Original subtitles

A six-week war with the Dakota in 1862

devastated the Minnesota River Valley.

303 Indians were sentenced to die. 38 were hanged.

The Dakota people were banished from Minnesota,

thousands, led by Little Crow,

escaped into the Dakota Territory,

but the thirst for vengeance in Minnesota

could only be quenched by chasing down and punishing

the Indian leader and his warriors.

Sibley, the war is over,

but the people of Minnesota are demanding revenge.

Well, we got a good start on that, Governor.

38 of the murderers were hung in Mankato

and in the spring, the ones that Little Crow left behind,

will be taken to the Dakota Territories.

So that'll get rid of another 1,600 for you, Governor.

Well, you know, Lincoln did get it right at one point.

The law says that any Lakota in Minnesota

need to be moved beyond the boundary of any state.

So I ask him, exterminate 'em all or move them out.

I prefer the former.

Well, Lincoln said himself,

he won't hang men by the hundreds.

But he wasn't here.

He didn't see the horrors that the Indians committed.

Hundreds of civilians killed. Minnesota desolate.

It's not over.

What do you mean, Governor?

Trials, executions, relocations. They're not enough.

I've heard the worst of them have fled

to the Dakota Territory with Little Crow,

and I need you to lead an expedition into Dakota Territory

and bring Little Crow back.

Governor, I'm ready to retire.

I'm not a soldier, I'm a businessman.

I was a governor before you.

I'm suited for business and politics, not soldiering.

Now, I took your appointment and I fought the campaign.

I did my duty, and I'm ready to go home.

But we're not ready for you to go home.

And General Pope agrees,

the people of Minnesota respect you, they admire you.

You are the person we need to lead this expedition.

All right. If I must, I will.

But I'm not enthusiastic about this.

Don't worry, you'll have help.

General Pope and I have developed a plan.

Now, we hear the Dakota have left for Devil's Lake.

We want you to go to Devil's Lake and find them,

and if they're not there,

they've probably moved on toward the Missouri.

So we want you to follow them to the Missouri

and the Lakota.

How many men will I have in my command, Governor?

You'll have 4,000 infantry,

but you'll also have some help.

General Sully will bring his 3,000 cavalryman

up to Missouri to rendezvous with you.

General Sully? West Pointer, fought at Bull Run.

I understand he's a serious commander, Governor.

The general's general.

Now I expect you'll be pushing them west,

and then Sully will be coming in from the east

to cut them off.

Siding with McClellan and his dust up with Lincoln

wasn't very smart.

Got him exiled out here along with the general.

Pope's mistake was losing at Bull Run.

Lincoln cleaned House.

All those people, he felt let him down,

he sent 'em off to the frontier hinterlands, like Minnesota.

So, you want me to march West, hunt down Little Crow.

I hope Sully is up to it.

It's a different type of warfare, Governor.

Don't worry about Sully. He's a professional.

By June, I want you headed to Dakota Territory.

That's months from now, sir.

Well, we've gotta wait for better weather

and the grass to grow.

Horses need forage.

Hello, Sunset.

I was just wondering, are you waiting for somebody?

They're Dakota children in the school.

I wanted to make sure they made it home from the class.

Oh.

You know, I heard that you were planning to go out

to the Dakota Territory soon.

I believe so. Yes.

Aw, kids are gonna miss you a lot.

You know, you've been a big help to us.

I hope so. However, I must join my husband.

Yeah.

But by the way, do you know exactly

where you're gonna end up out there?

Near the Missouri River. That's all I know.

There's somebody out there I'd like you to talk to.

Who is that?

My sister.

She has a pretty big ranch out there.

Everybody knows her. Her last name is Collins.

Why would she want to speak with me?

Well, she's sort of made it her place

to try to help the Dakota who've been pushed out of here,

and she believes it's time to start up a school out there

for the Dakota children.

Why would she do this?

Well, who knows?

Maybe she just thinks it's the right thing to do.

You could be very helpful to her, you know?

You could continue the work you've started here.

Thank you for telling me this, Ms. Woodbury.

Oh sure, sure.

I do wish you the best in all of your endeavors.

Well, Givens, I hope help gets here quick.

I don't like the sound of this.

But Little Crow did warn us.

He said they'd be coming.

It's too soon.

Well, it better be a regiment then.

We're not getting a regiment.

All three forts on the frontier

don't have that many men altogether,

and I'm just getting my rangers together.

The Dakotas are hungry. They need food.

We don't even have an exact count of how many they'll be.

There could be Chippewa or Yanktons from the Dakotas.

Soldiers are coming. I'll have 'em do a count.

Ms. West, the Colonel has been expecting you.

Thank you for your response to my request, Ms. West.

I trust you're settling into the Dakota Territory?

Yes, the school is open now.

What's the composition of your school?

Composition?

Your students? Are they all Dakota?

Well, they are a mix of Dakota and white students.

Is that why you've invited me here, Colonel,

to discuss the composition of our classrooms?

You've been here for a while now,

and I thought maybe you might answer a few questions for me.

Regarding?

Regarding the whereabouts of certain Dakota individuals.

I understand. I'll do the best I can.

Three of these individuals are Dakota chiefs

from the central area of Minnesota.

Colonel, I am not well versed in tribal affairs.

I work with children.

Please tell me if you know the whereabouts

of one Red Middle Voice.

I have heard of Red Middle Voice, but I've never met him.

How about Chief Little Crow?

I have not seen Chief Little Crow since before the war.

Fine. How about Traveling Hail?

I have met Traveling Hail.

The father of one of my students was a follower of his.

What was the student's name?

Johnny.

Johnny? What was his Indian name?

Traveling Star.

Ms. West, since you've been in Dakota,

have you seen Traveling Hail or Traveling Star?

No, I have not.

Thank you.

There's one more individual I'd like to discuss with you.

Alright.

Do you know the whereabouts of one Nathan Cates?

You are looking for Nathan?

We are.

Obviously not for the same reasons

we're looking for the others.

I have not seen Nathan since we arrived here.

Yes, we heard that you left Minnesota together.

That is true. But he went to see family.

He had a death in the family.

His family in Virginia?

No. His family in Indiana.

Ms. West, I need complete honesty

in regards to this next question.

That is why I'm here, Colonel.

Are you aware that Nathan Cates

is an agent of the Confederacy?

What?!

Are you aware that Nathan Cates

is an agent of the confederate states of America?

But that's impossible.

He fought alongside your soldiers at Fort Ridgeley.

Yes.

It's obvious to us that Mr. Cates is very good

at concealing his true identity.

I am sorry, Colonel, but I simply do not believe you.

You'll believe what you choose to believe, Ms. West.

However, if you happen to learn the whereabouts

of Mr. Cates or Traveling Star or Traveling Hail

or Little Crow or Red Middle Voice,

then by all means please let me know as soon as possible.

Of course, I will.

Are you serious, Emily? He said that about Nathan.

Yes. Things are really bad now.

Well, where's Nathan now?

He's supposed to come back in two days, possibly tomorrow.

And I'm afraid I have even more bad news.

What did you learn?

Emily, the generals and Governor Ramsey

are incensed that only 38 Dakota were hanged.

They wanted all of those that were tried to be hanged.

That's over 300.

What are they planning, Susan?

It wasn't enough that they pushed thousands of Dakota

out of Minnesota.

They are assembling this army to invade the Dakota

and destroy our people.

Don't they have to answer to Washington?

I believe they only answer to Ramsey.

What do you think we should do, Susan?

When Nathan comes back, you two need to disappear.

Things are going to get dangerous very quickly.

Good afternoon. What can I help you with?

I'm on my way to see friends.

I was told there was gonna be more Dakota.

There will be many more next week, I believe.

You're aware you're leaving the United States territory

once you leave here?

I'm aware. Yes.

Well, now Dakota is a very dangerous place

for a woman to be.

Minnesota has been a very hard place for Dakota to be.

Uh-huh. It was your people that started this mess.

Your government was starving my people.

Why were they surprised

when we did what was necessary to survive?

Listen, you were required to tell me your name

and where you were in Minnesota.

Were all the Dakota required to do this

when they came through here?

Yes, they were.

What do you do with this information?

I keep 'em in a ledger inside here.

May I see this ledger?

I take it you can read then?

I can.

Are you looking for someone?

I'm looking for many someones.

Ma'am, this ledger is the property of United States Army.

I'm not at liberty to show it to anyone

without proper authorization.

Where does it go from here?

Directly from me to General Sibley. Certainly not you.

That is a shame. I'm looking for the rest of my family.

I suggest you go back to where you came and look for them.

I will return.

Who the hell is responsible for this?

Were you the guard on duty soldier?

Yes, sir, I was.

Then please report.

Well, sir, I was gone for about 20 minutes.

Gone?! Where the hell did you go?

I was doing my business, Colonel.

Were you at least able to save the ledgers?

No, sir. They were right in the middle of the burn.

I don't understand how you let this happen.

Yes, sir.

Who are you?

What the hell was that?

You need to talk to me?

Yes, grandfather.

We need to talk to you about someone we have seen.

Dakota or Wasi'chu.

We don't know

Man or woman?

Woman.

What was she wearing?

She dressed funny.

Strange trappings. Kind of brown, kind of green.

Do you think she was shaman?

Was she adorned with bones and fur?

I seen her behind our place here.

Yes, standing very still.

Maybe a witch.

Did she speak to you?

No.

Did you try to speak to her?

When we did, she ran away into the forest.

Around here, you're gonna find out

that Dakota looked different than us.

Maybe tell her you're her chief?

Well, I'm not her chief,

but she needs to know we mean to no harm.

Are you planning you to stay here in the homeland?

Yes, we was told we could use these buildings for shelter.

Such as this village?

This was the home of fur trailers many years ago.

Some of these buildings look

like they would not keep the rain off your head.

Some of 'em will not.

Are there others?

Yeah. A short walk.

They're created from mud and grass.

Earth homes.

They hold a warmth from the fire better than these.

My wife is coming from Minnesota.

She may like that better.

Can you see her?

Yeah. She's closer to earth.

Is she human or spirit?

A grandson has seen her. Maybe she'll talk with us.

Peace be to you. We're Dakota chiefs from Minnesota.

I'm Chief Traveling Hail.

I am chief Red Middle Voice.

Are you Dakota?

I don't believe she can speak.

She can speak.

I am Shanoti.

Ah, tree people.

She is from the ancient forest.

My father and mother were of the French.

They were killed in a raid before I could walk.

Chippewa took me in, traded me to Dakota.

They taught me the ways of the people.

They named me Kyota.

But you are from place of cloudy waters.

Why are you here?

The soldiers forced us out of our homes.

I have seen these soldiers.

Most of them are still in Minnesota.

Many are here. You brought them.

We did not bring them here. They brought us here.

These soldiers must leave.

We fought them. Many soldiers died.

What happened to your Dakota?

Many Dakota died as well.

Then you could not drive them out.

That will be my task.

With what weapons? You don't even have horses.

I do not need horses. I was here before the horses.

You mean your ancestors were here before the horse?

No. I was here before the horse.

You, defeated chiefs!

Do not disrespect me.

I will kill many wasichu.

How?

I am Wichasa Wonkan.

I have coyote medicine.

I've seen this woman you saw.

Did she speak to you?

Yes.

Is she Dakota?

Not by birth, but she was just a child

when the Dakota took her in.

Why does she look that way?

She's other tree people.

The tree people?

Yes, there's been tree people here way before Wasi'chus.

Why are they called tree people?

Because they of the forest.

Do they live in teepees?

I believe they live in huts but I've never seen one.

What did she say when she spoke to you?

She said there's many soldiers

going through the forest now.

What are they doing there?

She does not know.

I'll speak to another chief and find out.

Over the next several days,

the expedition snaked across the Missouri Coteau,

covering 90 miles of rolling grassy countryside

dotted by dozens of spoiled salty lakes.

They followed signs left by the Sioux.

It's got word from the scouts, general.

Sioux have left the Devil's Lake area.

They're heading west toward the Missouri.

Damn. We're too late.

Was Little Crow with them?

We don't know.

We'll go after him.

How much of a head start does he have?

Few days. Maybe a week.

All right. We'll catch him.

We gotta move fast.

Leave all non-essential equipment for the march here.

I'll take half the men and leave immediately.

It's a good plan.

I am Red Middle Voice of the Santee Dakota.

I wish to speak to the man who leads the British people.

I'm the governor of these territories.

What does a chief of the Santee want with me?

We come to offer peace and friendship

to all in the grandmother's country,

but to the Americans we will fight to the death.

We are fighting with ropes around our necks now.

I have explained to other Dakota our difficulties

in offering you any help.

You must listen to me.

Would you needed the help of the Dakota people

to fight against the Americans?

We helped you. Now it is the Dakotas that need help.

Maybe you have a place where we can be safe.

The Queen is most grateful

for the help our red friends have provided,

but we can't help you now.

There is a delicate balance we have with the Americans.

What do you mean?

There are those in Minnesota

who wish to expand by annexing land

belonging to the Hudson's Bay Company in Canada.

We cannot allow them to enter Canada.

Pursuing you here would just give them an excuse

to come into Canada.

They might never leave.

Then give us guns and ammunition.

For the same reason, we can't do that.

It would just give them an excuse to invade us.

Surely you can understand our predicament.

Will you at least write a letter to General Sibley?

See if you can bring peace between us.

We gave up our prisoners. Let's Sibley give up his.

I can do that.

I shall also report there were no disturbances

while you were here.

You are leaving, aren't you?

Write the letter and we will leave.

We will go back to Pembina.

Done. You shall have no trouble from me.

But beware of the Cree, Ojibwe and the Metis.

They want you gone.

Excellent governor. Send them back to the border.

Little Crow will have no choice but to return to Minnesota.

The federals will be preoccupied just like we planned.

Letting them escape to British America

would take the heat off Lincoln.

General Pike, I don't like getting involved

in all these dealings, spies and such.

I'm not a spy, Governor.

I am chief of covert operations

for the Confederate states of America.

Titles don't change the mission, sir.

Stirred up Indians start wars along your frontier.

Isn't that your charge?

Innovative, isn't it?

We got off to a good start in Minnesota,

but our agent fell in love and got cold feet.

At least we kept Minnesota boys fighting in Minnesota

and brought more back from the east.

Where do you go next?

South, west. It doesn't really matter.

There are Indians there

that also need encouragement as well.

People say things about you, General Pike.

What kind of things?

That you worship Satan.

You belong to something called the Illuminati

and you talk about one world order.

My, you've heard so many things.

It would be best if you didn't take such talk seriously.

It might not be healthy.

Just saying. I meant no offense.

Well, Governor,

I'm must get back to the sunny South.

Remember, no help for Little Crow. Is that clear?

You doing well with those, Itza-lia?

I'm teaching Zonta. She learns fast.

I did not know you could build tomahawks.

I will bill one for you and every warrior.

Very good.

Do you know when Red Middle Voice would return?

I believe he's searching the homeland.

For horses?

How do you know this?

Everyone's talk about horses.

It's good you still have yours.

I would die before giving him up.

You must care for your horses very much.

He makes me ride my own, not his.

So you have your own horse?

He is learning. I'm learning as well.

I hope your daughter has her own horse someday.

Maybe Red Middle Voice will return with horses.

Maybe.

Do you see something?

That's the woman I told you about.

She was close to our house.

She's of the tree people, as I thought.

That woman is medicine and she do not speak much.

Hey, Biloxi.

Yes, sir?

How come they call you Biloxi?

'Cause I'm from Biloxi.

Mississippi?

Yes, sir.

How come you're not in a red army?

'Cause then I couldn't fight reds.

Almost makes sense, kid.

Actually, my family came up north way before the war.

Mississippi is a very old state.

It was one of the first states to join the Union.

Sergeant, did I ask you for a history lesson?

No, sir.

Then stay on task.

What do you think that young one's making in there?

Fear?

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking.

Did you see the tomahawks?

Where?

On the next to 'em, them cleaning them.

Okay. Yeah.

They getting ready for something.

- Mother? - Yes, Zonta.

I had a bad dream last night about the soldiers.

What about the soldiers?

The soldiers came back

and they started hurting the Dakota.

But they're gone. They're far away.

Mother, are you sure?

Of course, I am.

But why do you-

May I have your attention please?

I understand that this was a fur trading village

and now is the village of Red Middle Voice.

Now I need to know this is truth or not truth.

Now none of you here are in trouble.

We are not looking for you.

We are looking for Red Middle Voice,

Little Crow and all the other chiefs that fled Minnesota.

I just need one person to tell me where your chief is.

No one?

I just need one person to be honest with me

and tell me, where's your chief?

Still no one, huh?

One last time.

Who is your chief?

Red Middle Voice.

Well, what do we have here?

We have the only honest person in all of Dakota.

And what is your name, little lady?

Her name is Zonta.

Well, Zonta, tell me where he is.

She did not know where he is.

Then you tell me where he is.

We do not know where he is.

Please don't.

This is your last chance.

This is her last chance.

He has left and not come back.

She's telling me I'm a terrible white man.

I'm going to burn and die.

It didn't have to go this way. I tried.

Yes sir. You did everything you could.

Wasn't your fault, sir.

You will live to tell the story.

Listen to me.

You must tend to your dead.

They must go to Wakan Tanka.

I am warning you.

This is fully loaded and you could be dead in 10 seconds.

I carry no weapons. I aim to cause you no harm.

May I sit down?

It's been a long day, Injin. What do you want?

All I want is a conversation.

In case you hadn't heard,

we're all done with talking to the Dakota.

It is my belief that conversation

between two warring tribes is always valuable.

Look, General Sibley's office is in the next building.

Why aren't you over bugging him?

We are very aware that Sibley is not a true general.

Why would you say that?

He was brought in by Governor Ramsey.

You are the true warrior.

Why would that make a difference to someone like you?

Your experience in battle has given you

a different understanding

other than what General Sibley is capable of.

All right. That is perceptive.

I'll ask you again. What do you want?

Are you aware that your men attacked

several defenseless Dakota villages this past week?

Of course, I am aware. I ordered it.

Only women and children were in these villages.

They were all slaughtered by your men.

Tell me, where were the Dakota men

that were reside in these villages?

They were looking for horses.

And when they find those horses, they will attack us.

General, we need those horses to harvest our crops.

Otherwise, the Dakota will starve again.

Several residents of the village you speak of,

we're seeing creating weapons, tomahawks, spears, et cetera.

We have to be able to defend our self

against wild animals and others-

May I please remind you that the wholesale slaughter

of women and children was not started by my soldiers.

This war was started by the Dakota!

However it started, it must end.

Otherwise, you and your men

will completely run out of people to kill.

In that case, we would have reached

Governor Ramsey's objective.

What does this mean?

Governor Ramsey's stated objective,

which is now my standing order

and the standing order from my army is

the complete extermination of all Dakota

who came from the central Minnesota area.

There is now very bad blood between our two peoples.

If that objective, as you call it, does not change,

there will be very bad blood for hundreds of years.

So be it.

Grandfather, we would like to speak to you.

Well, I'm listening.

Do you like this place?

This place? You mean this house?

No, you mean the whole area.

Of course. It's our homeland.

But it's not our home.

In time, it will feel like it.

Well, why do we have to go to the Wasi'chu school?

You will learn things there that will help you.

The other students don't like us.

Well, why do you say that?

They give us strange looks. They don't really talk to us.

They will.

I don't know.

They blame us for the war.

Did they speak in those words?

They told us we started it.

What did they mean exactly?

They know why the soldiers brought us here.

We were forced to come here by those soldiers.

Did we start the war?

No. That war was started by the generals and Ramsey.

General Sibley. A word with you, sir.

Of course, colonel. What's on your mind?

Sir, I have noticed that a little color woman

malingering around the camp.

Is she bothering the troops?

Not as I can say, sir.

Well, then what's your concern?

She doesn't appear to be like the other Lakota we've seen.

It's her style of dress. It's very unusual.

I was wondering with your prior experience as a fur trader,

you might have encountered her or someone like her

or her people and you could, say,

identify what what tribe she belonged to.

I'll take a look, Colonel.

Have you ever seen anything like this before, sir?

Yeah, that's what the Dakota call the tree people.

They're very primitive. They live in the forest.

It's rare to see one out in the open like this.

She seems to be hanging around the chow tent.

I wonder why.

Well, she's probably stealing food, I would imagine.

I agree. Should I make her go away, sir?

If it pleases you, Colonel. Now excuse me.

General.

Lieutenant, why do we have men on the ground

on the field when the fighting hasn't started yet?

Hold it. Who are you and what presence have you here?

I tell you what, we're lucky to still have our horses.

When did Red Middle Voice say we might get more?

He's trying. The soldiers picked up so many of them.

The chiefs are the ones that got us into this mess.

No, the government did that.

Then the government pushed us here.

We didn't have to come here.

My father was Dakota. Dakotas are my people.

You see something?

I think we're being watched.

Do you know this woman?

It's Kyota of the tree people.

Tree people? I ain't never seen one before.

Come on over and sit with us, Kyota.

Good to see you, Kyota. You bring news?

Not good.

That's the only kind of news we get these days.

Village of Red Middle voice is destroyed.

How do you know this?

I have seen.

Soldiers?

Yes.

Did they kill anybody?

All but one.

Where did the soldiers go?

North?

After failing to find allies,

Little Crow and a small band returned to Minnesota

in search of horses.

Dividing into two groups, they raided the countryside.

They took some lives but found no horses.

They returned to a rendezvous point

north of Hutchinson in Meeker County.

There the band departed leaving Little Crow

and his son, Wowinape, alone.

Where you at, Herman?

Mother's been slaving over that hot stove all day.

Better get in here.

Get the hell off my land.

Herman, I said supper's on the table.

You better come on in.

Get away from there.

What do you think you're doing around here?

Who you yelling at, Herman?

Get off my land before I blast you.

Just looks like a couple Indians picking berries, Herman.

Why don't you just leave 'em alone?

They'll probably be leaving soon.

I'm going to give you to the counter three

or I'm going to give you some lead.

You will not, Herman Lundberg.

If you end up killing somebody,

you're gonna take that body downtown yourself.

You understand me?

One!

Quit being ridiculous.

You knew what that looks like to me?

I only saw him one time at a church in Redwood.

But that looks like Little Crow.

Two!

Wait a minute.

Didn't I hear there was a bounty out on him?

Three!

Stop shooting now, Herman.

You're gonna make him shoot back.

I'm the one who's gonna be hit.

I told you I was serious.

Herman, you stop that reloading and I mean it.

Now I gotta explain our mother

what that gunfire is all about.

I gave you a chance.

She's already gonna be mad 'cause supper's getting cold.

I don't believe you. Look what you've gone and done.

I just got myself $300.

Sibley's army continued after fleeing Dakota.

They fought skirmishers with them

at Dead Buffalo Lake on July 26th

and Stony Lake on July 28th, where Dakota were joined

by Teton Braves under a young chief, Sitting Bull.

They killed Wiser, sir. I say we pitch into 'em.

Maybe stand in Buffalo's still willing to surrender.

Not now. He set it back up that big mound.

Alright, I want the six under Crooks,

the seventh with Marshall to join with McPhail Captain,

form a long picket and sweep up big mound

supported by Jones Artillery.

I say they'll give up, sir.

Stand in Buffalo right out and meet you.

If they're willing to lay down their arms,

I'll ride out and meet 'em.

Might not be wise, sir.

Why do you say that?

Well, one of 'em whispered a warning to me.

I don't think they all want peace.

All right, then I'll stay here.

You write out and meet him.

If it looks like he's really gonna surrender,

send a runner for me.

Men, you've marched nearly 600 miles from St. Paul.

The powerful bands of Dakota have succumbed to your valor

and chosen flight for safety.

We have pushed the Dakota

to the west side of the Missouri River.

So I hereby declare this campaign a success.

Also, we have received yet unconfirmed reports

that Little Crow has been killed near Hutchinson,

and I pray to God that is true.

Forward march!

Lieutenant, I've got a mission for you.

General Sully was supposed to rendezvous with us here,

but he's somewhere down river.

I'd like you to send a scout and a runner and find him,

update him on the situation and let him know where I'm at.

I knew it was gonna be a good day.

It's so good to see you, wife.

I hope you're here to stay.

I am. This is an interesting house.

Yes. Many people here live in a house like this.

They say the warmth of the fire never leaves.

You will have to show me.

My husband, on the way here,

I stopped and talked to someone.

Who?

White lady. She operates a ranch in Dakota.

Do you know this person?

I was told to visit her.

She's doing good things for the Dakota people.

What is her name?

Elvie Collins.

I don't know of an Elvie Collins.

She wants me to work with her

on a school for Dakota children.

A School? Taught by whites?

Some whites, some Dakota.

She wants to speak with you.

I'm sure we can manage to arrange that.

You wanted to see us, grandfather?

Yes. I have bad news from Minnesota.

Little Crow is dead.

Soldiers?

We do not believe so.

I liked Little Crow.

Why did he go back to Minnesota?

Trying to gather war horses?

Why do we need more war horses when we're not at war?

That was very dangerous.

Ramsey's built a militia of 2,000 men.

Why?

To attack Dakota here

while we're still weak from fighting.

There's more.

The generals will join in with another 1,000 soldiers.

What are we gonna do, grandfather?

I fight with the soldiers for the good ones.

All Dakotas fought well.

However, the army got reinforcements.

How many?

Many, many soldiers.

Are they still headed north?

Yes.

Is Little Crow and his warrior still with his people?

I do not think so.

Many, many Dakota.

This would be mostly women and children.

Yes.

They don't have anyone to protect them.

You can bet the army ain't going to stop.

Do you know where they're going?

White stone.

Lordy, that's a long ride.

All night and all day and another night.

We must go, Dan.

No doubt about it. I'm going.

It's just a matter if y'all wanna go with me.

Aim! Aim!

Fire!

You want to see me, sir?

I understand there's a couple of problems on the field.

Yes, sir. A couple things.

We found maybe 200 tons of dried buffalo meat.

So 200 pounds of buffalo meat just disperse it.

No, sir.

Not 200 pounds. 200 tons.

You're trying to tell me you come across 400,000 pounds

in buffalo meat on the field?

Something like that. Yes, sir.

Why do you think so much?

Maybe they were preparing it for next year.

They actually prepped it pretty well.

Now, let me think about this for a minute.

What's your other problem?

We have 300 dead Dakota on the ground out there.

That many?

Yes, sir.

Are those dead Dakota?

How many of 'em would you say are warriors?

Not too many.

So it's mostly-

Women and children, sir.

Lieutenant, do me a favor and keep that number

between you and I right now, okay?

Yes, sir.

Have an idea.

Have an idea.

You keep the buffalo meat all 400,000 pounds of it,

right where it's at.

Yes sir.

You take the bodies of the Dakota

and you throw them on top of this buffalo meat.

Then you burn it all. Burn everything.

You sure, sir?

Kenneth, those are my orders. Yes?

Yes, sir.

Oh, one more thing.

This has nothing to do with

what you've just been talking to me about,

but I believe you're gonna end up going out east on us.

Back to the war, sir?

I don't think so.

They've been asking about you from Washington City.

They want me in Washington?

That's what I understand.

Any idea why?

I don't have the specifics on that, Lieutenant.

Yes, sir.

So you get out there, get yourself fire going over there

so we can get out of this place.

Yes, sir.

We're too late.

It looks like they're burning all the buffalo.

That ain't all the burning.

So many Dakota dead.

So those they call us ancestors,

how they won't know of this?

I don't think they will.

They will.

What do you see?

They are here, so many Dakota.

There is no one.

No. You must see.

There are so many.

They are everywhere.

They are here.

White Stone Hill marked the end

of the 1863 campaign against the Dakota Indians.

Sully finished his pursuit of them the next summer.

He encountered a large band of Sioux,

many of them Teton led by Sitting Bull.

At Killdeer Mountain in Northwestern Dakota Territory,

the confident Sioux Warriors attacked Sully.