North and South, Book II (1986): Season 1, Episode 6 - Episode #1.6 - full transcript

It doesn't seem to matter now.

All those weapons destroyed.

Oh, good Lord. How we
could've used those guns.

Forgive me. I haven't been
sleeping well lately.

I understand.

Sherman is exacting a terrible
price from South Carolina...

for leading the way
into Secession.

You must be worried about
your family there.

Yes, there's been no
communication with Charleston...

since the rail lines were
cut, and that was weeks ago.

We have one small chance, Orry.



Lee is facing almost double
his number of troops.

Johnston has an even worse
situation in North Carolina.

Yes, I know. But if Lee can
slip away from Grant's army...

and join up with Johnston
over the Carolina border...

both armies combined might
be able to defeat Sherman.

Then it could head north and meet

Grant on something
like equal terms.

That'll take a lot of luck, sir.
And all the skill Lee can muster.

It's an outside chance at best, I
know, but the only one we have.

Lee is set on trying
it as soon as the

roads are dry enough
for him to move.

He's gonna need every good
man that we've got left.

Yes, sir.

May you serve him
as well as you've



served me and this government.

Goodbye, Mr President.

God go with you, Orry.

Come in, general.

I assume you read my final report.

It's only final when
you find my wife.

Sir, you have received a
dozen detailed reports.

Your wife has simply disappeared.

You have to keep trying.
You missed something.

Sir, I can't make a career out of
one case. I have other clients.

I don't give a damn
about your other

clients. I just want
you to find my wife.

General, I know how you feel,
especially with the war and all.

I'm sorry.

I just can't give up.

Please.

I'll do what I can.

Hold up.

Can I help you, madam?

I've come to see General Sherman.

I'm sorry, madam...

the general never
talks to civilians

unless he sends for them.

- Hold it.
- Madam, hold the carriage.

Madam.

Attention.

I'm General Cates, General
Sherman's chief of staff.

Something I can help you with?

I must speak to the
general personally.

That's impossible.
The general sees

no one without an appointment.

His appointments are
made through me.

I'd like you to make
one for me, now.

General Sherman is the commanding

officer of the entire army, madam.

Exactly. That is why
I must see him.

Even if you were a
relative, madam...

Cates.

Let her pass.

I'll be damned.

Bill Sherman, madam.
At your service.

Madeline Main, general.

I wonder if I might have a moment
of private conversation with you.

Of course.

Gentlemen, as you were.

I travelled a long way
to see you, general.

You showed good spirit back there.

I had to.

I understand...

the city of Charleston was
spared... because of its beauty?

We didn't spare Charleston
because of its beauty.

- We needed it for military use.
- What of its people, general?

Do you find them beautiful
also? The victims of war?

The innocent who have suffered?

I have come here...

to ask for help for those people.

- What would you have me do?
- Thousands of refugees...

have fled to Charleston.

The poor, the weak...

the orphaned.

Those who've had no
choice in the war.

Those who have perhaps
suffered the most.

I had no choice either.

I've tried very hard to
understand that, sir.

I run a camp...

for refugees. Mainly
mothers and their

children who have
nowhere else to go.

Your armies have won a victory.

Can you find it in your heart...

to help the conquered?

What kind of help, madam?

Where is this place?
How many are there?

It's on the outskirts
of Charleston.

There are hundreds, I'm
afraid, and more every day.

What we need most is food.

I'll ask Cates to take you
to the quartermaster.

You shall have provisions
from us for your camp.

I knew if I spoke to you...

You are a woman of great courage.

And courage nearly always wins.

So you been sniffing
around my wood, Mr Jones?

Cuffey.

Lord, am I glad to see you.

Yes, sir. It's your
Cuffey all right.

The nigger boy you used to cuss
and beat and work half to death.

I'm boss now.

No. Please, don't.

Respect, Mr Jones.

Respect for the boss
of these woods.

When all the white owners
lickety-split north...

and Sherman's Yankees
come through here...

like the biggest firestorm
you ever did see...

we're gonna be boss
of this whole river.

What's left of these
here plantations...

is gonna be mine.

Take a bite, Mr Jones.

Or are you still too
high and mighty...

to eat with a black donkey?

No.

- No.
- Bite it now.

Wouldn't want you complaining
about my hospitality.

Heard you joined the Yankees.

- How come...?
- They ain't no different.

At Hilton Head they called
me "Private Cuffey."

And still put a shovel in my hand.

When war's over, you'll have to
deal with the same white men.

You gonna need somebody who knows
laws and squatters' rights.

How to run a plantation.

I got me a bunch of boys.

Swamp rats know how
to slit a throat

better than your meanest buck.

We're the same kind
now, my friend.

We need each other. Right?

Untie him.

Let's talk, Salem.

- Here you are, sir.
- Thank you, David.

Excuse me, sir.

May I help you, sir?

I'd like to see
Congressman Greene.

The congressman is busy.

Who is it, David?

It's a gentleman to see you, sir.

Yes, sir. I'm officer Hughes.

If I could have a few
moments of your time...

in private. It's important.

- David.
- Yes, sir.

Take your hat, sir?

That'll be all, David.

- Please.
- Thank you.

I understand that you know a woman
named Virgilia Hazard Grady.

Yes, as a matter of fact I do.

Some years ago I
helped her secure a

position with Miss
Dix's Nursing Corps.

Please sit. I was
deeply distressed to

hear a warrant was
issued for her arrest.

Have you had any
contacts with her?

Not for some time.

Sir, it's important that
we talk with Mrs Grady.

Perhaps you could
help me find her.

- That's exactly what I told him.
- I think that was right.

Here we are.

Hello.

Good evening, Mr Collins. So nice

of you to join us. Please come in.

Thank you.

- Good evening.
- A pleasure to see you.

We haven't met.
Congressman Sam Greene.

I believe you know
the junior senator.

- My dear.
- Please excuse me.

I haven't had a chance to
speak to Sam all evening.

The fair sex. A man can never
leave them alone for too long.

Would you excuse us, please. Yes?

Sam, the police are everywhere.

They're asking questions about
a woman with my description.

What if my landlady...?

Your landlady won't say anything.

I paid her very good money for
this house and for her silence.

But you said you'd
take care of Mrs Neal.

And you'd get the
murder charge dropped.

That was months ago.

- I'm doing all that can be done.
- I'm not complaining, Sam.

I just thought that
a man as important

as you would be able
to do it sooner.

After all, I am innocent. I had
nothing to do with that man dying.

I told you.

These things take time.

Sam.

Do you want to go into the study?

I thought about this all day...

about being alone with you.

Tell me more, Virgilia.

What else have you
thought about all day?

About what a wonderful
lover you are.

Am I...?

Am I as good as Grady?

There's no one like you, Sam.

No one.

Company...

halt.

Corporal, take your men around
back to the outbuilding.

Sergeant, post the torches.

First squad, forward.

- What do you want here?
- Major Fisk, madam.

Kilpatrick's Cavalry Corps.

I wish we could spare
your house, but...

we can't.

Have everybody clear out, please.

Please, sir.

My husband is an
officer in your army.

This is his house too.
You can't burn it.

This war is hard on
everybody, madam. I...

There are only women here.
We didn't start this war.

We're just trying to survive it.

That's all any of us are
trying to do, madam.

I'm sorry, but all of
this has got to go.

- We're not leaving.
- You heard my daughter, major.

- Mother.
- We're not leaving.

Sergeant...

carry them off the veranda.

You'll have to burn this
house down around me.

No.

Sergeant, I think this house is
close enough to Charleston...

that it would make an excellent
headquarters for our senior staff.

Move the men out.

Good night, ladies.

Both sides read the same Bible...

and pray to the same God.

And each invokes his
aid against the other.

The prayers of both
cannot be answered.

The Almighty has his own purposes.

Seventeen states have ratified the
amendment abolishing slavery.

Yesterday I heard that the

Confederate Congress
in Richmond...

voted entire regiments of
slaves into their army.

Well, the issue is all
but finished now.

We began this war to
end it, and now...

we cannot seem to end the war.

Honour detail, colour
guard, present arms.

Shoulder arms.

Left wing, march.

- For the general's staff, sir.
- Thank you, lieutenant.

Sheridan's cleaned
out the last pockets

of resistance in the
Shenandoah Valley.

He's got 12,000 cavalry here,
near Dinwiddie Court House.

If he can make it to
this junction, Five

Forks, he'll be well
beyond Lee's lines.

He'll need help.

I promised Sheridan an infantry
corps. More if he needs.

Mr President, I want Phil to
take and hold Five Forks.

He'll cut Lee's
only railway south.

I can get my troops
between Lee and Johnston.

If we can break through Lee's
line here at Petersburg...

we can force the
city's evacuation.

And then Richmond.

The Confederacy would capitulate.

I believe...

we must give some thought
to what happens then.

- You mean our terms for peace?
- Yes.

We can't dictate harsh terms.

Both sides share the
blame for this war,

as both have shared
its terrible cost.

Now both must share
in the victory.

You mean, let them off easy?

Yes, that's the way we
put it when I was a boy.

Sir, are you saying we should just
dismiss the Confederate armies?

I'd like to see all
these men back to

work on their farms
and in their shops.

I want civil governments
re-established

in the Secessionist
states quickly.

Will you deal with the state
governments as they exist?

If we have to, yes.

Until Congress can
organise elections...

or establish some other
permanent arrangement.

I'm afraid you won't
be very popular

in some quarters, Mr President.

I've never been very popular
in some quarters, Sam.

Some people want the South to
bleed for what's it's done, sir.

The South has bled
enough, general.

So have we.

Billy, they'll fire the signal
to advance from Fort Fisher.

- How will we hear it in all this?
- Damned if I know.

Company, fall in.

Move, move. Let's go.

What are your orders, general?

Sir?

General, what are your orders?

The troops are ready.

It's time, sir.

George.

Fire.

Sound the advance.

Shoulder arms.

Right face.

Forward march.

Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death...

Battalion...

shoulder...

arms.

Forward march.

Close the lines.

Forward march.

Fire.

Company, charge.

- Charge.
- Charge.

Here they come.

Return fire.

Tom?

Tom.

Tom.

Stretcher-bearer.

Stretcher-bearer.

Stretcher-bearer.

Come on, men, over the hill.

Orry, they've got the guns.

Get to Wilcox. We've
got to get out.

Get your men out of here.

Doctor said you're
gonna make it, Tom.

It's gonna take longer than
you might have figured.

I'm gonna stay with
you a couple of days.

Then I'll come back for
you when you can travel.

I know Brett's looking
forward to meeting you.

So you hurry up and get well.

You just remember...

you're my friend...

and I love you.

I knew you'd be concerned
about your brother.

Field sergeant says
he'll be all right.

Thank you.

I couldn't find anything in the

casualty reports
about General Main.

A few of their
officers were killed,

among them a Lee
favourite, A.P. Hill.

But not all the Confederate dead
and wounded have been identified.

I appreciate anything
you can do to help.

- George, I want you in on this.
- Yes, sir.

Gentlemen, I realise our
army's exhausted...

but Lee's men must
be even more so.

We cannot let them escape
to North Carolina.

If he and Johnston
get their men to the

hill, they can go on
fighting for years.

That would finally
destroy our nation.

Sir, you give me Generals
Hazard, Ord and Griffin...

we'll ride without food or
sleep to put an end to it.

Phil, I don't want a series of
bloody attacks on his rear.

Don't just chase him...

get on his flank so he can't
turn south, then head him off.

If we get in his front,
we'll bag the entire army.

When Mr Lincoln heard about
our recent victories...

he asked if his four-year
nightmare was finally over.

Let's make sure it
ends at Lynchburg.

Keep it straight.
Keep it straight.

Keep those lines straight.

Hold your fire.

- No truce flag.
- We don't want no truce flag.

No. No.

Dear God, it's over.

It's really over.

I believe neither of us wanted...

or expected such a
terrible conflict.

Both sides read the same Bible...

pray to the same God...

and each has invoked his
aid against the other.

But the Almighty has
his own purposes.

And if he now wills the removal of
a great wrong that is slavery...

and wills also that
we of the North as

you of the South
should pay fairly...

for our complicity
in that wrong...

impartial history
will find therein...

new cause to attest and revere...

the justice and goodness of God.

There he is. There's Grant.

Sergeant Tucker, bring
those horses around.

Mother.

Mother. It's true.

They stopped fighting. The war's
over. Can you believe it?

Orry will be home.

And Billy too. You must
believe that, dear.

I do, Mama. I have to.

Augusta.

Washington.

Augusta.

Hey, fella.

Augusta.

Augusta.

Washington.

Hello?

Washington?

Where's Augusta?

The house wouldn't be like
this if she were here.

That's right, sir.

If Miss Augusta see it this
way, she'd be in a state.

She left, didn't she?

Just like I asked her to. She went
to see her people in Charleston.

No, sir.

She ain't in Charleston.

Miss Augusta's dead.

She died when the baby come.

The baby?

I made it myself
when Boz was born.

Miss Augusta's baby come early.

Not supposed to get
born for another month.

There ain't no more
doctors around here...

so I fetched Mama
Sarah, the midwife.

She couldn't save Miss Augusta.

I buried her like she wanted to.

What about the baby?

Miss Augusta's uncle and his
missus knew about the baby.

And after she was gone...

he come up from Charleston
and took the boy away.

That boy...

- he's my son.
- Yes, sir.

Why didn't she tell
me, Washington?

She had to have known the
last time I was here.

She didn't want to worry you none.

Didn't want to worry me.

Oh, my God.

She wanted me to tell you, sir.

She knew you loved her...

and she loved you very much.

Can I help you, major?

I'm Charles Main.

I somehow knew you'd
find your way here.

I know this must be very difficult
for you, Mrs Barclay...

but I've come to take my son home.

He has your strength.

Take care of him, sir.

He's a fine boy.

I'll never let him
forget his mother.

Or you.

Thank you for all you've done.

Brett.

Thank God cousin
Charles came home.

It's really lifted Mama's spirits.

It's Billy.

It's Billy.

Mama. It's Billy,
Mama. It's Billy.

Billy.

Billy.

Ezra?

- What are you doing?
- Fixing to leave.

War over.

I free.

There ain't nothing
left here for me now.

It's time I find that new life.

Not without me.

The day Orry was born your
father gave me this letter.

I kept it in my Bible
all these years.

In it, he tried to say what
he had a hard time saying.

That he loved me
and his new son...

and would love and cherish
all our children.

Then he talked about this land
and what it meant to him.

There's just this one little
part I want to read to you.

"Mont Royal isn't just bricks,
and mortar, and polished wood.

The people who live here
give it its real character.

I've made mistakes in my life...

done things I'm sorry for...

but I've tried to
live by a tradition

of family unity,
service to others...

honour and fair dealing.

And it is my prayer that our
children and their children...

and generations to come will
carry on that tradition."

There are two others here who've

become so much a
part of Mont Royal.

And they've decided to
join their lives...

just as Tilley and I
did so many years ago.

Ezra, Semiramis...

we all want you to have that
corner section by the river...

to start a new life together.

I still haven't seen
anything in the papers.

When will you get the
murder charges dropped?

I am sick of you harping
on that, Virgilia.

Like I'm sick of servicing you?

Oh, my God.

I didn't mean that, Sam.

I didn't.

Believe me, Sam, you're
the only friend I've got.

Please forgive me, Sam.

Please?

I forgive you.

Will I see you tomorrow, Sam?

Are you asking when I'll
be back with money?

You know I'm not asking that.

I enjoy being with you, Sam.

Virgilia, the fact is...

I won't be back tomorrow
or any other day.

You can't mean that.

The party feels I will be the most

effective candidate
for the Senate.

That means that knowing you...

is something of a risk.

Someday...

somebody's gonna
find out about us.

But you care about me, Sam.

I mean something to you, don't I?

Do you really think I'd risk
being ruined politically?

No. My dear, you were a challenge.

Like many of life's challenges,
once it's met, one moves on.

Sam, is this because of
what I said earlier?

No.

I made up my mind
long before tonight.

I let you use me like
one of your whores.

There's no need to
be crude, Virgilia.

There is a brighter side.

Yes, I'll be free, but,
then again, so will you.

What do you mean?

You need no longer worry about the
murder indictment against you.

A policeman told me,
some time ago...

that a witness had come
forward, a stretcher-bearer.

And he absolved you
from responsibility

for that officer's death.

So the only thing
you have to worry

about is the assault charge...

against you by Mrs
Neal. That should

be a minor inconvenience at best.

You knew all this
and you just let me

go on believing my
life was in danger?

Just collecting on
past favours, my dear.

You don't have to worry
about moving immediately.

The rent's paid till
the end of the month.

Excuse me.

Virgilia...

take care.

- Goodbye, my dear.
- Goodbye?

No, not like this, Sam.

You're not leaving.

Virgilia, you're upset.

And you don't know
what you're doing.

I know exactly what I'm doing.

Poor, poor Sam.

I did everything I can, Virgilia.

I'm sorry, there's no
chance for a reprieve.

It's just as well. I
told them I wanted

it over with as
quickly as possible.

Do you believe in fate, George?

If Grady lived, tomorrow
would be our anniversary.

And it's the day I hang.

It's ironic, don't you think?

I know Mother really
wanted to see you.

No, I'm glad you agreed with me.

I think that it would've
been too much for her.

I can't believe I lost everything.

I lost my pride, George.

I sold it.

This is my wedding ring.

I was thinking that maybe you
could give it to Hope someday.

You could tell her it's
from her crazy aunt.

She'll be proud to wear it.

When we were little...

I remember a boy who made fun
of an answer you gave in class.

And without mussing a hair, you

knocked him down on
the playground...

and made him admit
that you were right.

I admired you then.

For having the courage
of your convictions.

And I still do.

I wish we could always
have been close.

I love you.

Mother will need us
now more than ever.

I know.

Thank you for coming. I'm sure

you've been a comfort
to my mother.

And she is much comfort to me.

Your mother is a very strong
woman, General Hazard.

I'm sure she's just
going to be fine.

Thank you.

- I'll see you out.
- Thank you.

Good day to you.

She's at peace now.

No matter what she did, I loved
her. I always loved her.

I know, Mother.

So did I.

I'm so sorry for all that you've
had to go through, Mother.

What's important is that
I have the two of you.

And that one day we
will be a family again.

Was it all a terrible waste...

a needless violence that
tore our country apart?

It was a price that
had to be paid.

I'm afraid it'll be harder to
silence the hatred and blame...

than it was to win the war.

The South has lost so much.

So many lives to rebuild.

The Mains will need us very much.

I pray that Orry is alive.

He's the best friend I've
ever had, Constance.

I've got to find out
what happened to him.

Or the war will never
be over for me.

Sorry to have kept you waiting.

I know how busy you are. I realise

the location of a
particular body...

is not a priority for you.

We were flooded with dead and
wounded after Petersburg.

Some of them were
never identified.

Surely somebody noted General
Main's rank or description.

I understand he was
your best friend.

We were together at West Point.

You've been looking
through records.

I've been through
effects of the dead...

but I find no identification
of his body...

- nor record of his burial.
- He may have been taken...

to a field hospital
and died there.

Or the records might've
been misplaced.

How can I find out?

All I can do is authorise you
to visit the hospitals...

and be given their cooperation.

I would very much appreciate that.

I'll tell my aide
to draft a letter.

Thank you.

- Know anything of a General Main?
- No.

Good luck to you.

At ease. Know anything of a
Confederate General Main?

The last time we spoke, I told
you to take care of yourself.

You obviously weren't
listening to me.

Nobody was listening
in those days.

I was worried about you.

I didn't know if you'd made it.

You either.

Charles?

Heard he's fine.

I don't remember anything. They
said I was unconscious for days.

What about Billy?

Oh, he's probably halfway
to Mont Royal by now.

Help me get out of here, George.

This rank ought to be
good for something.

I've got to find Madeline.

I'll bet she's home
waiting for you.

You don't understand.

I haven't seen her
in almost two years.

What?

She just disappeared.

I've hired detectives.

I've been able to find out that
she sold her father's house...

- through some Charleston lawyer.
- I'm sorry, Orry, I...

Sergeant, what's
all the commotion?

We've just received word.
President Lincoln's been shot.

He's not expected to live.

God help us.

Oh, please God.

George.

I could really use
your help right now.

One, one, one, two, one.

Sir, I know that my wife
sold her house through you.

You have to know where she is.

I'd like to help you, but I've
never in my entire life...

violated my word to anyone.

Madeline and I love
each other, Mr Colbert.

Hasn't this war
caused enough pain?

Please, sir.

I could tell how much your
wife cared for you...

and that troubled me all the
time I was holding my silence.

There has been enough pain.

Then you can tell me where she is?

I can no longer keep two people
apart who should be together.

Thank you, sir.

You look so like your
father sometimes.

You do.

You really are here.

I was afraid you wouldn't be.

You must hate me for
leaving you the way I did.

I know why. Ashton told me.

Then you know why I had to leave.

She said terrible
things would happen.

Maybe that was true once...

but you don't have to
be afraid any more.

No one will ever hurt us again.

You mean...

you'd take me back?

You'd still want me?

I never wanted you to go.

I love you and I always will.

I love you too. Please believe me.

I love you too.

I do.

But I have to tell you.

There's another man
in my life now.

Orry Nicholas Main.

Your son.

I love you.

Ezra, that's a big section
of land you got there.

I reckon you're gonna need a
family to help you work it.

We've been thinking about that.

Well, you got to do
more than thinking.

Now. Burn it.

I'll get the guns.

You stay here. I'm gonna
get Billy's shotgun.

- I'll cover the front.
- I'll take the other side.

No.

Cuffey.

Semiramis, get the hell out.

The fire's out of control.

Mont Royal.

Stay here with Madeline
and the baby. George.

I got to go for help.

If I can make it across the
river to the Harpers'...

I can get some men and
attack them from the back.

No, Ezra.

I got to. They're
gonna overrun us.

Take this rifle. You
protect yourself.

Ezra.

Ezra.

Come on get up, get up. No.

No.

Billy.

Mama?

Mama?

- Where are the others?
- Billy and Brett are out back.

Mama?

I'll get her.

I'll get you out of
here, Mama. Hold on.

Hold on.

Let's get out of here.

Hold on, Mama.

Please, Mama.

Hold on, Mama.

Mama?

We can't save it, Mama.

We can't save it, Mama.

Mama? Mama?

Mama?

Madeline had a baby, Mama.

You're a grandmother, Ma.

Mama. Oh, please don't die.

No.

And he said unto her:

"I am the resurrection
and the life.

He that believeth in me,
though he were dead...

yet shall he live.

And whosoever liveth
and believeth in me...

shall never die."

My mother lived to
see her way of life

disappear from the
face of this earth.

Yet she blamed no one...

and she hated no one for it.

Clarissa Main...

was a loving and
compassionate woman.

I think she would have
agreed with Mr Lincoln.

"With malice toward none...

and charity for all, let us strive
to bind up the nation's wounds.

To care for him...

who has borne the battle, and
for his widow and orphan.

To do all which may
achieve and cherish...

a just and lasting peace among
ourselves and all nations."

I'm glad my father
didn't live to see this.

I got married here, George.

It was the happiest
day of my life.

We can't fool
ourselves by thinking

it'll be easy to
rebuild this country.

It won't be.

We've all suffered too much.

But in a way, our families
have been blessed.

And our friendship's endured.

Maybe it's up to us,
in our own way...

to start healing the
wounds of this nation.

I...

I want to reinvest
in our textile mill.

I want you to use the profits...

to rebuild Mont Royal.

You're the best friend a man
could ever have, George.

We're family, Orry.
You remember that.