Original subtitles

Go on.

Go get the horses.

like a troop of brunettes. I've heard about them, but I've never seen them.

Well, will you look at that.

One's a sergeant, too.

Company, halt!

I'm Captain Arthur Terrell, 9th Cavalry. We have soldiers who need attention. Is

there a doctor?

I'm a doctor.

Thank you, ma 'am. We had a man in mind.

I'm the only doctor in town.

Who's the barber? Me.

But I won't help you.

Captain, I have a clinic here.

Dr. Mike took care of Custer's men.

We're gonna need a place to billet.

Are there rooms above that store?

Nah, but nothing you can use.

Soldiers always camp in the field.

It's winter.

So you got blankets.

Don't you? We have the right to requisition housing for our troops.

Not these troops.

There's no room for you in this town. Why don't you just move on to the next

town?

There are rooms above my clinic.

It used to be a boarding house, but if you don't mind being crammed.

Much obliged, ma 'am.

This way, Captain.

Why do you think a white officer would want to lead a troop like that?

Probably not that sharp.

This is the only troop they'd give him to command.

Take care of this man first. He's my best shot.

This man's injuries are more severe.

You can wait.

Sergeant, what was your name?

Carver, Zachary Carver.

Sergeant Carver.

It's my job to determine which man needs treatment most, George.

Mike, we found her at Willow Creek.

Whole party she was with were killed.

Dr. Quinn, you think that engine's more urgent than my men?

What's she saying? Buffalo soldier. That's what that Cheyenne call these

Take her up there.

Dr. Mike.

What would all these cowboys be doing here?

If they could build it here.

But these are the ones that killed her people.

Put her to sleep in my bed. I'll check on her at supper. All right.

Captain

Terrell?

Did your troops attack a group of Indian families at Willow Creek?

Yes, ma 'am, we did.

We were tracking a party of dog soldiers who blew up the railroad.

They took cover with those families.

I'm sorry, gentlemen. I'm afraid I spoke too soon in offering my runs.

I don't understand.

I wasn't aware of what you did.

We did our job, ma 'am, to protect the Kansas Pacific Railroad.

Railroad runs through Indian land. They were given that land by treaty. The

treaty's been rescinded, not by the Indians. Don't matter. But you're

innocent families.

Can't be helped.

Orders are to kill anyone sabotaging the railroad, wherever we find them.

Do your orders include shooting little girls?

lesson for today.

When's our teacher coming back, Miss Dorothy? Oh, not for a few more weeks.

afraid you're stuck with me till then.

Now, before I dismiss you, I want to remind you about the scholarship contest

that the Denver Post is sponsoring.

You're going to take the test tomorrow, and it's going to be in English,

arithmetic, and history.

Now, here's the big news.

The five students in the territory...

that have the highest score in their age group, win a free trip to Washington.

Who's going to win? I don't know.

We have the smartest girl in school.

Every one of you has a chance to win. And if you do win, you get to visit the

White House and watch our Congress in session and see how our laws are made.

If someone wins, can they take their brother with them?

No, Brian.

But you know, you might win if you work hard.

All right, you're all dismissed.

Colleen, could I see you a minute?

You got a

72 in your history quiz.

That's the one subject you got to work harder on.

I can't remember date.

I know everything that happened, but I can't remember if it was... 550 BC or

BC. Have you tried making up little rhymes?

No, I tried everything.

Just keep repeating them over and over and over again till they're just set

stone.

Morning.

Morning, Sergeant.

My head's... Good to have y 'all here.

Good to be here.

Hey, this needs fixing.

Worn pretty bad.

Same as the horses.

The two of them got thrust.

One's got worms.

Can't the Army do no better by you?

We do the best with what we get. Now, the 7th Cavalry, under Custer, they had

some fine -looking horses.

Fancy saddles, too.

Maybe. They ain't want more medals than we have.

When they run into trouble, they call us in.

That right.

Sir, the Army's a place you can make yourself a name.

That's why I come out here.

Pathified Indians.

You don't hear about Zack McCarver.

Pathified, that a... another word for killing?

What of it?

Indians ain't never done me no harm.

Wouldn't want to kill him.

Yeah, well, I wouldn't want to shoot nags the rest of my life, neither.

It's honest work.

You just get back to it then. I'll be needing that in a moment.

He'll get them.

Here are the tests. They just came in from Denver.

They gotta go right back on the mail pouch today.

So put your answers down in your best handwriting.

And remember, you're working for a trip to Washington.

You may begin.

Selleck. We need a scouse.

I hear you know the country as well as any Indian.

Interested?

No, thanks.

I'm afraid I can't help you.

Why's that?

I got things to do.

I hope.

I hope so, Dad.

Who is this you've brought?

Her name's Littlefeather. The people were killed coming down from the north.

This is her. Can you take her?

She has nowhere else to go.

We'll find a way.

Who did this?

Buffalo soldiers.

The dark ones.

I hear they are strong fighters.

I came to warn you.

They got orders to kill dog soldiers and anyone with them.

You have dog soldiers in camp?

If you let them stay, the army will attack.

How do you know? They asked me to scout for them.

They're staying at my clinic. I invited them before I knew.

Now I must find a way to get them to leave.

No. Let them stay.

And you tell them you will scout for them. Why?

You will learn important information.

And so will you, if you talk to them and listen.

You mean spy?

Pretend to befriend them and then betray them?

What were you doing when you rode out here to tell us what you knew?

What's your thought?

I've been rubbing this on you.

I ain't a tough old buzzard.

Captain Terrell.

Sully.

Still needing a scout?

What about those other things you've got to do? Turns out I ain't so busy after

all.

We need someone who knows the Indian trails.

Or the camp.

I'm your man.

As long as the pay is good enough.

See me at the clinic later.

What the hell are you doing?

Well, if I'm scouting for them, then I'll be leading them, right?

And I'll know what they're doing.

Right.

You just come in.

I thought you'd want to see it.

We just got word from Denver that one of our students is among the five winners

of the scholarship contest.

Who is it?

Congratulations, Colleen.

I had an uncle went to Washington once, but he paid for it. Oh, we're so proud

of you.

Let's get moving. Ain't nothing wrong with you. I disagree with you, Sergeant.

Look at these bruises.

Gums are bleeding. He's lost two teeth and more are loose. Yeah, well, he don't

need no teeth to shoot a rifle, do you, Winslow?

No, Sergeant.

Winslow and me been riding together what?

Six years.

Six years. Tough man.

And he had scurvy after some of your men.

Scurvy? What's that?

It's a severe form of malnutrition.

If it's not treated, it leads to internal bleeding and bone damage.

Well, how do you treat it?

With proper food.

Tomatoes, a healthy diet.

What do your men eat, Sergeant?

Jerky, salt pork, beans.

General Custer served prime beef and fresh greens in his tent.

He's a general, ma 'am. And his men ate better, too.

Oh, they did.

Well, I don't care nothing about Custer's men.

And the Army obviously doesn't care about yours.

But I believe you do, Sergeant.

And you must insist that they provide you with proper food like tomatoes. You

can't kill renegade Indians with tomatoes, Dr. Quinn.

We need horses, ammunition.

Sergeant Carver.

Yes, sir. They've been sighted. Telegram just came in. I'll get them in ready.

Winslow, come on now.

Yes, sir.

Dr. Mike, have you heard about the telegram?

Well, yes.

Folks is all excited.

Do you think I might see it?

I gave it to Miss Dorothy.

Dorothy? It was addressed to her.

No, wasn't there another one for Captain Terrell?

Oh, that, yeah. It came in just a while ago.

Did you happen to see what it said?

No, that's private. I can't tell you.

This is important, Horace.

Life might be safe. I would never ask.

Sorry, Dr. Mike. I'd like to help you, but I took an oath.

Is this the pad you wrote it on?

Yeah.

You look pale, Horace.

Perhaps you'd like a little fresh air?

Please.

Two elders thought this from another regiment. They know where the dark

are now.

We've got to get word to Cloud Dancer.

If I leave, though, they'll be suspicious.

I'll go.

Well, he's... He's showing them the roads.

That's right.

Why? Are they going after India?

Yes, but he's not going to fight with them, is he?

No, of course not.

Aren't you right, Colleen? I'm going to Washington.

Colleen, that's wonderful.

Congratulations. When do you leave? Next week.

Well, I'll see you.

I knew you'd do this.

But tonight I want to read you a book about Washington.

I'm so excited.

I'm so proud of you, Colleen.

With the soldiers gone, I've got patience to see.

No, you stay here with your friends.

This is a big day.

I saw you, Colleen.

What are you talking about?

You cheated on the test.

I did not.

What's wrong with cheating?

I knew everything on that test. I saw you cheat, Colleen.

Don't you dare say that again.

It's not true.

Let's get him. I wouldn't do that, I advise you.

Why not?

They're just leading you into an ambush.

Go around that. No, don't listen to him. Why? We can't trust him.

Let's not lose him.

Charge!

He had a severe concussion and he lost a lot of blood.

The next few hours will be critical.

I should have listened to you.

I didn't trust you. I apologize.

You did what you thought was best.

At least this terrible campaign is over.

Over?

I assume without your captain, you won't be continuing your attacks.

Ma 'am, army regulations stipulate that when the commanding officer is

injured... We're unable to perform his duty.

The command path is to the next highest ranking officer.

I'm in charge now.

Needs cleaning, Winslow. You won't be able to fire it when you need to. Yes,

Sergeant.

What's he doing?

He's taking command.

He can.

Why not?

He ain't white.

All the colored troops got white officers.

Well, there are white officers lying in the clinic now.

If Burnett won't go kill Injuns, let him do it. I'm with you guys.

All right.

You ride. First light.

Let me just say...

I've never been so proud to lead a group of men in my life.

This is a chance for all of us, gentlemen.

Dismissed.

Keep

doing

what we've been doing.

Ask questions, listen to the men.

Trying to make you look innocent and get word to Cloud Dancer.

I'm glad when this is over.

I hate deception.

I

told

you,

boy. Saloon.

Clothes. I don't see no boys here.

I see 20 men.

And they all got loaded rifles and they're all crack shot.

Yeah.

How many dog soldiers do you kill?

Too many to count.

If they're going to go kill engines, they need a little fortification.

Come on, man.

Colleen, let's talk about your trip.

You can take some of the clothes you got in Boston.

Now, would you like to have a new hat when you go to the White House?

Something wrong?

No.

You look sad.

I thought you were excited.

I was, by the... What?

Well, when I took the test, I was nervous about the history part and

dates mixed up.

So I wrote them down on a little paper, and, um...

You say you took the paper into the exam.

Everyone was expecting me to win.

I didn't want to let them down.

I wanted to be perfect.

Like you.

Me?

I'm not perfect. Far from it.

Did you ever do anything like this?

Cheat? No.

Sometimes I wanted to, but I didn't.

Do you hate me?

No, Colleen.

I love you and I'll always stand behind you.

But we do have a problem.

I really want to go to Washington.

You really think it's fair?

I knew all the answers. I would have won anyway.

I'm sure that's true, but you broke the rule.

No. You and Celia are breaking the rule.

What do you mean?

You're spying on the soldiers, taking their secrets to the Indians.

That's different.

Why?

Well, sometimes... Sometimes you have to lie or break the law for a higher

purpose.

Remember when I read you Thoreau's essay on civil disobedience? Yes.

He said the only duty you have is to do what you think is right.

And I think it's right for me to go to Washington.

He said you have to follow your conscience and be willing to pay the

He went to jail, remember?

For refusing to pay the poll tax.

What's that got to do with me?

Just follow your conscience, that's all.

You'll know what to do.

How's my horse doing?

Foot's a little better.

Good. Good.

Thanks for looking out.

Ever had a drink in the saloon?

No, sir.

Men are there now, getting served.

Why don't you walk on down with me? I'll buy you a whiskey.

What'll that prove?

Prove?

We got some respect.

I don't think the saloon's where you get that.

You ain't afraid of them, are you?

No, I ain't afraid.

But I know better than to go looking for respect there. Oh, that's right, that's

right. You got to live here. You got to get along.

But you understand it don't matter how many stripes you wear or medals you got.

They ain't never going to ask you into their house or let your children go to

their school.

Sure, they let you do that dirty work there, fighting.

But they still going to treat you like their boy.

That's where you wrong.

When I joined up, there wasn't no colored sergeant.

I got these strikes by working hard, nothing else.

And that's what's going to take me to the top.

Now, you change your mind about that drink, you come join us.

How are you feeling, Captain?

Better.

It hurts to move my head.

I'm dizzy.

I'll let you clear up in the next few days.

There doesn't appear to be any poling damage.

Good.

Captain, I'd like to show you... If you need me, I'll be downstairs.

I expect the dog's shoulder to be taking cover at Cheyenne Reservation.

They figure that we won't risk attacking Black Kettle on its home ground.

We'll catch them off guard.

They're going

to

attack your camp at dawn.

Are you sure of this?

Do you think you can get everyone out before then?

There isn't time.

He wants you to ride out and head them off before they reach the reservation.

The women and children will stay here. And so should you. There isn't time for

you to return safely.

Don't be a fool. They're ready for you.

And why is that?

Don't let her why.

Look at the numbers. Nobody's gonna win.

Charge!

Think you better come

Hold

on

hold on hold on

Let me look at your wound.

Have you been hurt? No.

Have you been shot, please?

Just sit down.

Take it easy.

Wendel and me joined up together.

You bet he shouldn't ride.

Bullet's in there very deep.

Probably back to leave it there.

I'll disinfect the wound.

We'll check on it later.

It was like a brother.

Never had any real kinfolk.

Didn't know my mother. She was sold when I was a baby.

Ran away when I was 16.

Couldn't find a place to settle till I joined the army.

Ninth is the only family I ever had.

Now most of it's gone.

Maybe it's time for you to go, too.

Go where?

You're strong and able.

Not too late for you to start a family of your own.

You don't know what you're talking about.

The army is the only place I ever found dignity.

The only place they ever talked to me with respect.

I take off this uniform, put away my gun, what am I going to do?

Shine shoes, walk behind a mule?

Outside the army, what have I got? Nothing.

Dr. Quinn, what brought you out here?

How did you know where to come to help us?

I didn't come to help.

I came to warn the Indians.

You what?

I overheard your plans. I knew the reservation was full of women and

That's treason.

No, Sergeant.

I believe that your attacks on the Indians are unjust.

And that it's my duty as a citizen to follow them.

Let me ask you again.

How did you come to get here?

You must have rode out to visit a patient, or maybe you were on your way

somewhere else.

No, Sergeant.

I came here to warn the Indians.

Then you're under arrest.

You've got no right to put Dr. Mike in jail. Let our mom out.

She was aiding the enemy.

Ah, she thought she was helping the Indians.

She just does stuff like that. You've got to ignore it. I can't ignore it.

She contributed to the death of 11 soldiers. She didn't kill anyone. She

trying to help. It's crazy.

I bet if it was a white officer, he'd never lock her up. Matthew, Sergeant

Carver did what he had to do, and so did I. You don't belong in prison.

You remember what Thoreau said?

If a government imprisons people unjustly, then the true place for a just

a prison.

Miss Dorothy, there's something I have to tell you.

Oh. Colleen, I'm so sorry about your mom.

I'm right in the middle of writing up an article. I cheated on the test.

Sergeant Carver.

Black Kettle would like to have a talk with you.

About what?

About arranging a surrender for the dog soldiers.

They'd like you to come out to the reservation, alone.

Are you crazy?

I'll guarantee a safe passage.

You will.

Every time we followed you, it's led to disaster.

Just think of how it'll look.

You bringing in the renegades, the white flag.

Where's Blackdown?

Taking it to him.

But I gotta tell you, there's no surrender.

You lied to me.

What do you take me for?

I had to get you here somehow.

What for?

So that you could see these people, so you could talk to them, get to know who

they are. Against all military rules, you don't fraternize with the enemy.

They're not the enemy.

The army's using you.

They send you out here to shoot the Indians. The Indians shoot back.

The battle's over. Who's left standing?

I'm riding back.

Please.

Sit. Talk with him.

Please.

He says you fight with great courage, Captain Spirit of the Buffalo.

We honor your bravery.

Your men fight with great courage also.

Sully tells us you fought for your freedom in the Great War and won it.

Now we fight for ours.

We have no quarrel with you.

Why do you fight it?

I am a sergeant in the United States Army.

Sergeant Carver, what are the charges against this prisoner?

Sir, the charges are unsubstantiated.

Upon investigation, it appears that a mistake has been made.

You have no evidence?

No, sir.

I recommend the charges be dropped.

Very well.

You mean... You're free to go.

We ride out tomorrow to join the 6th Cavalry and renew our attack on the

renegade dog soldiers.

And this time we will prevail.

Sergeant, prepare the men.

Sir, I will not.

I beg your pardon.

Sir, I cannot in good conscience fight the Indians any longer.

Are you refusing an order, Sergeant?

Yes, sir.

Buffrel, arrest this man.

We'll take him to Fort Collins for court -martial.

You've been given an order, soldier!

I've come to check on his wound.

Thank you for doing what you did.

I never meant for the tables to be turned on you like that.

Didn't you say the only place for a just man is a prison?

Well, you have friends now.

We can help you. No.

No, I stand in faith, Court Marshal. Oh, you don't have to chant.

My word will be your defense.

You just don't want to kill Indians anymore?

No, you'll be shot.

When a soldier's time comes, it comes.

There's another way.

Guard, I need to operate on this man. I left a bullet in his chest.

It's become infected. If I don't remove it at once, the infection will spread to

his heart.

I'm not going to take the bullet out.

That was a ruse. I have a plan.

I want to give you a tincture of opium.

What for?

It'll make you sleep, blow your heartbeat.

It'll look as if you're dead.

Your guard will be convinced.

And 12 hours later, it'll wear off.

Is it a danger?

We have to be precise. If I give you too little, it won't work.

If I give you too much, you won't wake up.

Let's see.

If you get caught, you'll be shot, Frayden, with huge teeth.

I know.

I want you to leave now.

No, I'm staying.

I want to help. I don't want you implicated in this. You're going to

No, I'm not.

I told Miss Dorsey the truth.

You did the right thing.

But I don't want to risk you getting shot.

You might go now. Please.

Sergeant Carver.

Go ahead.

You're going to die anyway.

When you're out there, one more opportunity.

Captain Terrell.

Would you come inside?

Yes, what is it?

Bury him.

No honors.

We'll tell Robert E. to bring a coffin.

Let's quit.

You took up a collection.

This should help you until you find work.

She's a good marriage. She'll take you far.

I'll pay you.

Someday.

You already have.

I don't know how to thank you.

Seth, we should thank you.

Take care of yourself now.

Good luck.

Go on.

He'll make it.

He's got to.

That's gonna be easy. That's for sure.

He'll make it.