

- All right, let's move along.
- Off the waggon.

- Hurry up.
- Keep moving, scum.

- My God, what's that stink?
- Smells like burning tar.

To cover up the smell
of you damn Yankees.

Now hush your face.

I don't wanna hear no talking
amongst you prisoners.

Welcome.

I'm Captain Turner.

You will call me "sir."

This is Corporal Strock,
he's my right-hand man.

Your stinking carcasses
are gonna be searched...

for any weapons or money...

that you boys
might've smuggled in.

So you all got to strip down.

Now.

I see I'm gonna have to learn you
boys that I mean what I say.

You touch him, you're a dead man.

I'll crack your skull like an egg.

I believe I told
you boys to strip.

Then I take you up to
your new quarters.

Next.

Open your mouth.

I could do it with this...

but you wouldn't
have no teeth left.

Wider, wider.

Spit it out.

Spit it out.

My, my, my.

Look here.

Ten Yankee dollars.

See, you boys can't hide
nothing no place...

we ain't gonna find it.

Even if we have to
turn you inside out.

If you know what I mean.

Well, now that we are done...

with the material things...

I think it's time
we did some work...

on the spiritual.

You boys got to learn
what you are now.

You ain't officers and
gentlemen no more.

No, sir.

What you are...

is nothing.

You hear me?

You are lower than...

scum.

And you are lower than dirt.

So why don't you boys get down
on your knees in the dirt...

and show me what you are now.

Do it now.

Detachment, attention.

Who the hell do you think you are?

I'm General George Hazard.

We are Union officers...

and we should be treated that way.

- I told you to call me sir.
- You're nothing but trash.

All right, who's next?

Get down on your
knees, and do it now.

Stand up.

My, my.

That is so much better.

You boys might make live
prisoners after all.

Are you deaf, general?

I told you to get
down on your knees.

We should be treated according
to certain rules of warfare.

Who's your superior officer?

Look around, scum.

Look around, you see anybody else?

I'm the superior.

There ain't no rules
that I don't make.

Now, get down on your knees.

You keep disobeying me, general...

I'm gonna blow your guts out.

That goes for every
damn one of you.

Like I told you, general...

I'm the superior.

Mr President, the Yankees used
to call us fire-eaters...

because of our
passionate belief that

Secession was the only course...

if our Southern way of
life was to survive.

No one was more determined than I

that we be independent
of the North.

You must understand, sir,
I need to speak out...

when we see an internal
threat to our way of life.

By all means, Mr
Huntoon, speak out.

Many of us feel, sir, that you,
in the name of war effort...

trample upon the rights of the
individual Southern states.

- Go on.
- We know you're overworked...

because you gather so much power
and responsibility to yourself.

I do what I have to do.

We urge you then to delegate
some of that responsibility...

to those around you and to the
individual states themselves.

Which would be consistent with a

philosophy that
demanded Secession.

That states' rights are supreme.

What good are states' rights...

if we have no nation
to secure them?

You think that man
in Washington will

hand us our freedom
on a silver platter?

- Mr President...
- Keep your philosophy, sir.

We must first win this
bloody war as one nation.

Then we can worry about the
rights of individual states.

At the moment I have other,
more urgent concerns.

General Lee is in ill
health and discouraged.

I hope he doesn't
consider resigning.

The Confederacy is doomed
without Lee. He must stay on.

I'm sorry, Ashton.

You're always sorry. Well, sorry
doesn't butter any biscuits...

if you know what I mean.

It's just that... That
look in your eye...

like I'm not even there.

- It makes me feel...
- Don't go blaming me...

for all your failures.

I'm sorry, Ashton.

It's just that all
my life, I've had

this dream of a
glorious Confederacy...

and to see it turning
into a nightmare...

Now don't go feeling sorry
for yourself again, James.

It's just that nobody
will listen to me.

I come up with ideas and Jeff
Davis' cronies, they ignore them.

It's frustrating, Ashton.

Not half as frustrating
as you are to me, James.

Ashton?

Where are you going?

Out for a ride. I'm restless.

But it's late.

I need some fresh air, James.

Huntoon is more of a
clown than I thought.

Stop it, El.

I care about James.
I just don't see

why I have to stay married to him.

You will remain married
to him because

it is imperative to
our future success.

I'm so tired of this.

I don't see why we need James.

First of all, he's a good source
of information about the Treasury.

If our coup is to succeed, we
need to know all we can...

about what goes on
inside his government.

Your husband may be useful to
us in yet another capacity.

I've been thinking
about this since your

brother put a stop
to our blockade run.

Huntoon could make up
some of the shortfall...

if he decides to accept my offer.

- What is that?
- To be...

after we have arranged for
the demise of Mr Davis...

vice president of
my new government.

- That's perfect.
- He will finance our plans.

He'll be the scapegoat
if anything goes wrong.

And if he should
decide to interfere...

that man will never
live to see our empire.

You're so exciting, El.

You're absolutely
right about that.

It's silly to take your
money out of the bank.

Just remember to
leave mine in there.

I'm being prudent, Ashton.

Lee has too few troops to
hold Meade back forever.

They'll soon be
advancing on Richmond.

And we'll need funds
if we retreat.

Nonsense. Elkanah Bent
says that won't happen.

Bent? When did you see him?

At one of those
infernal receptions.

You remember, don't you?

Frankly, I've been avoiding him.

He says he wants to talk to me.
I'm not sure he can be trusted.

You're much too
cautious, James. He

may be important to your future.

You seem to know a lot about him.

From what I'm told,
he has influence.

Much more than those clerks that
you drag home from the Treasury.

Those men are my
friends. They're more

supportive of me than Jeff Davis.

Maybe if you stopped
arguing with the man.

James, why do you think
I give those parties?

They're for you. So you can
move up in the government.

And if that doesn't
work, then someone

like Elkanah Bent might help.

You do understand,
don't you, James?

You must seize every
opportunity in life.

Your brandy, James.

And your future.

- It is superb, sir.
- It's Napoleon.

Only the best for men like
ourselves, wouldn't you agree?

Men like ourselves?

Men with vision and courage, sir.

Men with the will and capacity to
change the world, like Napoleon.

I've never thought
of myself that way.

Of course you have. I've
heard your speeches.

You're too modest a man, James.

Others think you a man of fire.

They realise how little the Davis

government values
your great talents.

To what people do you refer?

They are men of
action. Men who just

don't deplore the government...

but intend to do
something about it.

And they have chosen
me to lead them.

You are talking about overthrowing
the government. That's treason.

Is it treason to save
the nation, sir?

I'm told Davis leans towards peace

if the war goes any worse for us.

You want to be under the iron
hand of the Union again?

Of course not.

Then help us.

Become one of us.

- I don't know if I can...
- I assure you...

there will be no
unnecessary violence.

When we put Davis
out to pasture...

and lead the Confederacy
back to strength...

you will be at the
very seat of power...

as my new vice president.

You make it sound...

You make it sound
almost patriotic.

It's more than that, James.

It's your destiny.

All right, we'll go inside now.

Hold him still.

- That's it.
- We need a tourniquet over there.

Pray for us sinners now...

I've tagged the dead.
Move them out...

to make room for the
incoming wounded.

This is almost as bad
as the wilderness.

Grant's been pushing Lee
back, but at what cost?

Put him there.

Gently now.

Right over there. Make
sure... That's right.

Easy.

Quickly, madam. Doc says his
leg's got to be clamped fast...

to stop the bleeding.

A Reb colonel. Still,
I hope he makes it.

I hope he makes it too.

I hope we all do, Mr Shain.

You all right, madam?

I never want to see another clamp.

Or surgeon's saw.

Or hospital waggon
as long as I live.

Stretcher-bearer.
Stretcher-bearer.

There's too many arriving.

Take the hopeless out. I've
already tagged them too.

Yes, madam.

Mrs Grady...

if you don't get some sleep
soon, you're gonna drop.

Stretcher-bearers.
Stretcher-bearers.

- This man is dead.
- Yes, madam.

He bled to death.

- Who attended him?
- Mrs Grady, madam.

Do you know anything about this?

No, madam.

Mrs Grady sent me to
clear out the dying.

I'm afraid I didn't see her
finish off the clamping.

Stretcher-bearers.

I don't know what you're saying.

The clamp wasn't fastened.
It was hanging loose.

Who else but you could've
been responsible?

The colonel himself. Have
you thought of that?

There's no way he could have
done it in his condition.

One of the orderlies
said you acted

strangely the moment you saw him.

He's lying.

I was just tired. You
can ask Mr Shain.

I would never murder anyone.

I don't believe that, Mrs Grady.

I think you are
capable of anything,

even the murder of a Southerner.

You should never have been
admitted to the Nursing Corps.

You are relieved of
your duties as of now.

You can't do that.

You do not have the
authority to do that.

I intend to have you
charged with murder.

The cold-blooded murder of
that Confederate colonel.

But I didn't kill him.

I am sick of it.

This is all I have.

And if you take this
away from me...

I lost Grady, and now I'm...

No, you can't.

Damn you. I won't let you.

I won't let you.

- Sir.
- Thank you.

Did you have a
pleasant evening, sir?

David, you know those
Congressional receptions.

Rumour, gossip, and
boring old dowagers.

Thank God for small consolations.

Have you drawn my bath yet?

Yes, sir. Steaming
hot, as you like it.

Thank you. You may retire.

- You have a good night, sir.
- Thanks.

Sam.

Virgilia, what the devil
are you doing here?

I bribed one of your
maids to let me in.

It's the only way I
could see you alone.

You know better than to come here.

I didn't have any
place else to turn.

Sam, I am in terrible trouble.

I was unjustly accused,
and I attacked

Mrs Neal. And I
think I killed her.

No.

She's still alive, but she has
filed murder charges against you.

I didn't kill that colonel.

Mrs Neal has wanted to get rid
of me from the beginning.

Now she's found a way.

Lower your voice.

One maid knows you're here.

There's no need for
anyone else to know.

You're carrying a weapon with you.

Doesn't exactly confirm
your innocence.

I need it for protection.

I found it in the saddlebag
on the horse I took.

Sam, please help me.

Virgilia, be sensible.

I can't involve myself in a murder

charge. It would be
political suicide.

But you have friends.

Nobody has to know that it was you
who stopped the investigation.

Virgilia, when last
I helped you...

I told you that the next
time wouldn't be... free.

Yes, I remember.

And you...

agree?

I wouldn't have come
here if I didn't.

Splendid.

The bath's already been drawn.

Sam, why don't you stay?

I'll just undress here
in front of the fire.

There... There...
There's three of them.

They got Miss Augusta inside.

We're lucky, boys.

This here's a mighty pretty one.

You're gonna be mighty sorry
you did that. Really sorry.

I'm gonna take some of
that sass out of you.

We're gonna teach
you some respect.

Sarge.

Boz.

It's all right. It's all right.

It's all right.

It's all right. Look
at me. Look at me.

It's all right.

No arguments. Drink it.

After what you've been through,
you could use something strong.

I'm not used to whiskey.

Are you sure Boz and
Washington are all right?

A few bruises, but they'll heal.

I was afraid those Yankees
were gonna kill them.

We buried those animals so deep,
no one will ever find them.

I was so afraid.

All I could think of was that I
might not ever see you again.

God, I love you.

I have from the first
moment I saw you.

Not a fit day for man nor
beast, nor even ducks.

Certainly not for our poor
fellows on the march.

No, sir. Secretaries
Stanton, Chase,

and Seward are in
the cabinet room.

And General Hazard's wife is here.

Mrs Hazard. Please come in.

Tell the gentlemen to be
patient now. I'll be along.

Mr President, an honour, sir.

It's my honour...

and my pleasure, madam,
to meet the wife of...

such a valued officer.

Although I do wish the
circumstances could be happier.

Please sit down.

I suppose you know why I'm here.

I am deeply distressed by
George's imprisonment.

Sir, I know General
Grant has refused

any further prisoner exchanges.

Not just General Grant, but
the voice of this government.

This war has got to end
just as soon as possible.

I realise that, sir.

But I was hoping you
might listen to a

wife who wants to
save her husband.

Sir, Libby Prison is a hellhole.
The conditions are terrible.

Mr President, I'm begging you.

I'm desperate. Please
get him out of there.

I can't.

If I had only George
Hazard to think about...

I would gladly offer
myself for his release.

But I am the president,
and I must hold fast.

Madam, I don't run this war.

It runs me.

Every night, I think of the
100,000 dead and wounded.

But Jeff Davis still breathes
fire down there in Richmond.

He's turned down my offers of
amnesty and reconciliation...

so we can no longer afford to
replenish Southern ranks...

by returning their
officers and men.

It's a hard war, madam.

I understand what you must be
going through. Really, I do.

But, sir, I am a wife. There must
be something more we can do.

Well, I...

I can't promise anything,
madam, but I'll try.

Thank you.

I can only ask your
prayers for George.

You have them, madam.

And my deepest gratitude...

for your family's sacrifice.

I told you, Constance.
The president

wouldn't be able to do anything.

He has a country to run
and a war to fight.

Maybe George is better
off where he is.

He won't be maimed
or killed in battle.

No. Constance is
right. Prisoners die

every day in that horrible place.

We must do something more.

Stanley...

you know many top
Northern manufacturers.

Is there any way that perhaps one

of them has a contact in Richmond?

I'll ask around. That
might take time.

Time is something your brother
may have very little of.

You know, I've been
thinking. It'll

probably take
considerable money...

but if we could get a message to
Orry. He's a high-ranking officer.

Perhaps there's something
he can do to help George.

Do you realise sending
information in

and out of enemy
territory is a crime?

I don't care what it is,
Isabel, or what it costs.

All that matters is George. We
must do everything possible.

- Mother.
- That's enough, Isabel.

Oh, Constance. Orry.
That's a wonderful idea.

And I know someone who is
sympathetic to the South...

who just might get
a courier for us.

Oh, Mother.

We're gonna show you what happens
to turncoats, ain't we, boys?

Come on, we didn't mean nothing.
Hey, honest. Didn't mean nothing.

Well, now...

what's all this?

We tried to help this boy here.

He had him backed up
against the wall.

You know what he was
fixing to do. Right, boys?

Right, boy?

I said, right, boy?

Who was it?

It was him.

My, my, general.

That ain't no way to behave.

Even dirt like you ought
to know better than that.

Guess we gonna have to
learn you a lesson.

Buck and gag him and
throw him outside.

We'll see just how
long it takes Mr...

General Hazard to break his back.

Sir.

General Lander, he's gonna
be returning next week.

I don't think you'd
want to have to

explain to him some
dead Union general.

You know how he feels about
brutality to the prisoners.

Corporal Strock, don't you
ever question my authority.