All language subtitles for They.Died.with.Their.Boots.On.1941

We're new cadets, sir.

You're not cadets,
and I'm not "sir."

Pull in your chin!

Stand at attention
when you speak to

a non-commissioned officer.

- Brown.
- 'Yes, sergeant.'

March these plebes
to the post adjutant's office.

- ...for enrollment.
- Yes, sergeant.

Detachment, forward march!

Keep those heads up!

Look to your fronts!

Pull in your chins!

Plebes, halt!

New set of generals,
eh, captain?

They're in the army
now, colonel.

'Fine-looking mess of manhood.'

About face!

Right face!

'Right face!'

Keep those heads up.

Higher. Higher!

Forward and to double-time,
march!

Come on, get those heads up.
Pep it up there!

Pep it up there!
Get your heads up!

You're pretty fresh
for a cadet corporal

aren't you, Sharp?

Maybe I can afford
to be, sergeant.

One of these days, you're gonna
trip up the wrong lad

find yourself flat on your face

and your old man's money
won't help you any.

That's the trouble
with the army, sergeant

makes no distinctions.

No. You're all alike
when you get here.

And we don't say,
"Welcome to West Point"

and turn out a guard
in honor of any cadet.

Well, here's somebody
you'll turn out a guard for.

Must be a brigadier general,
at least.

Some foreigner
calling on the commandant.

Turn out the guard.
General officer.

Turn out the guard!
General officer!

Fall in!

Present arms!

Order arms!

Welcome to West Point, sir.

May I direct you
to the commandant?

Yes, if he's the proper
person for me to see.

I'm Mr. Custer.

George Armstrong Custer
of Monroe, Michigan.

I've been appointed
to the academy as a cadet.

Welcome to West Point.

- Nice work, sarge.
- Dismiss the guard!

'Well, what are you
waiting for, Sharp?'

Take charge of this man.

I'll show you to your quarters,
Mr. Custer.

Will you be kind enough
to follow me?

What about these hounds?

Oh, don't worry about them.

They'll follow me.

Uh, unleash them, boy.

And here's a dollar
for yourself.

Thank you, sir.

Well... I've done four hitches
in the U.S. Cavalry.

I thought I'd seen everything

but you can call me
a marine if that isn't the..

You, uh, favor cavalier boots,
I see, Mr. Custer.

That's because I'm going into
the cavalry, Mr. Sharp.

In my opinion, an infantryman's

no better than
a beast of burden.

You have definite ideas,
Mr. Custer.

What made you honor the army
by choosing it as a career?

Glory, Mr. Sharp, glory.

I wanna leave a name behind me
that the nation will honor.

There's a great many more
statues for soldiers

than there are civilians,
I've noticed.

I'm sure you'll fit right in
with the statues, Mr. Custer

just like part of the horse.

Well, here we are, Mr. Custer.

Hang these orderlies.

They haven't moved
Pinchbelly's things yet.

But don't you worry, Mr. Custer,
we'll fix that right away.

Will you give me a hand with
this junk here, Mr. Custer?

Oh, certainly, Mr. Sharp.

I, uh, trust I'm not
inconveniencing anybody.

Oh, no, no, Mr. Custer,
on the contrary

it's you who have
been inconvenienced.

Oh, not at all.

Well, I hope you'll
be comfortable here.

Of course, as a first-year man

you know, you don't
rate a suite.

No, of course not.

Well, confidentially,
Mr. Sharp

these quarters are
a great deal better

than those
I'm accustomed to at home.

Oh, is that so?

My, that's a, that's
a dashing-looking outfit

you're wearing, Mr. Custer.

Oh, thank you, Mr. Sharp.

Yes, we've, we've nothing
to compare with it here.

Haven't you? I had it
tailor-made in Monroe.

You know, I wanted
the folks to see me

in uniform before I left.

Did you, uh, design it
yourself, Mr. Custer?

Well, no, but if
you've a moment to spare

I'll show you where
I got the idea for it.

Oh, certainly.

Here. One of the greatest heroes
who ever lived, Mr. Sharp.

Murat, the king of cavalrymen.

He was known as the Thunderbolt

and his one tactic was,
"Ride to the sound of the guns."

Hmm. I must get myself
a tiger skin

as soon as possible.

- Quite a fellow.
- Oh, yes.

Well, I must be running.

I'm sorry, we can't
make arrangements

for the dogs
until tomorrow, though.

Oh, think nothing of it,
Mr. Sharp.

They're accustomed
to sleeping with me anyway.

Oh, and, uh, thanks very much
for your kindness to me.

Well, Caesar,
what do you want, hmm?

Why, you know
you don't like onions.

What's the matter with you?
Oh, you want your bones, eh?

Come on. Come on.

Come on. Come on.

Over here. Here, Caesar.

Come on, Hannibal.
Come on. Here you are.

Here, Cleopatra.
There you are.

Here. There you are.

Hannibal.

What the continental
blue blazes is this?!

Oh.

- Sorry.
- Sorry?

'Sorry. I
didn't hear you knock.'

You didn't hear me knock?

Uh... anything I can
do for you?

Yes, there is.

You can tell me what you
and your confounded menagerie

are doing here in my quarters

'you can tell me why my effects
have been thrown out'

'into the hall, you can tell me'

'from what lunatic asylum
you escaped'

and you can tell me
how you're here

in that comic-opera uniform

instead of at
a fancy-dress ball!

- Well, sir, explain!
- My name's Custer, sir.

Cadet George Armstrong Custer

and I was assigned
to these quarters.

Oh, you were, were you?

Well, I'm Major Romulus Taipe

'quartermaster and commissary
of cadets.'

And this happens
to be my quarters.

And you're an imbecile.

Who brought you here?

Well, who brought you here?
I asked you a question.

Who brought you here?
What's his name?

- Mudd.
- Mudd?

There's no such name
at the academy.

Are you presuming
to trifle with me?

Well, don't you hear that call?

It's inspection for new cadets.

Get out and fall in!

I don't think your stay

will be very long
with us, Mr. Custer.

I'm recommending you
for a mental examination.

Get out! Get out!

Get out, confound it!
Get out of here!

Get out! Get out of here!
Go on!

New cadets, fall in!

Get in line.

Straighten up that rank.'

Prepare for inspection!

Adjust your chin strap.

Yes, sir.

What kind of sloppiness
do you call that? Fix your belt.

- 'Yes, sir.'
- 'Take his name, sergeant.'

- 'Yes, sir.'
- 'See that these men..

'...are instructed
in the proper way'

'to wear their uniforms.'

Extra drill if necessary.

- Yes, sir.
- 'Eyes front, that man.'

I said eyes front!

That means you, Marshal Murat.

Well, it's going to
take even less time

to get rid of you
than I suspected, Mr. Custer.

Sergeant, put this
maniac under arrest.

Take him before
Colonel Sheridan.

Yes, sir. Right face!

Forward march!

Mr. Custer, you are charged
with a very grave offense.

Didn't you know that
striking a superior

is one of the most serious
of military offenses

punishable in some cases
with death?

Why did you strike Mr. Sharp?

I'm afraid I can't say, sir.
It was a personal matter.

There are no personal matters
on the parade ground.

Have you anything
further to say?

No, sir.

Then I have no alternative

but to dismiss you
from the academy.

Dismiss?

Oh, I didn't know
you could get fired

from the army for fighting.

'Well, you know it now.'

What is your listing,
Mr. Custer?

Listing?

Yes, listing. It's on the form.

The form you signed
in the adjutant's office.

What form?
I didn't sign any form.

I haven't been to
the adjutant's office.

Do you mean that
you haven't subscribed

to the Articles of War?

'No, sir.'

In that case, Custer,
we certainly

can't fire you from the army,
because you're not in the army.

'You've been pretty lucky.
Let this be a lesson to you.'

Take him over to
the post adjutant, sergeant.

- Yes, sir.
- I'd like to thank--

About face!

- I'd just like to--
- Forward march!

Thanks anyway, sir.

You know, Taipe,
I'm glad it turned out this way.

There's something
about that fellow I like.

Yeah?

Well, I don't know what it is.

You ask me, he'll make
the worst record

of any cadet at West Point
since Ulysses S. Grant.

At full charge,
a 12-pound shell

will burst into
approximately 50 fragments.

'Mr. Custer?

- Yes, sir.
- You know how many fragments..

...will a 12-pound shell burst?

Oh, um..

Certainly not less
than two, sir.

Harold McCord.

'Ronald McKenzie.'

Francis DuPont.

- Congratulations, Mr. Dupont.
- Thank you, sir.

'Edward Sharp.'

- Good luck, Mr. Sharp.
- Thank you, sir.

I never thought I'd envy
that toad

graduating ahead of me.

I'd certainly like to be in
his boots today, though.

- Why?
- "Why?"

Because if Abraham Lincoln
gets elected in November

there's gonna be a shooting war,
and Sharp will be in it.

Aw, bunkum.
It's all talk, Custer.

There'll be no war.

No? Well, you wait
and see, Rosser.

I tell you,
if Lincoln gets elected

the South will fight.

Battalion, ten-hut!

You are about to hear
an order read

by a civilian member
of the national government.

Senator Smith.

Gentlemen, because of
a present crisis

in the affairs of the nation

which menaces armed rebellion

'and destruction
of the Sacred Union'

'established by our fathers'

it has been decreed by Congress

that every officer
and cadet of the academy

shall subscribe his name
to the following oath.

"I swear to maintain and defend

"the sovereignty
of the United States

"as paramount to all
allegiance or fealty

"I may owe to any state
or territory

so help me God."

Any officer or cadet

who finds himself
unable to comply

with its requirements

will fall out to
the right of the battalion.

Gentlemen of the South

fall out!

I see I was not misinformed

as to the preponderance
of traitors at West Point.

It's high time
that Congress acted

to clean out this nest
of secessionists.

We don't concern ourselves

with the making of wars
here, senator

only the fighting of them.

The academy leaves each man

to his own sense of honor.

Gentlemen of the South,
fall in!

United States
military academy..

...close to the left!

Gentlemen, I am sorry
that our comradeship

must end in these
unhappy circumstances.

We have lived as soldiers

and politics have had
no place among us.

Let us part then
as we have lived

in the determination
to do our duty

wherever it may lie.

Have we your permission
to move off, sir?

Move off, Captain Fitzhugh Lee.

Shoulder arms!

Bandmaster, sound "Dixie!"

Company, left face!

Battalion march!

Eyes left!

Present arms!

March!

Ten hut!

Frankly, I dislike the idea
of graduating junior classmen.

Emergency or no emergency

a half-baked officer
is worse than none at all.

But I couldn't make
the war department see it.

At least the selection
is left in our hands.

Well, let's take them
alphabetically. Who's first?

- Cadet, uh, Percival Anderson.
- Anderson.

Doesn't seem to have made
much impression on me.

Anderson's not
the conspicuous type, sir.

But his record speaks
for him. No demerits.

That might mean he's devoted

himself to keeping
out of trouble.

I think Anderson will be
the better off for another year.

As a senior, he'd have to
accept responsibility..

- ...and make decisions.
- I know, sir, but--

Next.

George Armstrong Custer.

Well, there's
nothing inconspicuous

about him, is there?

No, sir, nothing.
Nothing at all.

He has no regard for discipline,
organization, nor tactics.

And as for his record,
George Armstrong Custer

has the lowest marks
and the highest demerits

of any cadet who ever
attended this academy

including Ulysses S. Grant.

Hmm. I wonder what
happened to Grant.

Well, what about Custer?

He's the best rider and
the best swordsman we have.

He seems endowed with
a singular aggressiveness.

A singular aggressiveness.

Yes, the type that wins

brawls, not battles.
I tell you, sir, that if you--

What is your opinion
of his quality for command?

A squadron would
follow him to hell.

You're forgetting
yourself, sergeant.

As I was saying, sir,
Custer's the type

that wins brawls, not battles.

Why, right at this very moment,
he's doing a punishment tour

'for his latest escapade.'

Custer, carry that rifle
properly and quicken the pace.

Huh? Why?

- Nobody's looking at me.
- Quiet!

You know you're not
allowed to talk

on punishment tour!

Move on!

I hope you won't think me bold

for addressing a stranger,
but I..

I'm Elizabeth Bacon of Monroe

and I think I'm lost.

Oh, but I'm speaking to you.

I'm trying to find
Colonel Sheridan's house.

My father has some business
at the commandant's office

and he thought he'd be rather
a long while

so he told me to go ahead
and find the house myself.

Well, you see how I found it.

I know it sounds silly
getting lost at West Point

but it's such a big place,
and I've never been here before

and I've forgotten
all my father's directions.

You see, I took that path
over there by the rose garden

and when I got in
the middle of the rose garden

I turned to admire the view..

Really, sir, I've been just as
carefully brought up as you have

and I think if I can
make so bold

as to speak to a stranger

the least you can do
is to reply

particularly when
that stranger's a lady.

I've told you who I am
and where I come from

and what my father's
business is here

and that certainly,
in an emergency

should be introduction enough.

And the least you can do
is stand still

when I'm speaking to you.

That's better.

Oh. Oh!

I've never been so outrageously
treated in all my life!

'I always thought West Point
was a place for gentlemen!'

I always thought
our army was composed

of the flower of our country!

'I shall tell my father
about this.'

'I shall tell Colonel Sheridan
about this!'

'Oh, you needn't
start back now.'

It's too late. Go on your way.

You can rehearse
all the apologies you like

but I shan't stay here
to listen to any of them.

Good day, sir.

Mr. Custer.

You're wanted at the
commandant's office immediately.

You'd better get there
at the double quick.

Right. Hang on to this,
will you, sergeant?

That isn't the right direction!

Oh, yes, it is!

Miss Bacon.

Miss Bacon. Please,
you don't understand.

I couldn't speak to you.
It's against regulations.

Do you understand?

Halt!

If you're looking for
Colonel Sheridan's house

this is the right way.

I'm very sorry if I seemed rude

but, you see,
while you're walking guard duty

you're not allowed to talk
to anyone about anything.

Well, then
why didn't you say so?

Well, I couldn't speak.

Oh, you mean you couldn't speak!

No! I mean, yes!
Uh, I couldn't.

Oh!

Oh.

Well, thank you very much, sir.

And now that I've reached
my destination..

Oh, Miss Bacon?

Miss Bacon, please
don't go inside yet.

There's something
I want to say to you.

You see, I'm from Monroe, too.

I haven't time
to talk to you now.

I'm due at
the commandant's office

and if I keep
Colonel Sheridan waiting..

Oh, you can tell Uncle Phil
you were with me.

- Uncle Phil?
- Colonel Sheridan.

Oh, is he your uncle?

Well, no, not exactly,
but, you see

he and my father are
old friends, and when I was

a little girl,
I used to sit on his knee.

Oh, I see.

Well, I'm certainly glad
you never sat on my knee.

- Sir?
- Oh!

I don't mean it that way,
Miss Bacon.

I mean, if you had
been little enough

to sit on my knee, you'd have
been too old for me now.

I mean, I'd have been
too old for you now.

Oh.

Look, Miss Bacon,
I really must go now

but do you think if I were to
come strolling past your house

around 9 o'clock at night

you might be just sitting
around on the verandah?

Life is full of surprises.

And if I did find you
sitting on the porch

perhaps you and I could go
for a walk together.

We seem to have
been walking together..

- ...ever since we met.
- Yes.

Well, I can't imagine,
ma'am, if I may say so

any pleasanter journey,
ma'am, than walking

through life with you
beside me, ma'am.

I must go now.

Cadet Custer, sir,
reporting as ordered.

Mr. Custer, have you any idea..

- ...why I sent for you?
- No, sir.

Do you know that
you have the worst record

of any cadet that West Point
has had in years?

- Yes, sir.
- 'Why?'

I don't know, sir.
That's been puzzling me, too.

Well, since you can't
answer that question

perhaps you can tell me
why on the very eve

of your chance to graduate,
you become involved

in an undignified brawl
with a civilian.

- Oh, it wasn't a civilian, sir.
- What?

Oh, no. Just a marine.

Oh.

Well, marine or civilian

most unbecoming behavior
for a West Point cadet

to engage in fisticuffs
on a public street.

Only extreme provocation
could call for such conduct.

Well, that's just
what it was, sir.

He said he'd been through
two wars

and never seen
a dead cavalryman.

What? Why..

Well, I trust when he recovers
from your, uh, reproof

that he'll be taken out
to the cemetery

and shown the grave
of Light Horse Harry Lee.

Mr. Custer, I suppose you had
hoped to graduate with..

- ...the rest of your class?
- Yes, sir.

And if you had graduated,
what were your plans?

Oh, an assignment to
the 2nd Cavalry, sir.

That's the finest regiment
in the army.

But I'm afraid there
won't be any vacancies left

if the others beat me
to Washington.

In that case, I suggest
you leave on the next train.

Sir? You mean, I..

You are the last
of the class to be graduated.

The others have already
received their diplomas.

Thank you, sir.

And I trust that
your future conduct

as an officer of
the United States Army

will justify
my confidence in you.

Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.

And now..

That train leaves in an hour.

Yes, sir.

Oh. In an hour, sir?

I'm afraid I'll have to
catch the late train, sir.

What? Why?

Well, I, uh..

Well, you see, I..

I sent my laundry
out yesterday

and it hasn't
come back yet, sir.

Mr. Custer,
you have been running

for three years
to catch that train.

I suggest that you
keep on running.

- Yes, sir, but my--
- With or without your laundry!

Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.

You know, Taipe,
the American army has always

found places
for its fighting fools.

Wouldn't surprise me
if even your friend

Ulysses Grant were to show up
somewhere in this war.

Oh, father.

Hello, my dear.

Back from your walk already?

What are you doing
sitting here alone?

Oh, it's such a lovely night

that I just didn't want
to go inside.

Mm-hmm. Sounds as if
you're falling in love

with, uh... West Point.

Oh, it's a beautiful place.

Especially when you
have a handsome young cadet'

'to show it to you
in the moonlight.'

I didn't go for my walk.

- Why not?
- He didn't come back.

He didn't come..

Why, the young scoundrel!

A West Point cadet
is supposed to

be an officer and a gentleman.

I'll speak to
Colonel Sheridan about him.

The insolent puppy!
What's his name?

I don't know, and you mustn't
talk about him like that.

- And why not?
- Because he's the man..

...I'm going to marry!

How does the
adjutant general feel this morning?

He's barking like a fox!

Any orders for me yet, corporal?

No, Lieutenant Custer.

I'm sick of hanging around
here for weeks

waiting to see
the adjutant general.

I've written him time after time

asking for an assignment
to a regiment

any cavalry regiment,
and I don't get any answer.

Now, by Judas, I'm going in
to see him in person.

Sorry, sir, he'll see no one
except by appointment.

He won't, eh? Hah.

Help! Fire! Spies!

Sabotage!

What the hell is all this?
Get the fire brigade!

'Get water!
Get water, you imbeciles!'

'Don't let anybody in or out!'

- Well..
- Why, Major Taipe.

Why, I'm very glad
to see you, sir.

Say, would you mind
saying a word

to the adjutant general
on my behalf?

You see, I've been waiting
around here

for weeks to be assigned and--

I have a feeling that
you're responsible

for this confusion, Mr. Custer.

But it will serve you
to no purpose.

Because I happen to be
the adjutant general.

Also, I happen to be well aware

that you've been a-waiting
around for orders.

And you'll continue to wait
until every competent officer

has been assigned
to active duty.

And then, Mr. Custer,
I may find a place for you.

Training infantry recruits!
Good day!

You ain't done much with
your soup, boss. Don't like?

No, it's alright,
but you can take it away.

Yes, sir. Got something over
here that'll excite your palate.

Yes, sir.

Creamed onions.

Specialty of the house, sir.

Ever since
President Andrew Jackson's time.

Say, waiter..

Isn't that General Scott,
General Winfield Scott?

- How do you do, Charles?
- Very well, thank you.

Kind of late today, general.

Ah, these are busy times,
Charles. Busy times.

Yes, sir, that's the general.

Commander-in-chief.

A powerful
eatin' gentleman, sir.

Only time for a snack, Charles.

I'll have
my hors d'oeuvres, soup

double rib sirloin,
potatoes au gratin

asparagus, spiced pears

and, of course,
the creamed Bermuda onions.

I'm desolate, general.

The last portion
of Bermuda onions'

just been served.

'I'll prepare more myself,
if you'll just wait.'

Wait, man, wait, with
the Southern patrol at Manassas?

'This is war, Charles, war.'

'I'll order the sweet later.'

Yes, sir.

Pardon me, sir. Mr. Custer, sir.

I couldn't help overhearing
what you said, general.

These onions have
just been served to me.

I'd deem it a pleasure, sir,
if you'd accept them.

That's very generous of you

but I couldn't deprive you
of them.

That is, of all of them.

Will you lunch with me,
Mr. Custer?

Thank you, sir.

That's a good one, sir.

Uh, you mentioned having
no appetite, Mr. Custer.

How do you account for that?

Oh, I think I lost it

in the adjutant general's
office, sir.

Camping around there
for three weeks

waiting for an assignment,
and all the time

the rebels rolling down
on Washington.

Indeed? How did you do
at West Point?

Well, sir,
first in equitation, sir

first in swordplay.

- And studies?
- Unh-unh.

I was afraid you'd ask
that, sir. Last.

Confidentially, young man

I saw the West Point
examination papers myself.

And the only question
I could have answered was

"Name the present
commander-in-chief

of the United States Army."

Mr. Custer, I think you better

walk across the street with me.

As soon as we've disposed
of the Bermudas.

Right, sir.

What.

Oh, I'm sorry!

I warn you, Custer, it's a fatal
mistake to steam onions.

Even when they're sealed
in containers, sir?

Under any circumstances.

You steam all the best
out of 'em.

General, you certainly
know your onions.

Oh..

Hold him right here, Jones.
I may need him later.

Mr. Taipe,
you're the man we want to see.

Post this officer
to the 2nd Cavalry.

I know they have a vacancy
because I drew on them

for an aide this morning.

Yes, sir.

You've no objections
to the Second, I imagine.

If there's ever a finer regiment
in the U.S. Cavalry

sir, someone
will have to raise it.

When is the lieutenant
to report?

Tonight, I hope, sir.

Second may be going
into action tomorrow.

I can promise you
it will, my boy.

It's impossible for him
to report tonight.

There isn't a horse to be had
in Washington at any price, sir.

If there is no horse
for Mr. Custer

make the order to report
at the officer's first ability.

Very well, sir.

Sorry to disappoint you, Custer

but you'll see action
soon enough.

- Good luck.
- Thank you, sir.

- This is General Taipe's horse.
- Give him my compliments.

- But this--
- And get out of..

...my way, corporal!

Oh, Custer, sir.

Second lieutenant,
reporting for duty.

- Oh, glad to have you with us.
- Thank you, sir.

Mr. Custer, gentlemen.

- Hello.
- How are you?

Pleased to meet you, gentlemen.

- Have a drink, sir.
- Thank you.

Well, here's to bloody war
and quick promotion.

You bet, a fellow
oughta come out

of this a major at least.

'You're quite an optimist,
aren't you?'

'No, sir, just feel lucky.'

It'll take more than luck

with your grades in tactics.

- Well, hello, Sharp.
- You know each other?

Yes. General Blowhard and I were
at the academy together.

Sure, that's right, sir.

Now, there, gentlemen,
there's a face

I always like
to shake hands with.

Whoa, boy. Better be
a little circumspect with..

- ...your squadron commander.
- 'He had.'

You may have buffaloed your way
through West Point, Custer

but you'll toe the mark here.

Attention! Alright, gentlemen,
as you were.

Mr. Custer, sir, just reported.

Well, Mr. Custer, you arrived
at an opportune moment.

We're moving on
Manassas junction

attacking at 4:00 am.

4:00 a.m.? Good!

We'll have 'em
on the run by 4:00 pm.

I knew as soon as
I got down here

things would start moving.

Charge!

Come on, men! Forward!

Dismount!
Prepare to fight on foot.

Skirmishers!

Guide center! Forward!

What are you doing here, Custer?

You had orders to
retreat on Centerville.

I'm gonna hold that bridge
until the infantry get across.

You had your orders! G Troop!

Prepare to retire!

As you were, G Troop!

I'm in command here, Custer,
just as long as I can stand.

That suits me!

Come on, men.
Let's take that bridge!

Ready, aim, fire!

Charge!

Fire!

Forward!

Forward!

Oh, Custer, it's you.
Good work!

General Sheridan.
General Sheridan.

But you're hit, my boy.

Yeah, I guess I am.

Well, I guess we can't
grudge you a couple of weeks

in the hospital and a chance
to go home. Good luck!

- Now this hand.
- Oh. Ladies, please, please.

Isn't that enough?

Florence Nightingale
only had 30 nurses

to take care of an entire army

and it takes four of you
to give me a bath.

But, lieutenant, we only
want you to look your best

when you get your medal.

I don't want a medal.

I just want a beef steak
and a bottle of bourbon.

- Oh.
- 'Attention!'

At ease.

Hello, Custer.
How are you, my boy?

Oh, terrible, sir, terrible.

I get groomed and curried
by squads

of these nice ladies,
eight hours a day, sir.

That's one of the horrors
of war, my boy.

Never mind. You'll be out
of here before long.

Mr. Custer, when an officer

deliberately disobeys
orders in action

there can be but
one of two consequences..

A firing squad or a medal.

You seem to have drawn
the medal. This time.

Thank you, sir.
That kind of balances me up.

An ounce of lead
in my right shoulder

an ounce of silver
on my left.

Now, is there
anything else you need?

Yes, there is just
one thing, sir.

- What's that?
- A letter of introduction.

- To whom?
- To a Mr. Bacon, sir.

Of Monroe. I understand
he's an acquaintance of yours.

Yes, he is. He..

But you're from Monroe.

You ought to know
Mr. Bacon yourself.

Well, I'm not from
his side of town, sir.

Oh, I see.

Alright, my boy.

I'll write that letter
before I leave.

Thank you, sir.

Oh, I don't suppose
you happen to know

that, uh, Mr. Bacon
is the father

of a very pretty young woman?

Oh, is that so?

Oh, ahem. Well, take care
of that shoulder.

- Good luck, my boy.
- Thank you, sir.

Squad, at ease.

Ladies, I owe you
a debt of gratitude

that no words of mine
can ever repay.

'Your devoted ministrations
have performed'

'a miracle
and hastened my recovery.'

Oh, thank you,
Lieutenant Custer.

And now, I'm getting up!

- Oh! Oh, no!
- What?

Oh, Lieutenant Custer,
you can't! You mustn't!

Oh, but I can and I must!

You're not well enough.

Squad, attention!

Ladies, I bid you
a fond farewell.

Squad, at ease!

- What are we going to do?
- Let's go.

- Come back here!
- Get back here!

♪ In place of water
we'll drink ale ♪

♪ And pay no reckoning
on the nail ♪

♪ No man for debt
shall go to jail ♪

♪ If he from
Garryowen hail.. ♪

♪ In place of water
we'll drink ale ♪

♪ And pay no reckoning
on the nail ♪

♪ No man for debt
shall go to jail ♪

♪ If he from
Garryowen hail ♪

♪ Let Bacchus' sons
be not dismayed ♪

♪ And join with me
each jovial blade ♪

♪ Come booze and sing
and lend your aid ♪

♪ To help me
with the chorus ♪

♪ In place of water
we'll drink ale ♪

♪ And pay no reckoning
on the nail ♪

♪ No man for debt
shall go to jail ♪

♪ If he from
Garryowen hail ♪♪

That's a fine song, sir.
What is it?

Ah, a brother cavalier,
eh, what?

Butler, sir. Queen's own butler
they call me in the mess.

Late of the
Fifth Royal Lancers

presently of the
First Michigan Cavalry.

Ah, very happy, sir.

Custer, 2nd U.S. Cavalry.

Custer? I say, not the bloke
who did the show at Bull Run?

- Yeah.
- Oh, won't you sit down, sir?

- Thanks
- Uh, hi there, tapster.

Unlimber that merry
old spigot arm of yours.

There are pots to be tossed!

Won't you join us
in a drink, sir?

Oh, no, thanks, sir.

Mustn't have the smell of liquor
on my breath today

but I'd be glad to buy
you gentlemen a round.

- Oh..
- Tell me..

...how did you come to join
the First Michigan?

Well, I couldn't spell
Connecticut-a.. Connecticut.

Well, it speaks
for itself, eh, what?

But, sir, you asked
about the song.

The song, sir,
the name is "Garryowen"

and the Fifth Royal Lancers
rather fancied it

because it goes only well
on a horse!

I'd like to learn
that song, sir.

Well, I'm the lad
to teach you, sir.

We'll just trot through
the verse together

and the rest of you can
barge in on the chorus.

♪ Let Bacchus' men
be not dismayed ♪

♪ And join with me
each jovial blade ♪

♪ Come booze and sing
and lend your aid ♪

♪ To help me
with the chorus ♪

♪ In place of water
we'll drink ale ♪

♪ And pay no reckoning
on the nail ♪

♪ No man for debt
shall go to jail ♪

♪ If he from
Garryowen hail ♪

'Alright, boys, together now.'

♪ In place of water
we'll drink ale ♪

♪ And pay no reckoning
on the nail ♪

♪ No man for debt
shall go to jail.. ♪

- Oh, good day, Mr. Bacon.
- Oh, good day, Mr. Cartwright.

Huh, I hardly expected to meet
you in this part of town.

Uh, I'm down here
collecting the rents.

Whenever it falls due,
I-I wish my family

had never acquired the property.

Uh, but when the lease is up,
I intend to see

that the new tenant
puts it to a better use.

That is a consummation
devoutly to be wished.

It's a blot upon
the face of our community.

- Yes, yes, yes.
- Well, good day, Mr. Bacon.

Good day.

♪ And pay no reckoning
on the nail ♪

♪ No man for debt
shall go to jail ♪

♪ If he from
Garryowen hail.. ♪

You! Tell Mr. Sullivan
I wish to see him on business.

Find him yourself. I'm busy.

How dare you address me
with such insolence!

I'm here to collect the rent.

♪ If he from
Garryowen hail ♪♪

Be quiet, you drunken riffraff.

Riffraff?

I'll advise you to be more
careful of your words, sir.

And I'd advise you, sir, to be
more careful of your uniform.

Bringing disgrace on it
with this drunken behavior!

What? Drunken?

Why, you..

You fat little pipsqueak.

This gentleman's a soldier, sir.

He stands up in battle
and gets shot at

so that sanctimonious
little skinflints

like you can run around
town in safety

doing business as usual.

And if he wants to get drunk

while he's on leave,
what business..

- ...is it of yours?
- Hear! Hear!

That's telling the old blighter
where he gets off, eh, what?

And if you don't
like our society

why do you barge in on it?

I'm here, sir

because I prefer to
collect the rent of this

this establishment personally

rather than expose my clerks
to such an atmosphere

of-of degrading debauchery!

Degrading debauchery?

The chap's quite
an orator, what?

Your conduct is only

what I would expect
from a foreigner.

But as for you, sir

you're a disgrace
to the Union Army!

Drum him out, queen's own!

♪ Dun dun ta dun ♪

Huh!

♪ Dun ta dun lu lu lu ♪

♪ Bum bum bum bum ♪♪

Do I have to drink
the tea every time?

If you want
the fortune to come true.

That's the fourth time today
I done read

the tea leaves
for you, Miss Libby.

You keep on drinkin' tea
like that

and you goin' to turn
as yellow as a canary.

Oh. Onions.

One... two..

...three.

There. I made my wish.

You gonna get that
wish all wore out

before it comes true.

Here we is, you and me

askin' our fortune from the tea

look in the cup and I'll see..

What I see!

Now, now, what's this I see?

What's this?

Appears to be like a bird.

Yes'm, here's his wings
spreadin' out.

He's flyin' this way.

Oh, yes, Callie,
I can see it's a bird

but what does it mean?

It's a message comin'
straight to you.

From him?

Give me time, Miss Libby,
give me time.

Hmm, what's that tall
and straight.

- ...walkin' beside the bird?
- Oh, let me see!

Don't touch it,
Miss Libby, don't touch it.

You'll spoil the spell.

Why, I declare, it's a man.

Now, what's he doin'?

He's pullin' on somethin'
with his left hand.

- Now, what can that be?
- A horse.

He's in the cavalry.

No, it ain't a horse.

It ain't a gun.

It's, it's..

No, it ain't a sword, neither.

- Oh, Callie!
- I's got it! I's got it!

- What?!
- It's a doorbell!

Somebody's gotta answer
the door.

And that somebody ain't me.

That's magic, that bell.

Oh, nonsense, Callie.
It's alright.

Go on, Callie, answer it.

Go on. It's alright.

Oh, feet, keep me
from slipping down.

Get my rabbit's foot!

Brother Rabbit, work your charm.

Keep this child
away from harm.

Ain't got time
to kneel and pray

don't you let me down today.

Here he is, Miss Libby!
Here he is!

Just like the dead
risin' up and sayin' howdy.

What's the matter
with you, Miss Libby?

You's done got your wish
and you're standin' there

just like your feet
is glued in molasses.

Please, Callie.

This, this gentleman,
Mister, uh, Mister..

- Why, Custer, ma'am.
- Uh, Mr. Custer..

...hasn't stated
what he's here for.

I have a letter
of introduction, ma'am

to your father
from General Sheridan.

My father will be home
presently.

And an apology for you.

- Isn't it a little late?
- A little late?

3 o'clock on a bright,
shiny afternoon?

Now, don't you go gettin'
uppity, Miss Libby

'cause the tea leaves,
they never forgets

'and they never forgive.'

If you'd care to wait
for my father

I'll show you into
the drawing room.

But, Miss Bacon

it was really you
I came to see.

But why?

Because, ma'am..

...I can't imagine
anything worse, ma'am

than walking through life
without you.

Now, don't propose you come
strolling by here at 9 o'clock

and find me sitting
on the porch again.

I'm sorry, ma'am.
Won't you forgive me?

It really wasn't my fault.

And I'm not really angry.

I just thought
I should pretend to be.

I knew when
you didn't come back..

- ...that you had a good reason.
- Oh, yes.

You see, I had
to report to Washington

and I barely had time
to catch the train.

And a train won't wait,
but a woman will.

Thank you, ma'am.

I was hoping
you'd say that, ma'am.

Tell me, uh

have you always lived
in this big house?

Yes. Why?

Oh, nothing, except
I remember it well.

I used to ride by here often
when I was a little fella

on my way to go swimming.

I remember there was
a sassy little brat of a girl

who used to hang
on the gate outside

and stick her tongue out at me.

I think I pulled her pigtails
for her once.

Was it you who pulled
my pigtails?

Was it you who owned them?

- Oh, dear.
- What is it?

I don't see how I can
smell those onions

all the way
from the kitchen, but..

Onions? Onions?

That's funny.
I don't smell 'em.

Don't you like onions?

Oh, I, I love them!

I just thought that maybe
you didn't like them.

Oh, no.
No, I'm very fond of them.

Uh, Callie, will you go
into the kitchen, please

and bring us back some
of those nice

young green spring onions?

Onions?

Yes, Callie, onions.

You know I simply love them.

I knows what you love, honey.
It ain't onions.

Oh, pardon me.

I didn't mean
to touch your hand.

It's certainly a pleasure,
ma'am, to find somebody

who appreciates onions
the way you do.

I was reading the other
day where Marshal Murat

used to demolish practically
a whole plateful for breakfast.

Oh. Oh, please,
I'll take that one.

Look, here's a much
better one for you.

See the fine, long grain
in that one?

Good smell to it, too.

Try it.
That'll have a bite to it.

So, I said to
the general, all I want

sir, is two things,
a week's leave

and a letter of introduction
to your father.

Now..

...when you see father
all you have to do..

...say to him

"may I come back tonight
and call on Libby?"

No, you better say
"Miss Bacon" at first.

Yes, that'd be better.

And whatever you do,
don't be afraid of him.

Afraid?

You're talking
to a soldier, ma'am.

Why, you's back early,
Mr. Bacon.

Yes, I am.

Oh, here comes father now.

He's really a darling,
though he looks severe

so-so just speak up.

I will, ma'am.

Father, dear,
I'm so glad to see you.

My dear.

I want you to meet
Lieutenant Custer.

- Lieutenant Custer?
- Yes.

He has a letter
from Uncle Phil Sheridan.

General Sheridan!
Oh, this must be important.

How did this fellow
get into my house?!

Why, father,
he has a letter from Uncle Phil.

So, I'm a fat little
pipsqueak, am I?

I'm a sanctimonious
old skinflint, am I?

- But, father--
- You hold your tongue, Libby!

'How dare you come from
that den of iniquity'

that haunt of debauchery

to pollute the air
of a gentleman's home!

I'm sorry, sir, but
if you'll allow me to explain--

There can be no explanation

for your rowdy,
insulting conduct!

Certainly none that's fit

'for the ears
of my innocent daughter!'

But, sir, I have a letter
here of introduction--

If you had a letter from the
President of the United States

your presence here
would be equally offensive!

Get out of my house, sir! Go on!

I'll-I'll-I'll show
him out, Mr. Bacon.

Right this way, sir,
and good riddance.

The idea of you unrefined
aggravatin' quality folks

like them,
Mr. Bacon done ordered you out

and out you is goin'
right now, sir!

But not for good.
You is coming back.

9 o'clock at the gate.

Brother Rabbit,
work your charm

and keep that big boy
out of harm.

Libby.

'Tain't unless
you's color-blind.

Where is she?
I thought you said--

Shh!

Her papa's home with his
special kickin'-out boots.

Miss Libby's in her room
locked in. Come on.

Why, that ugly old fossil.
He can't do that to her.

That's what she yelled
while he turned that lock.

They had a difference
of opinion about you.

Now she's upstairs
with her opinion

and he's downstairs with his.
Can you climb?

Up there? Sure.
But wait a minute.

I don't wanna cause
her any more trouble.

We better arrange a signal
in case he comes out.

I can hoot like an owl.

- You can?
- Hoo hoo!

Oh, that's fine.

George.

Libby.

Oh, George.

Isn't it awful?

It's worse than that.

Just when I have
a chance to see you

I get orders.

What orders? I meant father.

Well, I meant Uncle Sam.

I've got to rejoin my regiment.

Oh, no. When?

- Tonight.
- Oh... you can't.

You'll be killed.

I won't let you!

Who's out here?

- Just us owls, sir.
- Who?

Just me and an old owl,
Mr. Bacon.

'Have you seen
anything of that scoundrel?'

No, sir, I ain't seen
hide nor hair

of no scoundrel, sir.

Well, keep your eyes open.

Yes, sir, that's just
what I'm doing, sir.

- Is he gone?
- I think so.

Of course,
there's always the chance

he may come back again.

Oh, Libby.

Will you marry me?

Yes, George.

What did you say?

What? I said,
will you marry me?

When I'm a general.

Oh, lieutenant.

Oh, it's easy
to become a general.

Then that old crab..

...I mean, that nice
old father of yours

will be proud of me,
like to have me in the family.

He'll be waiting at the station
with this hat in his hand.

Yes, general.

The old owl.

Holy smoke!
It's your father.

Good-bye.

What did you have
to wake up for, you old devil?

Don't you wink at me.

Take an order, corporal.

Commanding Officer,
16th Ohio Infantry.

You're required
to report immediately

the percentage of, uh,
a, Methodists

b, Baptists

c, other denominations
among recruits

using form A.G.O. 117
less section 12

in compiling the return.

By order, et cetera, et cetera
and initial it, will you?

From the colonel
of the second cavalry, sir.

He refuses to
send back your horse

until Lieutenant Custer's
return on the 20th.

- That's tomorrow, sir.
- Oh, he does, does he?

Honor among horse
thieves, I suppose.

Well, we'll see about that.
Take an order.

Lieutenant
George Armstrong Custer

'Second Cavalry.'

Taipe,
Lee has given us the slip.

We don't know
where he's heading.

Put every Cavalry unit
in G.H.Q.

in reserve honoring the move.

- Get them going, Taipe.
- Yes, sir.

Take an order, sergeant.

Form A.G.O. 21.

No, use the new form,
A.G.O. 201.

It isn't issued yet.
Get it from supply.

Take care of his desk, Smith.

What's the Michigan Brigade
doing at Hanover?

Refitting, sir.

They lost their commander

and haven't been assigned
a brigadier yet.

Then appoint one.

Take the senior man
on the list of cavalry colonels.

Well, I don't know
who he is offhand, sir.

You can find out later.
Dictate an order now.

Yes, sir.

Take this, corporal.

I've been instructed
to inform you

that you've been promoted
to the rank

'of brigadier general
as of this date.'

On receipt of these orders

you'll proceed at once
to Hanover

and assume command
of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade.

General Scott, sir. News.

Lee has invaded Pennsylvania.

His patrols are near Gettysburg.

Near Gettysburg?

This means a reconcentration.

Come with me, gentlemen.

- Will you sign this order, sir?
- Yes.

- Come, Taipe.
- Yes, sir.

Gettysburg.

Where the deuce is Gettysburg?

This is your tent, lieutenant.
I'll unpack your kit.

You'll find the officers' mess
at the end of the road, sir.

E-excuse me, lieutenant.

I represent George Straith
Limited, military tailors.

We have the honor
to-to serve General Grant

General Sherman,
General Scott.

Have you any requirements?
Great coat? Breeches?

No, thanks.

We could cut a fine tunic

for a figure like yours,
lieutenant.

And if there's any ideas
that you have of your own

we'd be only too glad
to incorporate them.

No, thanks, I don't need any.

There's a new shell jacket
that's being admired

particularly by the ladies.

Oh, why don't you shut up
and leave me alone?

I can see
you're out of sorts, lieutenant.

But if you'd only give me
a chance to show you--

Shut up and get out!

- Welcome back, general.
- Welcome, general.

- General.
- General?

I'll have you know, gentlemen,
I'm in no mood for humor.

Good afternoon, general.

Orderly, I'd like
a little coffee, please.

Congratulations, general.

Now, that's enough
of this fooling.

The next man
who calls me general

is gonna find out there's
a limit to one's patience--

For General Custer.

Sharp, I'll take this
from anyone but you.

Now, wait a minute.
We're not being funny.

The lord knows how or why,
but you really are a general.

- What do you mean?
- It's in orders.

And here's a letter
from headquarters

addressed to Brigadier General
George Armstrong Custer.

Is this someone's
idea of a joke?

There are no jokes in orders.

This makes less sense to me
than it does to you.

'There must be
some mistake.'

They don't make generals
out of shavetails.

I'd ask for verification
if I were you.

Well, you don't happen
to be me, Sharp.

If there are four regiments
of Cavalry

waiting for
a General named Custer

then they've got him.

Hey!

Oi, hey! Tailor!

Hey! Tailor! Come here!

Come here!

Yesterday,
there was heavy fighting

about 20 miles from here.

Our army has been
driven out of Gettysburg

and now occupies a Ridge
below the town.

The brigade's orders are to
concentrate below this hill

marked "big round top"
on the map.

That means Jeb Stuart's moving
to flank us from the south.

Undoubtedly.

As Senior Colonel,
I'll assume command

if this new brigadier
hasn't arrived

by the time we move.

Just who this Custer is
and why he's not here yet

I don't profess to know.

'Turn out the
guard! Commanding officer!'

We'll get a chance to see
what he looks like now.

Judas priest, what's that?

He's got more gold braid on him
than a French admiral.

Gentlemen, we might as well

reach an understanding
at first sight.

'After seeing your columns
and your transports'

I'm here to tell you
that this brigade is through

with inefficiency as of today.

It's got to learn
the meaning of smartness

and that an order
is something to be obeyed.

Do I make myself clear?

- Yes, sir.
- Yes, sir.

We're ready to move, sir.

Brigade's ordered
to concentrate on round top

just south of Gettysburg.

What's that?

Probably some enemy patrol
raiding a supply column.

Lee's in Gettysburg

and Stuart's Cavalry's
in the south.

Rejoin your units, gentlemen.

Be prepared to move
in ten minutes

with columns headed east.

- East?
- What?

But the orders, sir.

To the devil with the orders!

We'll ride
to the sound of the guns.

Things look better now with
cemetery back in our hands

and sickles' front
restored, but, uh..

Yesterday, we lost 20,000 men.

Pickett's moved up
to reinforce Longstreet.

They're massing
to attack our center.

I'm not worried
about the center, Taipe

I'm worried about Jeb Stuart.

Why hasn't he tried
to turn the flank at round top?

'Cause he knows our cavalry's
concentrated there to stop him.

When did our cavalry
ever stop Jeb Stuart?

If he turns us,
the position's lost.

Washington
and Baltimore will fall.

Hanover?

Stuart-Stuart's corps
at Hanover? It's a mistake!

- Get verification at once!
- It has been verified, sir.

He's on our rear.

We're trapped.

All that stands between us
and total disaster

is the Michigan brigade,
a handful of volunteers.

But the Michigan brigade's
been ordered to round top, sir!

It's on its way now.

Then stop it, Taipe! Stop it!

Tell it to hold
its ground to the last man.

Who's the brigadier?

- Why, uh--
- Who is he, Taipe?!

Why..

Corporal Smith.

Corporal Smith.
Alright, as you were.

Who's the new commander
of the Michigan Cavalry?

- General Custer, sir.
- General Custer, sir.

Custer? What Custer's that?

George Armstrong Custer.

Here's a copy of the order.

What is this?
How did this happen?

Well, who is he?

Heaven help us, sir.

The Michigan brigade's
in the hands

of the most irresponsible,
incompetent, rattle-brained

second lieutenant
in the union army!

Seventh Michigan, forward..

Ho!

Trot! Ho!

Gallop! Ho!

Charge!

We're taking immediate action
as to Custer, sir.

This Custer of yours
is insubordinate, alright.

And thank God for it.

He's not marching on round top.

He's attacking Stuart
at Hanover!

Attacking?
Attacking a whole corps?

Instead of trying
to hold his ground

the mad fool's attacking!

That was a gallant charge,
men, even if it failed.

Sergeant, see that the wounded
are taken care of.

Senior Colonel presents
his compliments, sir.

The fifth and sixth Michigan
are formed for attack.

Are there any orders?

We'll try more weight this time.

The fifth and sixth
will attack together.

Very good, sir.

Where will the general's
headquarters be located?

Headquarters? In front of
the attacking regiment.

Fifth and sixth Michigan,
forward!

Ho!

Trot! Ho!

Gallop! Ho!

Charge!

The order in question,
General Custer

being erroneous,
is hereby revoked

and you will, as of this date

revert to the rank
of second lieutenant.

Never mind that, Taipe.

"Consecutive attacks by seventh
sixth, fifth Michigan cavalry

"have been repulsed with
heavy loss near Hanover.

Enemy advance continues!"

Three regiments thrown away
by an irresponsible fool.

Three out of our last four.

Ride, you wolverines!

First Michigan, charge!

What is it? What is it?
Read it to me, man!

"Stuart retiring in
disorder after assault

"by first Michigan Cavalry.

'Enemy abandoning guns.

Now, gentlemen..

...if Meade can hold
the Ridge at Gettysburg,

by God's grace,
the union will be saved.

General..

About this Custer matter..

What do you propose to do?

Do? Do, Taipe?

Oh, yes. Custer.

I intend to walk
across the street

and buy myself a double portion
of creamed Bermuda onions.

Hello, Charles, good to see you.

Welcome. Welcome.

Welcome home, general.
Welcome home.

- Thanks, sir.
- We're proud of you, sir.

And proud to know
that one of our townsmen

has won such glory.

You're a credit to Monroe, sir

and to the United States Army.

Thank you, sir.

Now, the parade will
form on Elm Street.

We will turn into "D" street,
cross the parkway

and then march right up
main street.

Kindly stay on the sidewalks.

'Those of you who wish
to march with us..'

'...fall in after
the committee has passed.'

The band will lead the parade

followed by myself and general.

Libby.

Aren't you forgetting yourself?

It's quite alright, Mr. Bacon.

Everything's alright.
Very proper. We're engaged.

Well... splendid. Splendid.

And we're going to be married.

Today, I brought
my regimental chaplain

and General Sheridan himself
is gonna be best man, sir.

That is, of course,
with your permission.

My permission?

Well, now, uh,
of course, general

I shall be honored to give it

but you mustn't
be too impetuous.

After all, there's the
announcement, the arrangement.

If you get married today,
you can't have any of these.

But I shall have
General George Armstrong Custer

and he's what
I started out to get.

Libby, this is
positively unmaidenly.

After today, that won't matter.

Where did Miss Libby get herself
such a fine handsome man?

Why, child,
I found him in a teacup.

There's two gentlemen to
see General Custer, Miss Libby

and they claim
their name's Sharp.

Thank you, Jane.

You must let Callie
attend to the callers.

Yes'm.

Callie, has General Custer
returned home yet?

No, ma'am, not since he left

at his usual time this morning.

Then I'll receive
the callers in here.

Tell them the general's
expected home soon.

Yes'm, I'll tell 'em
he's downtown

'taking care of some business.'

I don't hold with you,
Major Smith.

I don't hold with you
at all, sir.

Mm. Ahh!

If Lee had concentrated
his artillery

and succeeded in, uh,
Enfilading round top

we would have been
licked to death at Gettysburg.

Why didn't he, general?

Well, who knows?

Every great soldier
has a bad day

and perhaps it was Lee's
turn at Gettysburg.

Uh-oh.

Well, he who drinks
and runs away

lives to drink another day.

Thank you, Joe.
Step up to the bar, boys.

My pleasure. Set 'em up, Joe.

Mr. Sharp, the money
doesn't matter

but what you offer
is the answer to a prayer.

I'd almost given up hope
of George's ever finding

anything suited
to him in civil life.

We know of no one else
so well-qualified, Mrs. Custer.

Oh, the West
will appeal to him.

It's not like
being caged in an office.

Oh, I don't have
to tell you Mr. Sharp

'how difficult it is
for a man like my husband'

'to adjust himself
to common place existence.'

'Oh, Ned had difficult there.'

He spent the last
two years of the war

cooling his spars
under a desk in Taipe's office.

'For General Custer--'

Oh, it's-it's not the danger

the excitement,
I mean, Mr. Sharp..

...well, before
our marriage, George

I thought a soldier
was just a civilian

with brass buttons on his coat.

Oh! So you're here at last.

I'm afraid I've been boring
these gentlemen dreadfully.

Well, they'll get no sympathy
from me, darling.

Madam, until this afternoon

I'd envied General Custer
only his fame.

Oh, Mr. Sharp.
But you'll excuse me.

I-I have some flowers
I must cut in the garden.

Hm.

I hope you'll forgive
this intrusion, Custer.

The North and the South have
forgotten their difficulties

so I hope we can forget ours.

May I present my father
William Sharp. General Custer.

- How do you do, sir?
- How do you do?

Oh, do you know,
sir, I was joking

with the adjutant general
about you last week.

- Oh. Taipe?
- Yes, Taipe.

You stole his horse
on one occasion, it seems.

That's right. A fine animal.

Much too good for him. Drink?

Yes, thank you,
we've come from Washington

especially to see you, general.

Indeed? Why?

Because there's money
in fame these days.

We've come to offer you
the presidency

of the Western Railroad
Land and Trading Company

at a salary of $10,000 a year.

It's a corporation I organized

for the development of
the Dakota territories.

But, uh, what use could I be
to a concern of that kind?

I'm a soldier.

Well, you're
a national hero, Custer.

Your name would
make it easy for us

to get, uh,
government concessions

such as trading monopolies
at army posts.

And, of course, it would go far

in selling stock to the public.

My name?

I see.

What's this stock worth?

Nothing, naturally

until it begins
to earn dividends.

Then I'm not interested.

My name stands for something

and I'll not gamble
what it means

on the success or failure
of any business venture.

Not interested.

General, I'm afraid
you've an inclination

to be a romantic fool.

'An admirable one, no doubt'

'but, uh, nonetheless a fool.'

Can a man of your distinction

bear the thought of living
off his wife's estate?

'I know the thought hasn't
occurred to you, general but--'

It's occurred to me.

'We're offering you a chance'

'to serve the nation'

as much as on the battlefield.

The company will
bring civilization

to an enormous
waste of territory

which is at present in the hands
of bloodthirsty savages.

- 'Why, it's as fine a--'
- That's enough!

I'll gamble.
I'll gamble with anything.

My money, my sword,
my life, if necessary.

...but there's one thing
I won't gamble with

and that's my good name.

Good day, gentlemen.

You're excited, general. Now--

It's not an offer
that comes twice--

No. Once is enough.

Quite enough.

Good day, gentlemen.

What did the Sharps
want of you, George?

Only my name,
for a stock promotion.

Only your name?

Yes. They wanted to hire
it for $10,000 a year.

It's a lot of money

but we've five dogs
and 11 horses now.

What could we have
done with it?

Well, think of all
the bags of onions

we could have bought.

To keep me away from you,
I suppose.

Aren't you happy here,
Mr. Custer?

Mrs. Custer... I've never
been so happy in my life.

'Mrs. Custer, sir.'

General Sheridan should
have warned me, ma'am.

Oh, I thought Uncle Phil
had advised you that--

Oh, he advised me of your coming

but he didn't warn me
that I would meet

the most beautiful girl
I ever laid eyes on.

Oh, you're very kind,
General Scott

and very embarrassing.

Upon my soul, ma'am

you make me regret
this unchivalrous age.

If ever a lady's hand
deserved to be saluted

it is certainly yours.

Forgive an old soldier.

It was the custom in his youth.

Did Uncle Phil tell you
the purpose of my coming

General Scott?

No. He said it was a matter
for my decision, in any event.

- It's about my husband.
- Of course. Custer.

I should have asked you,
how is the lucky dog?

Not so lucky, I'm afraid.

Oh, well, that's bad.

Is he in ill health?

Not exactly, General Scott

but inactivity is doing
something to him

undermining him.

George Will never be
himself out of the army.

He's not happy..

...even though
he pretends to be.

Oh, General Scott

can't you put him back
into active service?

My dear, I know what eats a man

who has endured
the tension of war for years.

It's like a drug, that tension.

A man can't live without it.

Oh, please,
General Scott. Please.

Mrs. Custer, I'm bound
by the rule of seniority

'in making appointments,
the rule of the army.'

- Oh!
- Oh, come, come, my child.

You're unduly distressed
about George.

Time is a healer.
Time will cure him.

No, no. It will destroy him.

There's something you haven't
told me isn't there?

It's very difficult
for me to tell you this

but I'm afraid, so afraid.

He's been drinking so much,
much more than he knows.

Oh.. I see.

I can't bear to think
of him in degradation.

Oh, General Scott

you've got to do
something to save him.

We owe him so much.

All of us.

There, there, my dear.

You're quite right.

We do owe him a lot.

I'm an old soldier, Mrs. Custer.

I reckon to call no instance

that I have consciously
departed from my obvious duty.

I meant to be
have a moral obligation

to your husband
as an individual.

But on the other hand

there is the inflexible
rule of the army.

Present there are over
50 unemployed officers

seniors in rank
to George Armstrong Custer.

Oh.

None of whom, however seem to
have married the right girl.

Oh.

'Yes, sir,
that is a handsome piece.'

'Uncle Phil was
just sending the watch to you'

'when I popped in on him.'

'The brigade asked him
to choose it.'

'Huh. Those are great boys.'

'And great days.'

And the little miniature
of you is beautiful.

And the chain
belonged to father.

I always wanted you to have it.

It's beautiful.

Here's your mornin' mail,
general.

Thank you.

Well, that must have been
a dull trip, darling.

It wasn't so dull.

I had a lot of shopping
to do, you know,

and, of course, it was wonderful
to see Uncle Phil again.

I missed you.

How do you like your eggs
this mornin', general?

- Boiled or fried?
- What?

'I said how'd
you like your eggs'

'boiled or fried?'

Eggs?! Sure!

Eggs! Boiled and fried!

And scrambled and poached
and rubbed into your hair!

The man's plumb crazy!

Libby! Libby, look!

I'm on the active list again
as a lieutenant colonel

to raise a regiment
of cavalry at Fort Lincoln.

Why, it even says they
passed up 50 senior officers

to give me the job.

Oh, darling, how wonderful!

Oh, I'm so glad for you!

- But where's Fort Lincoln?
- Fort Lincoln..

In the Dakota territory,
I think. Wait a minute.

I'll get the map.
Sit down. Sit down.

Callie, General Custer
and I are going away

so you must pack those things
I mentioned this morning.

But, Miss Libby, what about
all your lovely things?

Your china, your silver,
and all your pretty clothes?

Well, I'll have
to leave those behind.

Callie..

I'll have to leave you, too.

But, Miss Libby

ain't y'all gonna have
nobody to fix for you

while you're way up there?

Oh, I'll get along, Callie.

Why, it's ridiculous, Miss Libby

givin' up your home
and your whole life.

I sure hopes the general

appreciates
What you're doin' for him.

Fort Lincoln, Fort Lincoln..

Fort Lincoln,
here it is! See?

Look.

You go by rail to Bismarck.

And from then on,
by wagon trail.

Move over there, sweetheart

before I cut the rest
of your tail off.

I beg your pardon?

I said, move over,
you dirty Ethiopian

son of a blue-bellied mohawk!

You mean the horse.

Stop that, you ornery,
owl-faced floozy

or I'll spit in your ear!

You made it!

Yeah, shucks,
that ain't nothin'.

I can spit
in a prairie dog's eye

at 50 feet.

Ain't nobody in these parts

can beat California Joe

when it, when it
comes to spittin'.

And who's California Joe?

Who?

That's me!

Oh, I see.

You come from California.

No, ma'am. No. No.

Well, then why do they
call you California Joe?

Why, I guess 'cause I..

'Cause I've been
aiming there for 27 years

and it looks like
I'll be aiming there

for 27 more years

with these Injuns
on the warpath here again.

Are we likely
to see any today?

No more likely than
you are to see them soldiers

in their fancy pants
from the fort.

Well, how's old California?

He taught you how
to chew tobacco yet?

No, but he's been
teaching me about Indians

and let me tell you, he has
no respect for soldiers, sir.

Oh, he hasn't, eh?
What's the matter with him?

Everything they don't
know is about Injuns.

Injuns is too ignorant
to fight right.

They-they fight wrong
every time.

That's why the soldiers
always get licked.

To lick a Injun, you gotta..

...ya gotta fight 'em
like an Injun.

There might be
something to that.

How would you like a job
with my outfit?

What... me?

Be a soldier
and wear them fancy pants

and wash my ears
with store soap

and sleep in a bed?

Ho... sir!

My business is shootin',
not salutin'.

I can't salute, anyway.

I got, I got rheumatism
in my saluting arm. I..

Well, I'm a dirty... look!

What's the matter?
What do you see?

Skin your eyeballs, son!

There's a redskin over
on that rock yonder!

- Indians?
- One, maybe two!

On your belly, ma'am!

They got your horses!

After them, men!

George, George!

Come on! Get outta here!

Now, signal your people,
drive back my horses

or I'll hang you
at the fort gate.

You give word,
not kill with rope?

I give word. Now signal.

I speak.

Why, you dirty, moth-eaten
cockeyed son of a rat!

Is today your birthday?

If it ain't old Crazy Horse,
chief of the Sioux.

'What a
shivaree there's gonna be'

when they drag you
into Fort Lincoln

on the end of that rope!

Oh, we'll take him in there

let him cool his heels
for 60 days.

Maybe he'll be a good boy.

Tie him up and put him
in the wagon.

I tell you, son, we better
vamoose outta here quick

before the rest of 'em
come back to get their chief.

I think you're right, Joe.

California, California.

What did she say?

She wants to know

if she can name that
papoose after me.

Oh, how charming.

Turn out the guard.

Get rid of that cigar.

Guard, turn out!

Ho!

Look at that guard.

'Filthy as a lot
of mountain goats.'

'Why, they don't even know
how to stand to attention.'

They're recruits, sir.

The regiment's just
been mustered in.

- We haven't a colonel yet.
- Oh, yes, you have.

You've got one now.

Why aren't there
any patrols out?

What are you all doing inside
this fort anyway, hiding?

This fort isn't here
to protect the army.

The army's supposed to be
outside protecting the trail.

Crazy Horse's Sioux
are raiding, sir.

We've orders to hole up.

Oh, you have, have you?

Bring out that Indian!

I'd like you to see,
Mr. Whatever-Your-Name-Is

just what's been holding up a
whole regiment of U.S. Cavalry.

- 'Crazy Horse! Yeah!'
- 'String him up!'

Back, back, all of you, back!

Or I'll turn him loose
and let him chase you!

You give word, Long Hair.

Shoot now. No rope.

I give word, Crazy Horse.

I keep my word.

Tell off a detail.
Take him to the guardhouse.

Yes, sir. You four men,
take charge of the prisoner.

And see that he's well treated.

Yes, sir.

You'll find headquarters
straight ahead, sir.

Out of the way.

California,
what are all these Indians

doing inside the fort?

Ahh... they, they're
tradin' for rifles.

Rifles?

Libby, you better go on. I'll
be with you in a few minutes.

California, take the wagons
on to my quarters.

Sure, oh, say, son,
about that joinin' the army

I, I calculate
I-I could change my mind

if I didn't have to wear
them fancy pants

'and, and-and-and no salutin'!'

Hup there, hoghead. Come on!

All about.

Forward.

Where's the owner
of this place?

Tell him to come out.
I want to see him.

Boss..

Well, look who's here.

You. Are you in charge here?

Yep, general manager

of all the company's
trading stores.

You turned down
a good thing, Custer.

Colonel Custer to you, Sharp.

I'm in command here

and don't you ever forget it.

I wanna know what
you're selling rifles for.

For $75 apiece.

They're civil war surplus
we bought from the government.

And you're selling
them to Indians?

What are these Indians
doing inside the fort, anyway?

Oh, they're, uh, friendlies.

Friendlies.

I certainly hope
you're right, Sharp.

These Winchesters
will outrange

any of our cavalry rifles,
and you know it.

Attention!
Commanding officer!

Sergeant, there's two men
brawling outside.

Have them put under arrest

for not being able
to hold their liquor.

They're supposed
to be cavalrymen.

- Yes, sir.
- At ease, men.

Well, colonel, I hope
you like your recruits.

They're about
the worst lot of rustlers

gunmen, and outcasts
that I've ever seen.

The scum of the earth.

It seems to be your business
to make them worse.

Now, look, Sharp,
I want this bar closed.

I want it closed now.

This bar is run under
a government franchise.

You can't close it.

Sergeant.

Yes, sir?

Turn out a squad of men
with side arms.

Close this place up.

Men!

This bar is a lawful business.

The company's got one
in every army post.

Now, you know
your rights, boys.

Nobody can tell you
how to spend your pay, right?

Wait a minute, men.

Wait a minute.

I have to admit that
what Mr. Sharp says

is perfectly correct.

I have no legal reason
to close this bar.

None whatsoever.

And I won't..

...providing Mr. Sharp
doesn't mind

being taken by
the scruff of his neck

and slung clear
through that mirror

every time I find it open..

Commencing one minute
from now.

Close it up.

Now, listen, men..

...I'm not doing this
to be a bluenose.

I know it's tough on you
not being able to take a drink.

It's tough on me, too.

Maybe it's tougher.

But the day
I break down and take one

'that's the day this bar's
going to open again.'

I don't ask any man
to stick to something

I can't stick to myself

and that's the way
it's gonna be in this regiment.

Gun no work. You fix 'em.

Oh, safety catch. See?

Here.

Well, partner,
what'd I tell ya?

Them dirty, lyin', crummy

flea-bitten
friendlies set him loose.

Friendlies? Any Indian with $75
is a friendly to Sharp.

Sergeant!

Have a stop put immediately
to that rifle trading.

And I want every Indian
put outside this fort.

Very well, sir.

You, have the trumpeter
sound officers' call.

Yes, sir.

You know, Joe, in a way

I don't mind that
Indian getting off.

He's the only cavalryman

I've seen around
this fort so far

but we'll put a stop to that.

We're responsible
for the protection

of 100,000 square miles
of territory.

And against us
are ranged thousands

of the finest
light cavalry on earth.

I found that out this morning.

It's a big job, gentlemen

and it's gonna need
a fine regiment.

Our job is to make this
the finest regiment

that the United States ever saw.

I needn't tell most of you
that a regiment

is something more than just
600 disciplined fighting men.

Men die.

But a regiment lives on

because a regiment has
an immortal soul of its own.

Well, the way to begin
is to find it

to find something
that belongs to us alone

something to give us
that pride in ourselves

that'll make men endure

and if necessary, die

with their boots on.

As for the rest, it's easy

since it's no more than
hard work, hard riding,

and hard fighting.

Thank you, gentlemen.
I know I can count on you.

- Major Meyers, sir.
- Major, pleasure.

- 'Mr. Cooper.'
- 'Cooper.'

- 'Captain Elliot, sir.'
- 'Captain.'

- Captain Thompson.
- Thompson.

Butler, sir.

Butler!

"Queen's own" Butler.

How did you get here?

Become quite
a bally yankee, sir.

Rode behind you
at Hanover and rather fancied

I'd see a bit of sport
with you out west.

Well, I hope you do.

Do you know that
you've haunted me

ever since that time
I met you at Monroe?

Haunted, sir?

Yes. I've cursed you regularly

every time I tried to think
of that confounded song.

- What was the name of it?
- Oh, uh, "Garryowen."

"Garryowen." Come along here.
Play it for us.

Excuse me, gentlemen.
This is an important song.

♪ Oh we can dare
and we can do ♪

♪ United men
and brothers true ♪

♪ Their gallant
footsteps to pursue ♪

♪ And change
our country's story ♪

♪ Our hearts so stout
have got us fame ♪

♪ For soon 'tis known
from whence we came ♪

♪ Where'er we go
they dread the name ♪

♪ Of Garryowen in glory ♪

♪ Our hearts so stout
have got us fame ♪

♪ For soon 'tis known
from whence we came ♪

♪ Where'er we go
they dread the name ♪

♪ Of Garryowen in glory ♪

♪ And when the mighty day
comes round ♪

♪ We still shall hear
their voices sound ♪

♪ Our tramp shall roll
along the ground ♪

♪ For Garryowen in glory ♪

♪ To emulate
their high renown ♪

♪ To strike
our false oppressors down ♪

♪ And stir
the old triumphant town ♪

♪ With Garryowen in glory ♪

♪ To emulate
their high renown ♪

♪ To strike
our false oppressors down ♪

♪ And stir
the old triumphant town ♪

♪ With Garryowen in glory ♪♪

What are the blighters doing?

Playing "Ring Around the Rosie?"

The dirty, moth-eaten..

It's a signal.

They're whupped.

The dirty buzzard eggs,
they're whupped!

He wants a peace pow-wow
with Long Hair.

Long Hair.

Crazy Horse.

Crazy Horse, War Chief Sioux

speak with Long Hair

War Chief Great White Father.

I listen to my brother.

My people want make peace.

They've lost many braves.
They're tired of war.

'They will give up
the plains forever.'

'They will give up their lodges'

by the running streams.

They will give up
their hunting grounds

where the buffalo graze.

They will give all up..

...but one place.

Speak. What is this place?

They will not give up
the Black Hills

for there the spirits
of our fathers dwell

and there the Gods
have made their tepees.

But all else that is my people

we give up..

...but Black Hills.

I will bear my brother's words

to the Great White Father.

Let Long Hair return
with word of Great White Father

that no white man will
set foot on sacred soil

and Crazy Horse
and his brothers

will smoke peace pipe forever.

If the great
White Father gives word

to my brother's people

then Long Hair
and his long knives

will defend Black Hills
against all white men

who seek to profane them.

That is the word of Long Hair.

Long Hair's word good word..

...but the word of
the Great White Father

is broken word.

Hear me now, Long Hair.

If this word broken now

not only Sioux,
but the Cheyenne, the Oglala

the Miniconjou, the Blackfeet

the Sans Arcs

and every living tribe

between mountains
and great waters

will gather in one last battle.

It will be the end of themselves

their Gods, the spirits
of their fathers

and of their enemies.

Crazy Horse spoke.

My boy, we're here because
the company's facing bankruptcy

on account of this idiotic
treaty with the Sioux.

You don't have to tell me that.

In the last year, I've
outfitted a handful of settlers

and from 20 stores.

There'll be no more settlers

till the railroad's pushed on

and the railroad's only route

is through the Black Hills.

They're the gateway to the West.

A few thousand savages

have stopped the march
of American civilization.

But why can't you do something
about it at Washington?

That was why
I brought influence

to have Taipe appointed
to this job

of, uh, special commissioner.

What is the job?

It's to coordinate the civil

and military administration

of all Indian territories.

While he's on the ground

we can consider local means of

uh, unlocking
the Black Hills Gate.

Well, you'll find none here.

The Seventh Cavalry
has every pass and river

completely covered.

It's impossible to sneak
a single outfit through

and I have to know
what I'm talking about.

No doubt you do, but you're
talking about single outfits.

Suppose there were
thousands of them?

Thousands?

What would bring thousands
of outfits to Dakota?

- Gold.
- Gold?

Well, there's, there's
no gold in the Black Hills.

Who can say what's to be found

in the Black Hills, huh?

Ohh.

Say, it'd bring them in
in swarms, alright.

Start a second
California Gold Rush.

But, uh..

...what about the Sioux?

That's where
the commissioner comes in.

Treaty or no treaty,
we cannot allow

thousands of American citizens
to be massacred.

The forces of General Crook
and General Terry

will move in between them
and the Sioux.

Well, Ned, do you see
any practical objection?

Only Custer.

What do you mean?

What can he do?

You don't know Custer.

You get him fighting mad

and there isn't anything
that he won't do.

And there isn't anything
his regiment won't do

if he gives them the word.

They could blockade Bismarck

blow up the railroad bridges..

Oh, then we'll have to
get rid of Colonel Custer

as a first measure, eh, Taipe?

I'm all for that.

...but I shouldn't advise

doing it through
official channels.

I think I know how to get
rid of Colonel Custer

to everybody's satisfaction.

Turn out the guard.
commanding officer!

'Fall in!'

...Present...arms!

'Order... arms!'

Hello, Roberts. How's your wife?

Better, sir,
thanks to Mrs. Custer.

Good, good,
now, look, tomorrow

I want you to shine the
squadron up bright and snappy.

I'm reviewing them for the new
commissioner without officers.

Without officers?
Right, sir.

Stand over there.
Let me look at you.

My word, you're
lovelier than ever.

George,
you must put me down. We've got company.

- What?
- Yes.

I've got a surprise for you.

A surprise?

Mrs. Taipe, may I present
my husband General Custer?

A pleasure.

Mrs. Sharp, my husband
General Custer.

- Madame.
- How do you do?

And here are some
old friends of yours.

Well..

- What's this?
- Welcome home, colonel.

- A little surprise for you.
- Yes, this is a surprise.

Haven't seen you, sir, since
you retired from the army.

Well, after the war,
I found army life

a trifle monotonous, Custer.

He's here as a special
commissioner, you know.

Oh, then in that case

I should have paid
my respects to you

as a representative
of the government.

That's the regulation, I suppose

but there's no need to
stand on ceremony here.

I must congratulate you,
colonel, on the reputation

you've made for your regiment.

- Thank you, sir.
- Let's drink a toast to it.

A toast to the Seventh Cavalry.

Right.

You're not gonna
drink this toast

in water, are you, colonel?

Yes, for the present

this is the drink
of the Seventh Cavalry.

Well, to the sober
Seventh Cavalry.

I'm sorry you won't be able
to see the whole regiment

on parade, Mr. Commissioner.

Most of it's
in the Black Hills.

But I can promise you
that tomorrow

you'll take the salute

from one of the finest
squadrons of cavalry

that ever rode in review.

There'll be no officers
on parade?

Very irregular, sir.

That's because I want you
to see the men

the men who fought
36 engagements

who cleared and pacified
this frontier single-handed

who sweated and starved
day after day

against impossible odds.

There's no denying
their record, colonel.

I think it was
an idea that made them

an idea and a song.

You should've seen them the day
they were first mustered in..

Derelicts, outcasts

criminals of every kind
who just joined up

because they couldn't
make a living any other way.

But wait'll you see them now,
Mr. Commissioner.

Wait till you see what
discipline, devotion to duty

and a little human understanding
can do.

You'll see men
who aren't afraid

to look death in the face
with pride in their eye.

And not for
any measly $13 a month

but just because they've got
pride in their regiment.

Go out and take the salute,
Mr. Commissioner.

You've good reason to,
you and every other civilian

in the United States.

What's the meaning
of this outrage?

I think I know.

You know, if I was you,
Mr. Sharp, I'd vamoose.

Custer's liable to
go loco about this.

I'm not getting out.

Have those bung-starters handy
when goldilocks arrives.

He'll never close
this bar again.

This is none of
your affair, Custer.

We-we opened by
authority of the commissioner.

The drinks were free to
the men in honor of his visit.

Stop it! Stop it, Custer!

'You're
destroying private property.'

That's an order, Custer.

This bar was opened
by my authority.

Your authority?

If your men are drunken sots,
that's your responsibility

not the company's.

Sots?

You cheap boot-licking.

You contemptible parasite!

Uhh!

I'll see that he's
relieved of his command.

He'll be in Washington
for a court-martial.

I do wish you'd
stopped off in Chicago

and seen Uncle Phil.

We would only have been
in Washington

one day later
and he might have helped you.

I don't think
anyone can help me now.

I struck a representative
of the government.

...and I'd do it again.

When the facts are known

who in all the world
could blame you?

- You.
- I?

Yes, I should have
thought of you.

This mess has made me realize
how selfish I've been.

Oh, my dear..

Taking you away from your home..

...comfort, peace of mind..

My darling,
I knew what I was doing

when I married you.

But I didn't know what
I was doing to you.

I've made you
give up everything.

I love you.

Springfield!

Five minute stop, five minutes.

Why don't you get off
and get a breath of fresh air?

No, I don't think so, darling.

There maybe
some reporters around

and I don't want to see anyone.

Is there anything I can
get you? Magazine, cigars?

No, nothing.
Maybe a newspaper.

And you'd better take
a little walk yourself.

You've been cooped up here
with me long enough.

- Papers? Papers?
- Paper.

Have you a Chicago
or Washington paper?

Chicago Record Herald,
just out half an hour ago.

All about the big gold strike
in the Black Hills.

The Black Hills? In Dakota?

Yes, ma'am. It's bigger than
the one in California, they say.

Look at this.

- Hmm?
- Look.

Gold.

"Strike in the Black Hills.

"The stampede started
when an Indian squaw

"tendered a nugget
of gold for supplies

"in the Western railroad land
and trading company

"at Fort Lincoln.

"Thousands of people

rushing into the Black Hills."

Why, that's what Mrs. Taipe
must've meant when she said

that thousands of people
were coming to Dakota

and advised me to buy
stock in the company.

Mrs. Taipe said that?

Yes, the day
you came back to the fort.

I didn't repeat it to you
because I didn't think

that it was important,
but now I--

The day I came back to the fort,
Mrs. Taipe knew then

that these people were coming.

But, Libby, don't you see?

This Indian woman only came
into the fort yesterday.

Then that must mean..

That there's no gold.

That it's a conspiracy
to break the peace treaty.

A conspiracy?

Yes, and what happened
at the review was a part of it.

They had to get rid of me
and no wonder.

I'd have hanged them all
from the fort gates

Taipe and all the rest of them.

I'd have burnt
the railroad bridges.

And I gave my word to
Crazy Horse that the Sioux..

The Sioux.

Why, Libby, those fools
don't know what they've done.

Conductor?

Conductor.

I'm trying to say
that the commissioner

is Sharp's bought man,
that he has an interest in--

- 'I object.'
- 'I object.'

Objection sustained.

I'm sorry, colonel, but you must
try to confine your testimony

to actual proof of conspiracy.

Alright, I'm here to
tell you that Sharp's company

'tricked thousands of people
into violating Indian territory'

'with a lying tale
of a gold strike'

and that Taipe
was a party to that plot.

That's merely an accusation,
colonel.

What facts can you
tell us to prove it?

Three weeks before
there was any talk

of this so-called gold discovery

'Taipe's wife said that
soon thousands of people--'

I object to such testimony.
It's hearsay.

Sustained.

Colonel Custer, we can hear
no evidence of that nature.

- It's inadmissible.
- Inadmissible?

Do you think you're gonna
keep me from testifying

by legal skullduggery?
Do you think I'd lie?

No, colonel,
but you're not a lawyer.

The testimony
you're attempting to give

is hearsay,
the words of another person.

- 'It's never admissible.'
- Never admissible?

Except in the case
of a dying declaration..

...where the words are
spoken or written

in a certain knowledge
of approaching death.

Then you'll have plenty
of evidence of that sort

within a few weeks.
The treaty's been broken.

Within a few weeks,
thousands of people

will be massacred
in the Black Hills.

That's why I blasted this thing
wide open in the press.

And now you wanna talk to me
about legal technicalities.

There need be no
apprehension, gentlemen.

'General Terry
and General Crook have orders'

'to concentrate their forces
in the Yellowstone Valley.'

3,000 American soldiers
should be more than a match

for 3,000 Sioux.

Why, you fool,
those troops are infantry

useless against Indians.

And they won't find
any 3,000 Sioux.

The sanctuary of the entire
red race is being violated.

They'll find every tribe
in the West

massed there,
ready to overwhelm them.

Not only the Sioux,
but the Cheyenne

the Blackfeet, the Sans Arcs,
all the rest of them.

And who's to blame them?

Not I, gentlemen,
if I were an Indian

I'd fight beside Crazy Horse
to the last drop of my blood.

It's in Colonel Custer's
interest to be an alarmist.

He's been relieved
of his command

and is awaiting court-martial,
but the war department

doesn't share his fears,
especially as among the forces

ordered into action is
the celebrated Seventh Cavalry

'which boasts itself
more than able'

'to defend the frontier
single-handed.'

Colonel Custer, have you
any further testimony

relevant testimony, to place
before the committee?

None.

Then I move
we adjourn, gentlemen.

Is it that bad?

I'll start assembling
a division at once.

But it'll take time, Custer.

Time.

Troops on the frontier
will have to be sacrificed.

Including the Seventh Cavalry.

What else can I do?

There's this..

Get my court-martial
postponed.

Get my command restored to me.

And let you commit suicide?

No, thank you.

You don't owe anybody that.

Sheridan, do you remember
what you said to me

after Winchester?

You said, "If there's ever
anything you want from me

"including my right arm

don't ask for it, just take it."

I won't do it.

You don't owe
those bloodsuckers anything.

I'm asking you... now.

There's Libby to be considered.

I wouldn't do it if I could

but I can't.

Taipe would never
let it get through.

The only man who could do it
is the President.

And since these charges of yours

have all but wrecked
his administration

Ulysses S. Grant
hates the sound of your name.

Colonel Custer?

I regret the President
declines to see you.

He instructs that any official
business you may have

shall be conducted
through the war department.

I'll remind you, sir, that I am
President of the United States.

I'm not here to see
the President

of the United States, Grant.

I'm here to see a soldier.

You've caused plenty
of trouble, Custer

sticking your nose
into politics.

I want my regiment back.

All you'll get from me
is a court-martial.

To the devil with
a court-martial.

I want my regiment back, Grant.

Maybe you'll tell me
why I should give it to you?

I'll tell you why.

Because you know
how a man feels

when he's broken,
when he's left behind

and his regiment's
marching out to fight.

'You know how he feels, Grant'

'because you had
a taste of it yourself.'

Get out.

Alright.

My orders was
to close up, colonel

as soon as you got back.

That's alright.

I just got in.

And am I glad to see you.

I'm going bughouse
in this joint.

And, colonel, since you've been
relieved of your command

not a single soldier has
set his foot in this place.

Yes?

Indeed.

Oh, that's alright.
You needn't bother closing up.

Just tell Mr. Sharp
I want to see him.

'And leave us alone together.'

Oh, it's alright.

There won't be any disturbance.

Say, Custer's outside.
He wants to see you.

I, uh..

I gave orders to close the bar

as soon as I heard
you took command again.

That's alright, Sharp.

Remember I told you once

that the day I took a drink

you could open the bar up?

Yeah.

Well, I feel like
drinking tonight.

Things have been pretty bad.

You want to join me?

Why, sure, sure. Why not?

We'll let bygones
be bygones, huh?

Sure.

Say, uh, hitting it
kind of hard, aren't you?

No point in half-measures.

Drink up.

I, uh, I hear the seventh
is marching out this morning

to make contact with Crook and
Terry at the Little Big Horn.

Mm-hmm.

Yes.

The seventh is marching out.

Let's drink to the seventh.

Let's drink to 'em again.

Last time I drank it
in water, remember?

Well, wait a minute. You..

Drink it.

If the other outfits
don't fight their way through

you're liable to have
a lot of Sioux on your hands.

Oh, yes.

Yes, quite a lot of Sioux,
Sharp.

But the greater the odds,
the greater the glory.

Come on, Sharp,
let's drink to glory.

You always were a great one
for glory, Custer.

Remember, remember that day
you came to West Point

and you talked to me
about the statues?

Yes. Yes, I remember.

Well, you got glory.

And what did glory get you?

A two-bit job

and a, and a court-martial.

That's all.

Well, that's not enough.

Now we're gonna drink
to something that's

that's worth having..

...something they'll kiss
your feet for having.

Here's to money..

...and long may she jingle.

Money.

You maybe right
about money, Sharp

quite right.

But there's one thing
to be said for glory.

And what's that?

You can take glory with you..

...when it's your time to go.

Mmm.

California.

Well, now, let's see.

Anything I've forgotten?

- Field glasses?
- Yep.

- Compass.
- Got it.

- Your watch.
- Watch, no.

You know, Libby

they ought to make
you quartermaster general.

'Every time I go into the field'

I'm the best-equipped man
in the regiment.

Oh, look at that.

Broken.

- What?
- The chain.

Now I won't be able
to take this with me.

It'll be the first time
you've ever gone

into a campaign without it.

Yes, well, there's no time
to have it fixed

and... I don't want to take
a chance on losing it.

I'll leave it here.

Not much more time.

'Here's your cartridge belt.'

You know, I'm sure
you're the first soldier

that ever became a general
without letting his belt out.

Oh-ho, but you wait until we get
that staff job in Washington

after this campaign's over.

I'm gonna grow a big tummy on me

like General Winfield Scott.
You know, ho ho ho.

And we'll grow fat
and happy together.

Together.

And people will say,
"Don't tell me

"that life in the Dakotas
was full of hardship.

"Look at general
and Mrs. Custer.

They certainly grew
fat and happy on it."

You, uh..

...you have been happy here,
haven't you, Libby?

Don't I look happy?

Well, now, let's see what else.

Oh, my orders.

I put them in that
drawer over there.

Alright, I'll get 'em.

Well, what's this?

"My life with General Custer."

- Oh, darling, that's my diary.
- I didn't know you kept one.

It's just a record of
our life here together.

It wouldn't interest you.

Just the silly things
that seem important

to a woman.

"Tomorrow, my husband leaves..

"...and I cannot help but feel

"that my last
happy days are ended.

"A premonition of disaster

"such as I have never known

is weighing me down.'

'"I try to shut it
into my heart, but..'

'"...it is almost unbearable.'

"I pray God I be not asked

to walk on alone."

You know,
I probably wrote that

or something like it,
every time you went away

'even for a day's journey.'

You know how foolish women are.

Every parting has
its own fears and anxieties.

Of course.

I often feel like that myself.

But it, it has
its bright side, too.

The more sadness in parting

the more joy in the reunion.

"Boots and saddles."

Good-bye.

Walking through life
with you, ma'am..

...has been
a very gracious thing.

Attention!
Sir, the regiment is formed.

Forward, ho!

Scouts out.

- Gray Eagle.
- Long Hair.

Black Hills.

Go to lodge of Sitting Bull.

Let him call Sioux chiefs
to war council.

'Halt!'

Meet us on the Little Big Horn
at sunup.

Well, partner,
the, the scouts are back.

What's the report?

Any news of Crook's column?

There's plenty of 'em,
all scalped.

- Dead long?
- Oh, about a week, I reckon.

Crazy Horse attacked
Crook's outfit

comin' down a stream

and massacred 'em
good and proper.

And then Crook,
he hightailed it back

to where he, to where
he come from, Crook did.

He got away, eh?

Where's Crazy Horse now?

Camped on the other side
of Little Big Horn.

He's headed north
to massacre Terry's outfit.

Then he's between us

and I can't reach Terry in time.

Crazy Horse must know
we're here, of course.

More goldarn Indians

camped over on
Little Big Horn

than there is grasshoppers
in a cornfield.

Every kind of a goldarn Indian
you can think of!

You know, partner we better
vamoose out of here

good and pronto.

We're not vamoosing.

I'm going to attack.

Attack?

It's Terry or us.

What chance has
his infantry got

against thousands of Indians?

Mm-hmm. What-what-what-what
better chance have you got?

It's a cavalry job, Joe.

I can do more damage.

And if I can do enough..

...it'll give Terry a chance
to stand them off

until Sheridan comes up
from Bismarck.

I'm wonderin' if I'm ever
gonna get to California.

Tell Mr. Butler
I want to see him.

Alright, partner.
I mean, yes, sir.

- You sent for me, sir?
- Yes, Butler.

I want you to take this letter
into Fort Lincoln tonight.

Me? Tonight?

Tonight. It's important.

Must be, if it needs
your belly adjutant

to play postman
at a time like this.

Why are you asking me
to go back with it?

Well, for one thing

you're an Englishman,
not an American.

Not an American?

What do you Yankees
think you are?

The only real Americans
in this merry old parish

are on the other side
of the hill

with feathers in their hair.

You're probably
right about that.

But there's 6,000 of them..

...and less than 600 of us.

The regiment's
being sacrificed, Butler.

I wouldn't want to
see a foreigner

butchered in a dirty deal
like this.

Sporty of you
to think of it that way.

But I'll remind you, sir

I'm a member of the mess
of the Seventh U.S. Cavalry.

Fancy walking into
the service club in Piccadilly

if the regiment.

Get somebody else to post
your blinking letter.

Thanks, Queen's own.

Just so long as you know.

I'll get someone else.

Sioux!

- Cheyenne!
- Miniconjou!

Sans Arcs.

Oglala!

- Shoshone!
- Blackfeet!

You'll pay for this, Custer.

There's a law in this country
against abduction.

You'll go to jail for it.

Maybe, Sharp, maybe.

What do you think
you're doing? Cut me loose.

Say, what is all this?
What does it mean?

It means you're free.

Free?

I don't even know where I am

what day it is.

It's about dawn
on the 25th of June.

You're on the Rosebud Ridge

above the Little Big Horn River.

The way home's due east.

The way home?

From the Little Big Horn?

Why, this whole country's
swarming with Sioux!

That's right, Sharp, it is.

Why... it's murder.

Wh-what chance will I have?

About the same chance as the
thousands of other poor devils

you sent in here with that
lying tale about the gold.

I say it's murder.

I won't go.

You don't have to, Sharp.

It's for you to choose.

What do you mean?

You mean..

...you mean
you'll leave me here?

No.

The regiment rides in
about an hour.

You can ride with it
if you want.

Where is the regiment riding?

To hell, Sharp..

...or to glory.

It depends on one's
point of view.

Not dead long.

Big war party go.

Sioux!

Close ranks, ho!

Draw... saber!

Charge!

Fight on foot!

Ya dirty yellow-bellied.

Oh, looks like
I'll never get to..

Maybe you were right.

...about glory.

I needn't tell you but
for the desperate attack

of the Seventh Cavalry

Terry's force
would have been wiped out

the squatters would
have been massacred

the whole frontier overrun

Bismarck itself destroyed.

I'll make it a point to see
that the regiment

gets due recognition
from Congress.

Let me remind you
that all Custer said came true.

Every Indian on the frontier

gathered to defend
the Black Hills

and the troops
which you sent against them

were overwhelmed.

Public, gentlemen,
has begun to wonder

if maybe some of
the other things he tried to say

might not have been true also.

By what authority do you
presume to talk to me like this?

By authority of the President
of the United States.

Custer had an opportunity
to tell everything he knew

at the Congressional inquiry.

He had a fair hearing.

A fair hearing, Taipe?

I heard them tell him

that his testimony
was inadmissible

except as a dying declaration.

Well, Custer's dead..

...but you're going
to hear him speak.

You have something to say
to these gentlemen, Libby?

I have here a letter
from my husband

addressed to the nation.

It contains nothing with
which you are not familiar

only a restatement
of the evidence

he attempted to put
before Congress.

That evidence was ruled hearsay

mere hearsay.

My husband wrote this letter

on the morning
of June the 25th..

...in anticipation of
his death on that day.

'He believed it to be
what the committee called'

a dying declaration

and as such, admissible
in a court of law.

You hear that, Sharp?

'Why, if that letter gets out,
we'll be lynched!'

Well, say something, man.'

It doesn't seem
to matter, Taipe.

My son chose to go to his death

with the Seventh Cavalry.

And I think I know why.

There is a price for
which it can be bought.

Colonel Custer's price.

Well, what is it? Name it.

The company must be dissolved.

The company is dissolved.

I'll make what restitution I can

to the widows and the daughters
of the regiment.

What else is there I can do now?

Mr. Taipe, you must resign
your office as commissioner.

Resign?

And before you leave this room.

And there is another price,
General Sheridan.

The price the administration
must pay.

The administration
must make good

its promise to
Chief Crazy Horse.

The Indians must be
protected in their right

to an existence
in their own country.

I have the authority
to answer that

from the administration,
from the President himself.

Come, my dear.

Your soldier won
his last fight... after all.