Original subtitles

From Washington, gentlemen.

We're not to cross the border.

And so he crossed the little river into Mexico and escaped me.

And be it excessive, evasive, eruptive.

which I'm sure you all remember from your Cicero, I translated to Maine. He

is gone, departed, slunk off, and gotten clean away.

As the Cheyenne, the Sioux, Blackfeet, have all been pacified, even most of

the Apaches are quiet here on the reservations where I put them.

Indeed, I have even enlisted some of them to act as scouts with our forces.

So there remains but one Indian enemy, War Eagle.

And here he sits, below the border, secure in his fortress, his natural

fortress of the Sierra Madres, waiting, gathering strength, drawing to him all

the hotheads, the broncos, the renegades.

But one day he will come out, again cross that little river, and I shall

have a second chance at him.

Perhaps at that time, some of you gentlemen may be serving with me and

thus be a part of bringing the wars, the Indian wars, to a final conclusion once

and for all time.

Gentlemen, I thank you for your kind attention and for the pleasure of this

brief visit with you here at West Point.

Good day, gentlemen.

That's right.

We're your escort for delivery Granger kept up the lieutenant bag for How many

miles to Fort delivery just a little piece across the desert. I said how many

miles 90 sir Where do you think you're going he's on

orders from Fort Baird private white cloudy to scout I ain't taking no

Indians in my wagon What's your name sergeant?

Kroger sir

Sergeant, you pick up his bag and put it in the wagon.

I ain't got no orders to take no windin'. You do now.

All right, put it in. No.

You put it in.

Yes, sir.

Guess you killed a few settlers in your day, aren't you?

Sold a lot of horses?

We ain't never seen no Apache scouts before.

I've been out here six months, and he's the first engine I've laid eyes on.

Well, you're going to be seeing a lot more of them.

General Quaite's recruiting everyone he can get.

For what? Ain't no Apaches out here.

Not since War Eagle jumped the reservation.

Who's in command at the fort?

First Lieutenant Mainwaring.

Just a little bit on his strength, sir.

Only got one through.

Private Cranshaw will show you to the commanding officer.

Lieutenant Hazard, reporting to the commanding officer. Yes, sir.

Lieutenant Meanwaring? Yeah. Lieutenant Hazard reporting, sir.

Come in.

Sit down, sit down.

I've been sitting for the past three days, sir. No, thank you.

Yeah, it is a trip, ain't it?

Here, have a drink.

Thank you.

Oh, fresh from the point, huh?

How's the old brain factory doing?

Still there.

How'd you finish?

Good, Captain.

Top man, huh?

Yeah, we're on it.

I'm only acting commander here now until the new CO, Major Prescott, arrives.

That's what I heard What else did you hear that it's the most exposed outpost

in the Arizona Territory?

That its function is to keep surveillance over the Apaches and that

if it's needed they'll be apprehended and take it back to their reservations

You come to us. Well brief, mr. Hatterton Thanks to

general quake, oh, you know quake I've read everything he's ever written about

the Indian campaigns everything

There's a few details a good general failed to mention.

Army red tape, for instance.

I requisitioned new mounts for the troop about two months ago, so I sit here and

wait. Now they order me to go to Fort Baird for them in the morning.

Who'll be in command while you're gone?

Captain Gray, the medic.

He's been a line officer, too, but, uh,

I'm handing you the troop command so we can have all this time for the

administration.

Yes, sir.

That's the point.

What I mean, Mr. Hazard, is all they give you in those books are glory stuff.

They don't tell you about the two things in this country that are practically

impossible to find.

One's promotion.

The other's an Apache.

What the devil is he doing here? He came in the coach with me. With you?

He's on detached service in Fort Baird, sir. He's a scout.

What'll I do with him? Do with him?

Why, to put him up in the stables? Why the stable?

What else? He's an Indian.

Yeah, good idea, Corporal. Put him in a stable.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Hazard, we want to get cleaned up.

Crenshaw, show the lieutenant his quarters.

Yes, sir.

This way, sir.

Didn't stop in Kentucky on the way out here, did you, Lieutenant? No, why?

That's where I'm from.

Lancaster, Kentucky.

Me and Daniel Boone.

Well, you must be Mr. Hazard.

Captain Gray, sir. Our medical officer. Welcome to the fort. Thank you, sir.

First, I use the term loosely.

Yes, I can see that. No patrols, no eyes there is.

We sit like a blind toad in the desert waiting to get stepped on.

But welcome.

Sure ain't no $2 hotel

room like the guy in St. Louis.

It'll do.

Guess I better mose over to the quartermaster and get some clean

blankets and fresh mattresses.

Give me some hot water so I can wash up.

Anything you want, sir.

Except to transfer.

Welcome to Fort Delivery.

I'm Kitty Mainwaring, Mr. Hazard.

Mrs. Mainwaring?

I'm lending you the only potty geranium this side of Santa Fe.

Just a gentle reminder that life can exist in this godforsaken place.

It's very beautiful.

You'll be doing me a favor by watering it. Did Teddy tell you I'm going home

for a visit to Washington, D.C.? He didn't mention it.

But he thought it would be a convenient time while he's off at Baird for the

remount.

Heaven pity the poor post.

Officers' quarters will be womanless.

Are you the only one?

It's one too many if you ask me.

You know, maybe I've gone crazy, but... You know the first thing I'm going to do

when I get back to civilization?

I'm going to get into a hot tub with a bucket of ice and a big fat bottle of

champagne. Champagne?

Take me with you, Mrs.

Mainquering.

Kitty.

It's like being marooned on a dead planet here.

No formalities, huh?

Make it matte, then.

I'd almost forgotten how dismal this room was.

These are our quarters. Teddy's and mine. We first came out here two years

ago.

Or was it 200?

Must be difficult for a woman out here.

The heat, the loneliness, the danger.

Danger?

What danger?

A little danger might be a relief from the boredom.

I guess the days would be long for a lady.

And the nights.

But then the trumpeter blows the trumpet and it starts all over again.

How is it you didn't bring your lady fair to share our purgatory?

I had none to bring.

Oh?

Well, she'll never know what she missed.

Bye, Matt.

Have a good trip, Kitty.

Gone. Wish I'd brought along a picture of my auntie.

Sure helps when you're homesick.

It does and it doesn't.

Wish there was some way to cut regulations and bring her out here.

Sure would make things more tolerable.

She could even sleep with me.

Just like at home.

You can't bring your wife out here until you're a three-striper.

Why, sir?

I ain't got none.

Well, you can't take your girlfriend into the barracks either.

But Annie, she ain't no human girl.

She's the best old blue-tick coonhound in Kentucky.

Oh.

Excuse me, sir. I'll get you a shave and water.

Don't hurry.

Don't hurry.

There's your first duty, Mr. Hazard.

Take a detail amount of pine bluffs and cut a couple of loads of logs. Yes, sir.

Sergeant? Yes, sir? My wife is planning to leave tomorrow.

You'll have a detail ready for her?

Yes, sir.

Good luck at Fort Beard.

All right, let's go.

Hook up those wagons.

Blow the rest of that wood and make it fast.

I want to be at the fort by sunup tomorrow.

Are we driving all night?

That's correct, Sergeant.

All right. You heard the lieutenant.

Get the horses. Hit them up.

Thank you.

We were ambushed crossing the river.

The driver and the outrider both killed.

What detail returning?

Well, Sergeant?

The Indians attacked while we were just chopping wood.

We was mighty nigh on arm. We made a good stand.

Where's Lieutenant Hazard?

I, uh, I don't rightly know.

We was fighting hand to hand toward the last.

Outnumbered a hundred to one.

You're a damn liar, Kroger.

War Eagle's only sending a few small bands across the border.

All right.

This way.

This ought to be dry now.

Matt! I beg your pardon. I'm sorry.

Where are you?

You certainly know how to take care of a woman.

Well, I haven't had too much practice lately.

I guess we've both been pretty much on our own.

Matt.

Will we get back to the fort?

Chien sabe, as the Mexicans would say.

Who knows?

Does that worry you?

No.

I feel as if I'm... suspended in time.

Not a part of the fort or anything, except... Except?

Except you.

It's a strange feeling.

may never have another time i know it's here and it's gone

and then it's rainy blowing reveille and the ages roll by and i'm doing the

breakfast dishes we'll get back to the fort in that because you're

too capable for us not to good night matt i'm awfully glad it's not goodbye

Sergeant Fry.

Sir. Do you know where Pine Bluff is?

Yes, sir.

Search the east side of the area and see if you can find Lieutenant Hazard or any

of the men.

Yes, sir.

Good luck.

The vehicle was shot up by Indians.

This is me and Warren. It was the only survivor.

Three men lost to the wagon, huh? Yeah.

How many at Pine Bluff?

I counted three.

Two died like soldiers. One was shot in the back. Nearly everybody panicked.

Yeah, I know.

Sergeant Kroger come back with a story that out-custed Custer.

My report is not going to be a pleasant one, sir.

Don't spare the whip, Mr. Hazard.

Let them know in Washington the striper recruit they're sending us.

There's nothing the matter with the recruits, sir. The matter is with the

training and the discipline.

And I promise you, sir, I will correct that.

They won't even understand your kind of academy talk.

Then I'll translate it to their kind.

You get nothing but black marks for the condition of those barracks.

Your indifference to sanitary regulations is incredible.

Swallow that tobacco, mister.

All right, maybe you'll savvy this.

You're not soldiers, you're pigs.

You've forgotten you're in the army.

Well, I'm going to make you know it.

Every man will wash their barrack, inside and out.

You clean your own blankets, and that goes for sergeants, too. Do you hear me,

Kroger?

Yes, sir.

Now get this, every man of you.

Any further disregard for authority will get you double duty.

I advise you don't risk it.

Normal duty is going to be tough enough.

We're going to be starting from the ground up.

With basic training to combat conditioning.

Take over, Sergeant. Yes, sir.

Arms upward.

Reach.

Reach. Come on, touch those toes.

All the way down.

If you can touch your fingers, touch your palms.

Kill those men driving them like that. On the contrary, it'll probably save

their lives one day.

What did you do to the place?

I feel like I'm back among the living.

Oh, it's just some calico dress fabric.

Not very military, but it is pretty.

Besides, it's all I had.

You shouldn't rob from your wardrobe.

Oh, I don't care.

As long as you don't think I look too dreary.

Old army squaw, huh?

Don't try and spoil me with flattery.

Is that how you gathered that bouquet of daisies?

I was doing some dusting for you. I couldn't help seeing them.

Gone, but not forgotten.

The general's niece gets the preferred treatment, huh?

That's right.

But it's as I told you.

No ulterior motives.

Don't touch me, Matt.

Don't touch you?

Don't start any fire.

We're back on our West Point prayer rug.

Where we reverently recite duty, honor, and country. Yes, we're back.

You're in love with another girl.

I've got a husband.

Matt, we're back on schedule.

The trumpet will blow on time.

Nothing has changed but the place.

I haven't.

You haven't.

I know.

That's the danger.

had him at it since sunup i wish this was his neck i'd ring it and i'd ring it

until his tongue hung out like a necktie poor little muchacho yeah poor little

muchacho you're gonna miss your tamales tonight honeybeam

They get paid today, we...

will depart for Green Apache, taking with him every last dollar in the troop,

and leaving me with a sick report as fat as his bankroll. How does he manage it

with the Apaches around?

Tarantula has eight legs and Jones has twice as many.

He's got a foot in every dirty business in the territory.

Guns, girls, whiskey stolen horses, and even claims for the poor put-upon

Apaches. How does he get away with it?

Influence in Washington, I've been told.

And after all your hard work.

Those your wagons?

Yeah, they're mine.

Then get them out of here.

Now, just who might you be?

Lieutenant Hazard, and that's an order.

That's an order?

You look like some pukey young'un right fresh out of West Point.

Pardon me.

Hey, where's my friend Mainware? He usually comes out to meet me.

He's detained at Fort Bayard waiting for Remus.

Oh, that's too bad.

I brought him a little something to cut the dust out of his throat.

You the acting CO?

I am.

Well, I'll just give it to you.

It's good stuff. I drink it myself.

No, thanks.

Sir, I request that you declare those wagons off limits.

Off limits?

Son, out there in them wagons, I got anything you need for body or spirit.

Got some girls, got a little whiskey. If that don't appeal to you, I'll even read

you a little scripture.

What's the matter with you, Lieutenant? You some kind of a plaster saint or

something? Ain't you never learned the advantages of good whiskey and bad

women?

Easy, Mr. Hazard.

It's a question of legality.

Mr. Jones's wagons are on the reservation beyond our control.

And our men have accumulated more time of leave than they'll ever be able to

use. Mr. Jones is free to keep his wagons outside the gate until he wishes

to depart of his own accord.

Yes, sir.

Good day, Mr. Jones.

And don't you ever come through that gate again.

And this here's the army they sent out to protect me from the Apaches?

That's the deal. You keep your brass buttons inside this gate and we'll get

along.

All right, all right. Attention, please. Quiet, quiet.

Let's get ready for the prairie sweepstakes. All right, bring them in.

That's it.

Jocos, get your mounts.

Get them along the starting line.

nation, son. As captain of the winning team, you are about to be rewarded with

the grand prize.

What's it gonna be this time, Seeley? You're gonna get your fortune told in

the fun wagon.

Palm reading or tea leaves?

You've been living under a rock, soldier.

Did you ever get bad pickings from Seeley Jones?

Listen, when I tell you that that one in there makes Venus and Milo look like a

boiled owl, I curse my poverty of description.

Well, let's do it.

since Harsh really sent me west.

Hey, Siri!

He wants to know when the balloons goes up and I don't take them and start

slaying down.

Let there be no further violence where love should be.

Friddlers, make merry.

And what does my gallant young joy killer propose to do about it?

That's not funny. If I were an enlisted man, I'd be out there with him.

You know, it's ironic.

Bonfort surrendering to a single platoon of females.

A thousand Indians couldn't do that job better.

Why don't you just blow Silly Jones' head off?

I might.

Accidentally blow his head off.

This is the time.

having some kind of a drill this morning. Those bums get up pretty early,

don't they?

Get your liquor wagon out of here. You're on the gunnery range.

Gunnery range? Look, mister, I put you over the barrel yesterday with my legal

rights. You want me to do it again?

What do you think you're doing?

Come back here. I'll read to a lot of you.

Down 10.

I hope you kept it legal, Mr. Hazard.

Dismiss the detail.

Detail dismissed.

I did, sir.

As you can see, the wagons were on the gunnery range.

And Mr. Jones is leaving of his own accord.

You say you got a bottle hit around here?

Yes, right here.

Favetail's favorite ending.

Joe Dummy.

Yeah, Joe, where you been?

Out sniffing for tracks?

Well, that's your medicine bag, ain't it, Joe?

What's the matter? Can't you talk?

You really think this medicine bag can save your soul from hell?

Attention!

Damn you, Shavetail.

What did you say?

I said, damn you, Shavetail.

You're busted to a private. Report to me tomorrow for company punishment.

You're restricted to your quarters until then.

I'll see you in hell first.

Take him to the guardhouse.

Yes, sir.

What happened up there?

I hit a non-commissioned officer.

Oh, man.

I told you you were driving those troopers too hard.

Troopers, they don't know what the word means.

They will by the time I get through it.

You're a hard man.

A duty man.

That's your only love, really.

Is there a better kind?

Well, speaking as a normal woman, yes.

As an army woman, no.

Matt, did I ever tell you about my father?

No.

He died at Gettysburg when he was about your age.

He was a second lieutenant, too.

Your father?

Mm-hmm.

He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.

Well, the first in its history.

A medal of honor?

I probably want that more than anything in the world.

They still invite me to the award ceremony.

I always cry a little because it's Army.

Even when I married Teddy, it was... Just Army, never really love.

You're my first love, Matt.

My only love.

Now you know.

And if you were mine, really mine, I mean, mine for keeps,

I'd take what little love I could get and be grateful for it.

Lieutenant Hazard!

Kroger tunneled out of the guardhouse, and that laundress, Florita, is missing

with him.

The captain wants you to take out a pursuit detail to get them and the

horses. All right, thanks.

There are the bodies of Kroger and Florida.

Piper, tell Captain Gray that we'll pursue the Indians as long as we have

food and water.

Yes, sir.

All right, now take a good look at them.

That's going to make killing Apaches a lot easier.

They were buried alive.

Those ants are eating their brains out.

Murphy, Crenshaw, bury them.

Crenshaw. Dig him up and bury him.

Andrew, go.

Why aren't you on guard?

Crenshaw's on second relief, sir. I swear he didn't wake me.

Where is he?

He's gone.

Some of our canteens are missing, sir.

Our water supply is low.

We have another forced march. We're in trouble.

Do you think you can go get him and bring him back?

Here they come, sir.

Sir, I know it looks fishy, me riding off like this, but... Why'd you run

away? I didn't run away.

I was on guard and I heard this noise.

And you just went out to investigate?

Well, yes, sir. You see... You damn lying deserter.

I'm filing charges to that effect.

But what they did to Sergeant Florida.

Buried him in the sand and those ants.

I couldn't stand thinking about it. Soldier.

I couldn't stand thinking about it. I don't want to die like that.

I don't want to die.

Sergeant, take charge of the prison until we get back to the fort.

Yes, sir.

Saddle up!

Stardust. Sir, the new CO arrived yesterday, Major Prescott. He wants your

report right away.

Lieutenant Hazard, sir.

Stazard, Major Prescott.

You have a successful mission?

Sir, I did not apprehend the killers of Sergeant Kroger and the laundress or

recapture the horses. I've confined a two-by-two guard. Lieutenant, I'd prefer

you make your report in writing.

Yes, sir.

Oh, Jessica.

Mr. Hazard, my wife Jessica.

How do you do, Mr. Prescott? How do you do? I've been looking forward to meeting

you, Mr. Hazard. Thank you very much.

While you leave, sir, I'll turn in my report.

Yes, Lieutenant.

Why didn't you tell him?

And spoil the surprise?

Hiram, sometimes you're impossible.

Well, I lose again.

Laura, well, what a surprise.

Darling.

I hardly recognized you. You don't keep very tidy around here.

Well, it wasn't exactly a tidy mission we were on.

I suppose I should have given you some warning. But Mother was visiting friends

in Philadelphia, and I just up and left.

You didn't tell her? I wired her from Kansas City.

Goodness gracious, Matt, say something.

A girl ought to be complimented on facing up to hardships.

Well, it is difficult for a woman out here.

Picture.

I guess your mind didn't stray too far from me.

Well, it sure brightened up things.

Now that's my Matt talking.

You know, you're just too ideal to go to waste, Matt.

Why, there's no commission in this whole army. Too good for Matt Hazard.

Now you're trying to change my career.

No, it's my right.

Laura, I want you to forget about that.

You may find that you might be getting into something that you don't know

about. Why? This old rattletrap camp won't last forever.

Well, it's not exactly that.

Well, it's that you may find that I'm not quite the same.

All right, if you want to put yourself on trial.

I'm sure the Prescotts won't mind the general's knee staying with them for a

spell. It's good politics.

I'll go and let you clean up.

You're expected at headquarters for dinner tonight.

First, I've got to turn in my report.

Oh, all right, but don't be late. Mrs. Prescott wants to talk over the

arrangements.

Arrangements? Mm-hmm.

She says there's a Spanish mission up the valley with a priest.

Oh, wonderful, wonderful.

My husband feels we couldn't possibly go to that mission now.

The Apaches would simply love to attack a wedding party.

Goodness gracious, I wouldn't want Matt all shot up before the honeymoon.

No. Just you be patient, my dear. You'll get him.

Yes, ma'am.

Patient as a cat with a mouse.

I don't reckon anyone's going to try to snatch him away, excepting that other

kitty. Not kitty me wearing.

That's the kitty. Oh, Laura. Oh!

That must be Mrs. Mainwaring now.

Oh, Mrs.

Mainwaring. I believe you and Miss Greenleaf are acquainted.

Oh, yes, we are. Of course.

Goodness, I forgot the cookies.

Laura, will you pour for Mrs.

Mainwaring, please?

Yes, ma'am.

I think we first met at Fort Porter, didn't we?

Oh, yes.

I was just telling Mrs. Prescott how charming you are.

Thank you, Laura.

You've blossomed into a lovely young woman, you say?

I'm obliged to the lovely lady thinking so.

Attention to orders.

I wouldn't watch that if I were you.

No? You make it sound interesting.

Special order number 284.

having been duly tried and convicted of violation of Article 4.6 of the Articles

of War.

Private Crenshaw, for having abandoned his post while on sentry duty in the

field, is hereby ordered to be formally degraded in public formation by

stripping from his uniform all marks and insignia and ordered to be branded with

a recognized mark of a deserter and dishonorably discharged from the United

States Army by Order Brigadier General H.B. Smith, commanding.

Take his coat off.

My

Matt.

Nothing will ever stop him.

Does my heartlessness shock you?

No.

When I married the army, I married all of it.

The good and the bad.

Yes. You are married, aren't you?

It's Peterson.

He went after the remounts with Lieutenant Mainwaring. What happened to

the rest and the 40 horses?

You find out, Lieutenant.

Good afternoon, Mrs. Mainwaring.

Hello, Laura.

They've been gone for days. I'd hope they'd be back by now.

I guess it doesn't do much good to watch for him.

Keeps you from going crazy.

Yes, I see what you mean.

You've been married a considerable time, haven't you?

It seems that way.

Kind of a veteran?

There's no need to curtsy.

Of course not.

What I mean is I have a lot to learn in a hurry, and maybe I can learn from you.

What do you think about when he's out there?

You hope he'll come back?

That's the terrible part, isn't it?

You never really know.

No.

What do you think about?

I can even tell you what he thinks about.

Duty?

Career? Ambition?

You name all the proud words and you've got it.

We're talking about the same man, aren't we, Mrs. Mainwaring?

Matt Hazard.

I'm talking about the sum total of a soldier.

Teddy, Matt, my father.

A whole blessed bunch of them and the things they die for.

Oh, yes.

I'm sorry.

I've been kind of getting the idea that you've had just one too many men on your

mind.

Lieutenant Mainwaring.

The rest of them are in here, sir. Burn to a crisp.

Sergeant, assign a burial detail.

Yes, sir. Horton, Sweeney, drop out. Burial detail.

Yeah. Ranchoises, too, and the brands are burned off.

How about Lieutenant Maine wearing in his outfit?

Massacred Lieutenant and all the men.

I was afraid of that.

His poor wife.

What are they waiting for in Washington?

War Eagle to ride down Pennsylvania Avenue?

This is one report I'll make sure they read.

I'll send it to General Quaid at Fort Porter.

You get some rest before you write it up.

I'll break the news to Mrs. Mainwaring.

Kitty, I... should have come sooner, but I...

You have a drink?

Teddy would have offered it to you.

I never thought I'd see the day that I'd appreciate Celie's whiskey.

You need it?

I didn't sleep.

No, neither did I.

My only legacy from Teddy.

Where will you go from here?

I'll try not to look back too much.

Shed the false years and try to be myself.

What about you, Laura?

Yes.

Truth is, I like to rough up your little Miss Peach fuzz.

Kitty, don't.

No, I won't.

Mail wagon will be leaving in two weeks. When it goes, I'll be on it.

Don't touch me.

Remember.

Sentry, how the devil did that camp get set up there without somebody giving the

alarm? I don't know, sir. I don't think it happened on my release, sir. You mean

it's been up there all night? I don't know, sir. Take a look at that. I see

two stars on the penny. Major General Alexander Upton Quater. I'll eat my

horse. Well, don't just stand there.

Rainy, blow rivoli.

Into uniform.

We'll have to pay our respects.

There'll be hell to pay for this.

All right, into the uniform.

They were all on the devil.

Good morning, Major. I'm Captain Brinker of the Judge Advocate's Office.

Acting adjutant to General Quaid. Captain?

One of the General's old friends is inside, paying his respects.

He'll be with you in a moment.

My regards for your alertness, White Cloud.

The only person in sleepy Ford delivery to use the eyes in his head.

Intelligence Maximus Diominus.

General Quaid, sir. This is Major... Prescott, sir.

Captain Gray, Lieutenant Hazard.

Anxious A.

Intentus Sagere, which you may recall from your Tacitus.

I translate it to mean always active, never impulsive.

How do you do, gentlemen?

Captain Gray, tell me, when was the last time that Fort Delivery was attacked by

an unchallenged enemy at night?

Sir, we've never been attacked at night. The opportunities for an enemy would

seem to be enormous.

I should think an army outpost a hundred miles from nowhere with no sentries on

duty would be as inviting to an enemy as it is astonishing to me.

Captain Rinker, a copy of my orders, please.

I shall read only the pertinent sections, gentlemen. Please, to listen

carefully.

You will proceed to Fort Delivery, territory of Arizona.

There to conduct an official inquiry into illegal and prejudicial actions and

activities resulting in abuse of persons and destruction and theft of property

perpetrated or authorized by elements of that command, signed the Secretary of

War.

At least your presence here saves me the inconvenience of summoning you to the

inquiry.

Inquiry, sir?

Yes.

We'll proceed as soon as my guests arrive.

Guests?

Chiricahuas? Guests of the inquiry, gentlemen.

Shall we be seated, gentlemen?

The hearing will come to order.

Major Hiram Prescott.

Sir, I have been authorized by General Quake to waive formalities.

Major Prescott, did you on the 24th day of September last issue certain orders

to one of your officers for an operation in the field?

I did, sir.

Who was that officer?

Second Lieutenant Matthew Hazard.

I have here certain papers which you forwarded through channels, your

original orders to Lieutenant Hazard, his report on his...

Mission in the field.

Tell me, Major, were there any other orders given verbally which you have not

detailed in your report?

No, sir.

You did not order Lieutenant Hazard to fire a section of the prairie and return

to this post with a hundred stolen horses?

No, sir.

I refer to certain Indian ponies belonging to the Chiricahua Nation.

Did you, sir, order the theft of those horses?

Of course not, sir.

When an officer in the field is faced with... Then I am correct in assuming

that Lieutenant Hazard operated beyond the scope of his order.

No, sir, you are not correct.

Did you order him to fire a section of the prairie?

Sir, the general knows perfectly well that action was necessary in order to

effect an escape.

Did you give him specific orders for such an action?

No, sir.

I can imagine that's wrong.

Captain Gray, you were acting commanding officer on that day. Did you give any

verbal orders or instructions to Lieutenant Hazard to fire an artillery

round shot?

I did not, sir. But there were extenuating circumstances, sir. Thank

you, Captain. That will be all.

And now Mr. Seeley Jones, if you please.

Mr. Jones, would you tell us your occupation, please?

I'm an honorable and respected merchant well known in these parts.

I got a ranch, and I have taken upon myself the job of representative of that

great Indian nation, the Chiricahua Apaches.

Did you recently file a claim against the government of the United States of

America? Yes, sir, I did. I filed one for myself, and I filed one for my

beloved friends and their great Chief War Eagle, who, unfortunately, was

unable to attend this meeting, but he asked me to come in his place.

The first claim, an amount of $6,000, alleges that Lieutenant Hazard, without

cause, did destroy a wagon and the contents thereof belonging to one Mr.

Seeley Jones.

You're damn right he did.

Second claim, the amount of $14,000 alleges that part of your ranch property

was burned off to an extent of approximately 21 square miles by troops

under the command of Lieutenant Hazard.

Well, actually, it was more like 30 square miles. That's a lie. I burned

some brush in a canyon.

That's enough, Lieutenant.

Third claim, the amount of $15,000 is made by Mr.

Thiele Jones as agent of the Chiricahua Indians.

For sloth of a herd of horses stolen by troops under the command of Lieutenant

Hazard. Uh, Mr. Jones, I assume that you have witnesses to support these claims?

There they are.

Thank you, Mr. Jones. I'd just like to say that, uh, my own personal grievances

just come second to seeing that my beloved friends get justice.

Lieutenant, were you responsible for the destruction of Mr.

Jones' wagon and his contents?

I am, sir.

Are you also responsible for the action of your troops on September 24th last

for setting fire to a section of the prairie?

Yes, sir. And are you also responsible for their actions in running off a herd

of Indian horses on that same day?

I am, sir.

Thank you, Lieutenant. That'll be all.

Sir, this is an outrage.

The circumstances of these actions are what count.

In any fair trial, provision is made for inadequate defense.

Gentlemen, this inquiry is ended.

Yes, but its consequences are far from ended.

You gentlemen be so kind as to wait for me in the tent while I say goodbye to my

friends, the Chiricahuas, for their attendance.

Whose side is he on? The Apaches or ours?

It's the record of the inquiry in which Seeley Jones perjured himself.

Precisely. I shall deal appropriately with Seeley Jones all in good time.

Gentlemen, I was forced to let you suffer through a mock trial.

Yes.

Otherwise, my friend, the Chircows would have detected that you were merely

pretending distress.

It's my hope that they will pass the word on to War Eagle that evil will not

be tolerated here, neither from my people nor from his own.

And perhaps this will cool his ardor and he'll change his plan about coming

charging from Mexico with his entire force.

He has such a plan?

Yes, my Indian reconnaissance has so informed me. His vanguard has already

crossed over the little river.

Isn't it possible, sir, that the information could be a trap?

No.

No, contrary to certain opinions in Washington, I have never found an Apache

scout to be faithless of my trust in him.

A prime example is Chief White Cloud.

White Cloud is a chief?

Yes, and a very great chief.

Back in the 70s, when he was my principal enemy, I learned more from

that one silent Apache.

Then I learned from all the cavalry experts since Genghis Khan.

Finally, he became my captive.

In time, he learned to trust me.

Now... Now I shall face War Eagle again, probably the greatest guerrilla fighter

in the world today.

This, gentlemen, is my plan.

If you please.

I plan to bivouac in Brigade Strength just about here, at the junction of

the... How dare you intrude on a secret briefing?

Oh, I'm not an Indian spy, Uncle Alex.

Why, Jupiter, a whole tribe of Indians got to come creeping in here.

Where's my sentry? Don't I have a sentry?

Gentlemen,

I guess that kind of evens the score, huh?

You may return to your post. You'll hear from me before the day is out.

Wait outside for me, Matt. Uncle Alex won't mind.

You gods, now she's countermanding my orders.

Very well, Lieutenant, you may wait for her, but while you're waiting, you might

ponder the perils of civilian entanglements.

I brought you a jar of honey and some of your favorite soda biscuits.

Mm-hmm.

What do you want for them, Laura?

Why, nothing, Uncle Alex.

This Matthew Hazard, is the one your mother's been writing me about?

She wrote me she was getting in touch with you.

Your dear mother's hints are about as subtle as the blow from the tail of an

agitated dinosaur.

All we're asking is a promotion for Matt and, well, maybe a transfer to some nice

post not too far from home.

When are you leading him to the scaffold, Laura?

Now, doesn't that just sound like a mean old bachelor?

When, Laura?

Day after tomorrow at the mission. And I'm hoping you'll be around to give me

away. Well, I'll learn.

I'll certainly think about it.

You're a sweet uncle, Alex.

Bye,

Matt.

Kitty. What are the geranium, will you?

Kind of an old friend.

I'll write to you.

You just be a good soldier.

Murphy?

What

is

it? A drill?

Campaign orders.

Laura!

There'll scarcely be a corporal's guard left here.

Campaign? I tell you, Laura, we miss a lot not getting up for Reveille.

They're off for bivouac.

Not Matt. My wedding's tomorrow.

Oh, Laura.

In the army, there's never any certainty of tomorrow.

I've got to find him. Don't... Matt!

I know there's going to be a delay.

How long will you be gone? I don't know.

Oh, Alex did this to me.

As he once said at the academy, the army is a jealous mistress. And he loves her.

That's why he's an old bachelor and meanest in the boot.

War anglers moved across the border and striked.

White clouds continuing reconnaissance. So, gentlemen, that means that we move

too.

They can conquer who believe they can.

It's, uh, Trident out of Virgil, I think.

The last time I've seen him, I've got to get in the bus. The last time I've seen

him, I've got to get in the bus.

That's an old Apache maneuver.

War Eagle's going to break up his main strength, deploy different parties of

warriors behind these hills.

Hope to catch us in a crossfire as we combine full strength.

We'll just fight fire with fire.

There comes the old fox now.

Trying to get us to show our hand.

Wants us to believe that that's his entire force.

I won't bore you with a translation

of War Eagles.

Opinion of the United States Cavalry.

Move on into that drawer. We'll regroup and run them off.

Good flight!

Try to make the red. I'll take the river crossing.

Some of them will chase me and I'll ambush them.

Good luck.

We won the battle, but it's not a victory war Eagle can hide from it below

the border

I'll give you the colloquial translation, gentlemen.

Outfoxed again.

A fine soldier and a gentleman.

What a damned useless sacrifice.

Soon War Eagle will again be secure in his stronghold in the Sierra Madras.

We've accomplished nothing.

How many more lives must I expend? An entire brigade in a mountain campaign

that might prove endless?

Now, now I have in mind a new design.

There is an instrument in human affairs which has not yet been used with War

Eagle. It's called trust.

Yes, trust.

I've seen it work with White Cloud.

We only want one man, War Eagle.

If we can bring him in, the rest of his people will follow.

And I propose to bring him in with only one man.

Only one man to parlay with.

But, sir, you're too... Too old? Too old for the hardships involved?

Sir, you said that. I didn't. You belong to this new, young generation of soft

living.

What's this?

Is that me?

Go ahead, you make a spectacle of yourself if you want to.

No, sir, I'm saving myself for what's ahead.

Sig transit juvenalis.

Very well, Mr. Hazard, the job is yours.

And at worst, you could possibly wind up with a happier afterlife than an

existence with Laura, my mother.

If by any chance I run into Celie Jones, am I permitted to shoot him?

Absolutely not.

This is a peaceful mission.

White Cloud will be your guide, and somewhere out there in the mountains of

the Sierra Madres in Mexico, you'll find War Eagle.

When you do, you'll give him this, and he will know that you've come from me,

because this was his gift to me long ago, before I put him on the

reservation.

White Cloud will need some sense of power as well as your own, so I'm

promoting him to the rank of sergeant. When we come back, where will you be?

I'll proceed to the river. I'll wait there for you one month, no longer.

You mean at the little river?

Words you once said at West Point.

Yes.

You know, Mr. Hazard, a man is not a man who would permit his people to die

needlessly. Would that be from the Latin, sir?

No.

No, that's from Alexander Upton Quaid.

And, Mr. Hazard...

I have a certain persuasive approach you might use in talking to War Eagle.

You'll be my voice. Come on in, we'll talk about it.

Yes, sir. I've studied the Apache language. I'll understand.

Thank you.

I search for war, Eagle.

I come from General Quaid.

And he knows you.

Your surrender.

If I do not return,

General Quaid will find you.

And you will be dead and all your people.

But if you surrender to General Quaid, you will live a long time.

No.

You will take your people to the border where General Quaid awaits you.

You will not be punished.

By his word, you will live on your own land, on your own reservation in

Arizona. And I promise that I will protect you and give you food and

clothing.

You will live in peace and you will remain their chief.

Because you must trust me.

Because I'm here.

Because I trusted you.

No, he is not a fool. You are.

A man is not a man who lets his people die when it is hopeless.

These are your children.

Will you let them die because of the anger in your heart?

Be like a father who loves his sons.

Tell them to live.

You must trust my promises

and surrender.

We will camp down the mountain.

By the time the sun comes up, I want your answer.

You'll never get away with it, Shaved Tail.

. .

.

Those days are over.

That's right, War Eagle.

Your valley.

Let's take your people home.

Hazard? Yes, sir.

Major Miller, is this War Eagle?

Yes, sir.

Where's General Quaid? He's being replaced.

I'll accept their surrender.

All right, pull them out.

Now, wait a minute. These people have had a hard trip.

People?

Are you calling them people?

It fits them better some way, 15.

You better watch out what you're saying, Lieutenant.

I simply was saying that they need food and rest or they'll be dropping on the

trail. And they'll be the good ones, the ones that are dead.

The others will get all the rest they need on their way to Florida.

What do you mean, Florida?

They made their last rampage in Arizona.

Now the chief goes and so does he.

That's an army scout.

He's an Indian, isn't he?

I've made them promises.

Where's General Quaid?

At Fort Delivery.

You know, it seems to me, Lieutenant, that you should show a lot more respect

for a superior officer who has come up from the ranks. With you, it's all

academy.

No, sir.

It's strictly the individual.

And I was going to commend you for a job well done.

You sure changed my mind.

By your leave, sir, I'll be returning to Fort Delivery.

You stinking Indian lover.

Maybe we ought to pass the hat and get enough money so you can open a cigar

store Maybe so sir

Hey, General Clayton. He went east about a week ago, taking his niece and Mrs.

Prescott with him.

I've been taking care of the damn geranium.

What's the matter, lad? You don't look well.

Oh, that's strange.

Nothing aside from betraying the Indians and slugging a superior officer and

losing my girl.

Matt?

How are you?

I don't know.

I think I'm in real trouble this time.

Yes, I kind of think so.

I have here your special orders to report to the department in Washington.

We'll be there by the 15th of this month.

I think you ought to just grab a fresh horse and keep on going.

Captain, if you have a real good civilian job, would you let me know

about it?

I will not.

I'd take it myself.

Now, Lieutenant, General, I'd like to tell you my side of this.

Yes.

Yes, I was very unhappy leaving you and those unfriendly hands at the border.

Then I got wind of that shameful Indian policy and I rushed back here to make a

fight of it.

With negative results, I might add.

Sir, I deeply regret the Miller incident.

As I stated in my report, the fellow's always falling off his horse. Due to

habitual intoxication, I've no doubt. I've never hit a drunk in my life.

Lieutenant, how did you enjoy your train ride?

All the way from Tucson to Washington, D.C. in ten days.

That's amazing.

Mr. Secretary, I have the pleasure to bring before you my most able

subordinate officer, Lieutenant Matthew Hazard.

Lieutenant Matthew Hazard. Soon to be captain, eh, General?

That is correct, sir.

Delighted to have you with us, Lieutenant.

I believe we may now proceed.

Second Lieutenant Matthew Hazard, 6th Cavalry, having proved his selfless

devotion to duty in an extraordinarily arduous mission, calling for utter

disregard to personal safety, directly leading to a capitulation of the last

enemy among the Western tribes, and the consequent saving of many lives by

bringing the Indian Wars to a conclusion, is hereby, with the approval

of the President and the Congress, granted the highest military award

within the gift of this nation, the Congressional Medal of Honor, with all

the rights and privileges thereunto appertaining.

Congratulations, Lieutenant.

Mr. Secretary, I was not alone in Mexico.

The man who made possible what we did is an Apache scout in the United States

Army. His name is Sergeant White Cloud.

He's now a prisoner in Florida.

Mr. Secretary, he has been betrayed by the United States Army,

and I am appealing to you for his immediate release.

Lieutenant, if we differentiated among these people, we could never stop.

However, your concern does you credit. And now, you will have my resignation

within the hour.

And here, Mr. Secretary, is my resignation.

I can only ask our honored guests.

To accept my deepest apologies for this unfortunate incident.

That will be all.

Thank you.

Not quite all, Mr. Secretary, if you please.

Would you gentlemen of the press be kind enough to wait for a few moments in the

adjoining chamber?

We shall have a further very important statement to make. You wouldn't want to

go to press without all the news, would you?

Thank you.

Lieutenant, you will wait for me in the alley room.

Matt, have you lost your mind?

I'm just beginning to get it back.

All this fuss over some dirty old Indian.

Mother's expecting you and Uncle Alex at the house tonight.

Maybe you can talk some sense into both of you. Wait a minute, Laura.

Lieutenant, that took great courage.

Stick to your guns, Lieutenant.

May I shake your hand? You're so young and handsome.

Yes, yes, it is imperative that I speak with President Arthur personally.

These newfangled knickknacks.

And as for you, General, this is blackmail. You're holding those

newspaper people over my head. I still have two very good weapons at my

command. The free press and the American voter.

Speak plainly. You demand the return of those Indians to Arizona.

No, no, no, not me, Mr. Secretary.

I've had my day.

A new national hero demands their return.

Medal of Honor.

You know, I've always wanted one of these.

And another thing, General, I won't accept either one of these resignations.

Well, I should certainly hope not, Mr. Secretary, with my retirement pension

starting next year.

Oh?

Hello.

President Arthur?

Yes, sir. Yes, yes.

Well, sir, there's been a slight hitch with the Medal of Honor proceeding.

Slight hitch? Allow me, Mr. Secretary.

Hello, Chester.

Yes, Alex.

Fine. Fine. You?

Good.

Quite a charming soiree last night, wasn't it?

Yeah. You know, I'm glad to see you getting out more. Delighted.

Now, listen, Chester, listen very carefully.

You're in one hell of a mess with those Indians.

Captain Hazard, it's not within my province to command you to accept the

decoration. However, I should like once more to request that you do.

My position remains the same as it was in Washington, sir.

For your information, Captain, the Chiricahua Apaches are now on their way

to the reservation.

And as for White Cloud and War Eagle...

And now, sir, would it disrupt the commanding officer's household if I were

to invite myself to dinner on such short notice?

Not at all, sir. My wife is an old army squaw.

Good

morning,

sir. Troop would like to pay their respects to the captain and his lady.

Thank you, sir.

Is that better?

Three cheers for the captain and his lady.

Cheers! Cheers!

Cheers! Cheers!