Original subtitles

Bedford Forrest?

Van Dorn, I presume.

Thank you for meeting me like this.

I can only imagine this is some feeble attempt

to reestablish your reputation,

clean that ugly stain off your record.

I'll give you 30 seconds to establish your intentions.

Otherwise, I must take my leave.

What if I told you I had a way

to stop Grant from attacking Port Gibson?

I'd say any plan to take on the greatest the Union

has to offer is either madness or brilliance.

Grant's in Kentucky.

If we could stop him from moving east or west and prevent him

from calling in reinforcements,

we can force him north,

and curtail his ability to cut off our supply chain.

Time's up.

For this to work, I need you to sabotage

Grant's communications while I attack.

However, only the generals can know about this.

I need someone I respect,

someone I can trust.

If it's action you want, this is it.

No politics, no bureaucracy.

This would be for the cause,

not your reputation.

You get Pemberton to agree,

you got my word.

I'll back you.

Why must you engage in

that sensational poppycock?

"General Earl Van Dorn has met

with the President."

-Lincoln? -Davis, silly.

Funny, I don't remember voting for him.

What's so special about this Van Dorn?

"General Earl Van Dorn saved the Cherokee and Anadarko tribes

"when they were being slaughtered by the Comanche.

"During his first battle in Wichita,

"he took two arrows,

"one to his lungs and another to his stomach.

Any lesser man would have been killed."

I'm sure many a lesser man have been killed at his hands.

Well, that may be so.

But surrender is not an option.

Fighting is a matter of principle now.

Well, as a physician,

and a legislator,

it would be nice if I spent less time patching up young men

and more time patching up what's left of Tennessee.

What we need here...

less bloodshed, more business.

Well, right now,

the pen sure ain't

mightier than the sword.

Sir?

Sir, we need to talk.

Can it not wait, Manning? I'm still trying to figure out

what to do about that rat Pemberton.

Issued by Lincoln himself.

That is a slanderous statement.

I guess things are getting personal now, sir.

I'm gonna have to hit him where it hurts.

If they're talking in terms

of piracy, they better batten down the hatches,

for a storm is coming.

Brigadier General Richard Griffith requests

that I allow you to lead his men.

"Give us Major General Van Dorn,

than whom no braver man lives."

I always did like Griffith.

He knows how to work as a team.

I was simply doing my duty

regarding Corinth, and you know full well

that I'd do it again if I had to.

I'm not here for an apology

or to rub your nose in anything.

I'm here to propose something of mutual benefit,

something that will increase both our reputations.

That is, if you'll permit of course.

How exactly would I benefit?

Because when this is successful,

you'll be the one credited with approving it.

A moment, please.

Yes, sir?

Surprise me.

Georgia.

The Kakheti region.

Yes, sir. East Georgia, sir.

Sir, I can't drink with you.

I'm not asking you to drink with me.

I'm asking you to check and see if it's corked.

It's fine, sir.

I never would have guessed you were quite such

the connoisseur of wine, General.

It's an acquired love.

Advice that I find to serve me well...

Among other things.

Other things?

I taste hints of velvet cherry,

maple, Southern soil,

tobacco, apples,

butter, and clay.

It is a true sweetness that dotes on the rich and the poor

with a thick...

strawberry finish.

To Dixie.

Dixie.

You okay, General?

You look like you've seen a ghost.

Well, I certainly intend to create a few.

You got a war to win.

My own war, on my own terms.

Not for the governor,

not for him,

but for you.

Every one of them like you.

A humiliating defeat, they're saying.

Devastating.

1,500 captured, I heard,

including Colonel Murphy.

He saved Vicksburg.

Saved Vicksburg?

I dare say he may very well

have saved the entire Confederacy.

Excuse my interruption.

Has there been any news?

"Has there been any news?"

General Van Dorn is the news.

These are dark, dark days.

And I find myself sick

when I think of all the innocents who suffer

the horrors of this war.

It's carnage like no other conflict

I've ever witnessed in my lifetime.

Families torn apart,

brothers fighting brothers.

And the endless bloodshed...

And it must end soon.

I admire your forward thinking and aggression in battle.

It seems that you and I are cut from the same cloth.

Well, that's a fine cloth indeed, sir.

I'd like to think so.

I'd also like to think that someday people will cheer,

"Robert E. Lee has licked Grant in battle" too.

Mmm!

That's quite the accolade you've gained for yourself.

I'm sure they'll cheer it even louder when you do, sir.

Have a seat, please.

Reputations, like women,

are fickle things.

And your reputation is rife with fickle women.

I'm no prude, General,

but it would be entirely wrong of me not to warn you off

the temptations that glory as a military man can bring.

General Grant will strike again,

to save his name, if nothing else.

You let me handle Grant.

They're reassigning you to Tennessee.

The only way to stop the bloodshed,

is for us to win this war.

Very good, sir.

They won't come to regret it.

And let's hope you don't come to regret it either.

Our town being chosen as a military command post

puts us all in danger.

Of all places in Tennessee,

why did they have to pick Spring Hill?

The war effort

should be welcomed as warmly as possible.

These men are out there risking their lives.

If anything, it'll mean extra protection.

Mm-hmm.

Why am I entertaining the opinion

of two giddy women who engage in

the exercise of idolizing

these incompetent thugs?

I have to say, all this talk of Van Dorn comin'

has turned this town completely topsy-turvy.

It sure does make me feel like a young girl again.

You are not helping my case here, Lilly.

When this circus comes to town,

I forbid you to attend

any of this mindless revelry that is planned.

On what grounds?

On the grounds...

On the grounds that it most likely

be rife with intemperance.

It's a banquet, it's...

Jesse.

You heard me.

Right?

If it's any consolation, my husband also wants

nothing to do with all the pomp and circumstance

of such an event either.

Well, your husband also

won't be away for the duration.

Jesse Peters, are you planning on attending alone?

Oh, come with me, Lilly.

It'll be like old times.

You know I can't.

My duty forbids it.

Besides, you may be available to go,

but you have not been asked to attend.

Ahem.

Oh...

Well...

An invite.

I guess now,

it's a matter of duty that I show my face.

Mmm-mm-mm!

It is for a town, such as Spring Hill,

with luscious pastures

and blue skies, and children who deserve

the finest future that we fight.

We must be vigilant.

We must stand strong.

We will not shrink back. We will not bow down

to a distant tyrant who desecrates our rights.

We will endure. We will push forward.

And for the love of dear Dixie,

we shall win.

General, it is my honor.

You sure do make a body feel safe out here.

What's your name, miss?

Jesse, sir. Jesse Peters.

Well, Jesse, I assure you,

the honor is all mine.

General Van Dorn, sir.

I'm Anna Daniels, and I'm here to assist you

in any way I can.

Well, that sounds wonderful. Please see my assistant.

General Van Dorn, I insist on

acting as your liaison

for the duration of your stay.

I know the Cheairs Mansion like the back of my hand

and I can sure make you...

awfully comfortable.

It's a new town, sir.

I'm sure we could use all the assistance that's on offer.

And where exactly will I be sleeping?

Why, the best room in the house, of course.

Your office is downstairs,

and this is the bed chamber.

Quite the view you got.

The who's who of Spring Hill.

Mayor Haynes's place, the town hall,

the Peter's household across the way.

Peters, did you say?

Gentlemen, now,

you all know I'm right proud of each and every one of ya.

The finest men I've ever fought beside.

But now, as we await our orders,

I'm going to introduce you to your new commanding officer,

Major General Van Dorn.

Present arms!

Sir, it's an honor

to be fighting by your side once again.

Shoulder, arms.

Men, it is my honor

to serve you, and to serve our country.

And I ask now that you trust me,

and that you trust General Forrest,

and that you trust yourselves.

Victory requires greatness.

And I offer that to you now.

But I would be remiss

if I didn't warn you the cost.

I ask you, are you brave enough?

Yes, sir.

I said, are you brave enough?

Yes, sir!

I present to you now the Van Dorn battle flag,

which will wave you on, as it has waved on

the great men who have fought for victory with me before.

May God be with every one of you,

and may God be with our great cause.

Ladies and gentlemen!

Ladies and gentlemen.

Tonight, we're here to honor

Tennessee's new Commander of Cavalry,

Major General Earl Van Dorn!

Mayor, thank you.

This assembly of beauty is a fountain

that quenches my thirst for ambition.

One smile from the beauty I see around me.

One simple smile from any of you

is enough to compensate me

for all of my humble achievements

and the entirety of my glory.

Thank you.

My dear friends,

tonight we will eat, drink,

and make merry until the sun rises.

I knew my men didn't stand a chance.

The Comanche are the enemies of all men,

and the Anadarko tribe were our brothers in the war.

To win against the Comanche,

you have to use their tactics against them.

We are so honored to have you, sir.

I overheard you talking about fighting the Comanche.

I believe you forged yourself a hit and run,

which led them to deception.

This is true.

I could feel my horse, San Antonio's heart,

pounding scared beneath me.

I turned and saw a swath

of murderous Comanche following...

this was always my plan and accounted for.

And then your men pounced

from the high ground...

And victory was ours.

And after that,

the Anadarko worshiped you like a God.

Isn't that true, General?

You've been reading up on me.

I must admit,

I'm fascinated by military men.

-Shall we? -I'd love to, General.

I noticed you're not wearing a ring.

Small sacrifice for the cause.

I so desire to hear more

about your adventures on the battlefield.

And I want to tell you.

Might I suggest,

you show me around the town,

and as thanks, I'll tell you more about my campaigns.

That sounds grand.

Might you be available to ride in my carriage tomorrow?

I might, General.

I just might.

Please.

Call me Earl.

But may I also still call you General?

I may be fascinated by men like you, General.

Keep it known.

I'm already taken by another.

Thank you for calling on me, General.

Of course. And I want you to call me Earl,

at least on one occasion.

If you insist, Earl.

You promised to tell me more about your adventures.

I trust you are a man of your word.

I'm more interested in new adventures.

Starting with this one.

Earl, I already told you last night.

I'm a married woman.

And so then I ran into battle, sword drawn,

killed at least a half dozen Yanks,

and the rest of those cowards retreated.

I assure you there is no greater pleasure

than snatching a blade and joining the game of glory.

Don't you ever fear death?

I don't foresee a Yankee bullet killing me.

Teach me how to use your sword.

It's heavy.

But it's thrilling to handle.

Put your dominant foot forward.

Now...

Like this?

What would you say is the key to winning a sword fight?

I'd say that like chess,

the key to winning any fight is to allow your opponent

to think your moves are random.

You go from looking like a lunatic,

to showing you're a genius.

So you do plan your battles?

To be honest, I paint them.

I find a secluded place,

and my brush is my sword.

It allows me to rehearse every minor detail before we commence.

A painter?

Earl Van Dorn.

I must admit,

a fighter, I can resist.

But a visionary?

Well, you might just

have me wanting to surrender.

Still no news on Coburn's whereabouts.

Your men will get the intel we need.

Have faith.

Trust them.

What's concerning you, General?

Neil, I always respected your ability

in past campaigns to act fast.

To be decisive.

What are you implying?

General, can I get you anything?

Tea, coffee?

Major Kimmel tells me you're being shown around town.

Well, nobody knows it better than I?

No, Anna, thank you. We're fine.

You know, I would love it if you'd run some errands for us.

Why don't we talk outside?

I understand you got a weakness for the ladies.

Every day this goes on is the day close to us

losing this war.

Are you questioning my orders?

We have to act now.

You will watch your tone,

and speak to me as your commanding officer.

Do not question my orders again!

I apologize for my insubordination,

General Van Dorn.

Dismissed.

Sir, Miss Peters is here to see you

about the cooked venison for the soldiers.

Mrs. Peters, of course.

Yes, come right in.

Oh, Earl.

I have some bad news.

I received word that my husband is going to be home tonight.

I really wanted us to have a proper bed to sleep in

but it appears that's gonna have to wait.

How long is he going to be home?

Three days, maybe more.

But I have a plan so that you'll know

when I'm available for your company.

I'll light a candle and put it in my window.

You can see it from here.

Well, it will feel like an eternity till then.

Watch for the candle, my love.

Hyah!

Just when I thought you couldn't look any more beautiful,

you wear that dress.

Why, General,

you have me blushing.

General, good to have you in the game.

It's through here, General.

We've seen him about an hour ago.

Coburn.

Ho!

Found Coburn, fixing to attack Jackson.

-Direction? -North from Franklin.

There'll be at Thompson Station by first light.

Ready the men, inform Jackson we're coming.

Understood.

Sir, I understand the pressures

that a great man must endure.

Let down your guard.

I know how to please,

if allowed.

Tell me, General.

Don't you feel what I feel?

Thank you, Anna.

That will be all for the night.

I'll be here.

Waiting for you.

March wide around Coburn's flank,

then take position, blocking his line of retreat.

We shall ascend from all sides,

you and your men, this way.

For the Bonnie Blue

and Tennessee,

defend your homes,

defend your families,

fight for your futures.

They're going to keep coming back

until we leave a bad enough mark.

Godspeed, Generals.

For Dixie.

My men, on me now.

Ready!

Aim!

Fire!

Van Dorn...

What's your name, Lieutenant?

Laymond, sir. I'm sorry.

Don’t speak, don’t speak.

Your thoughts need to go to your family.

Are you married? Do you have children?

A son.

He was a year old when I enlisted.

What's his name?

Earl, sir.

His name is Earl.

Get out of Dixie, you coward!

I have never seen a man so scared as Coburn

while you were chasing him, Van Dorn.

And I ain't never seen those damn Yankees run so fast

to General Forrest for protection.

A sight to behold.

And may we behold it,

again and again and again.

The best military strategist

I've ever seen on the battlefield.

General Van Dorn!

Van Dorn!

Hear ye, hear ye, you faithful rebels.

To a brave officer whose commitment to the cause

is strong and whose dedication to his men unwavering.

It is my high honor

to have him by my side as we fight the Yankees.

To General William Hicks Jackson.

Red! Red! Red!

I have fought victoriously all over our great land,

and I can tell you there is no finer warrior

than the man who stands before me.

To General Nathan Bedford Forrest.

Forrest!

May his name

never be slandered.

General Earl Van Dorn.

May he live long and serve Dixie.

To Dixie!

I'm taking command of this ship.

Both of your ships, actually.

This is an act of war.

On the contrary, Captain, keep your gun.

There's no need for bloodshed.

We're all Americans here.

What is it, my love?

Hey, what is it?

It's nothing. It's just a nightmare.

Again?

Please tell me what's going on inside that head of yours.

As lovers,

it's only right that I know.

I took their boats.

Their boats?

Is this why they call you a pirate?

Before this all started, near Galveston,

I requisitioned two Union ships.

I told the crew they could keep their guns.

All I asked them to do was to sign an oath.

They wouldn't take up arms against their fellow Americans.

All the captain's men agreed.

Back then, I never thought

I could...

kill one of my own countrymen.

No guns were fired,

no blood was shed.

We had achieved peace.

So...

you never did want this war.

You tried to stop it.

I did, Jesse.

With all my might.

We're losing this war.

The public demands peace now,

and the rebel soldier needs no motivation to defend his home.

-And yet ours is... -You brought us here

to discuss Tennessee, General, the recent disruptions?

Disruptions?

They run circles around us.

Forrest and Van Dorn.

The only man who bested you in this whole campaign.

I know the record, Major.

He is a loose cannon, sir, but effective.

Tell me something of Van Dorn.

Our men see him as a force of nature.

Oh, he has his flaw, sir.

For some, it's drink.

For this man, it's the fairer sex.

A womanizer.

It's not a soldier's weakness.

Perhaps we could exploit it, sir.

What are you suggesting?

Stansted.

-At your service. -You bring me this man?

Enter at your own risk.

Whatever is it, Manning?

Sir, I need to bring up a concern.

It's regarding Jesse Peters.

Tongues wag faster here than anywhere else, sir.

And your liaisons are

becoming the chatter of the town.

As your head of security, and more importantly,

as your closest friend,

I fear this affair may cause you trouble.

Have a seat.

Thank you, sir.

Let's not concern ourselves with insults

that come across our bow

from bored tell tales and gossip mongers.

We have enough to be burdened with.

I appreciate your concern, Manning,

but there is nothing to worry about.

I looked into her, sir.

She's fond of highfalutin social life,

parties and balls, and such, and she...

Her husband does not.

There's every indication that she is a man trap.

I find Miss Jesse to be witty,

intelligent,

and an excellent conversationalist.

And that smile of hers is not something

I plan to relinquish, ever.

This is staining your reputation, sir.

As a corsair? A pirate?

A serial philanderer?

What's left to stain?

I've watched you try to spark fair Anna.

I've seen how that's gone for you.

Ask yourself, are you here

out of concern or envy?

I'm envious, sir.

I admit that.

But that does not invalidate my point.

Well, point taken.

Thank you again, Manning, for your concern.

But I will decide who I see and who I don't.

Are we clear?

Of course, sir.

Dismissed.

Sir.

We'll take my carriage down to Alabama Beach.

Mm-hmm.

We'll watch the sun rise,

and then after it goes down,

we'll drink the darkest wine you've ever seen,

and the sweetest you've ever tasted.

And then we'll make love until the sun comes back up.

Well, I want all of that with you.

And more.

But I hear there's a war going on?

Hey.

Why are you being so distant, my love?

Is it something I said?

Received this morning.

I receive letters like this almost every day.

May I?

Mothers and wives watching their young sons gunned down,

witnessing their homes burn,

their towns overtaken by Northern forces.

All they can do is write to me,

begging me to help them.

You can't save them all.

I know.

But I must try as if I can.

Ho! Ho!

Stay back. I'm armed, I say.

Dr. George Peters?

Perhaps. Who asks?

Fellow friend of the south.

I'm afraid to have troubling news.

It seems a General Van Dorn

may have corrupted your wife.

That's nonsense.

My wife's a loyal woman.

Good night, sir.

Eye witnesses say otherwise.

I liked you better when I thought you were a looter.

Powerful people in Richmond would like him removed,

perhaps by an aggrieved husband

restoring his honor.

First you insult my wife.

Now you insult myself.

You would be well compensated.

A bribe to betray my country.

A reward,

with the thanks of a grateful nation.

Ha!

Ha! Let's go.

And the only reason being they don't drop Van Dorn

for the drinking, it's because he keeps

beating them damn Yankees over and over.

Oh, but he's been sober a lot more these days.

What with him needing to be accurate with the hand.

My cousin said he saw him

groping Miss Jesse's ass

twice in public,

and that was just Tuesday morning.

Yeah, and like the Yankee,

she sure likes to be surrendering by him.

George!

Whew, you frightened me.

Did I?

You sure did.

I wasn't expecting you home this soon.

Who were you expecting,

my sweet, loyal spouse?

George, don't be silly.

You must be tired from the road.

Come now, I'll make us a nice supper,

and we can eat together, just you and me, okay?

You're drunk, George.

I...

am Dr. George Boddie Peters.

I am a respected man,

and I will not be made a scoff of this town

because of you.

You made an oath to me.

You made an oath to our preacher,

and you made an oath to our Lord.

You are mine, Jesse Peters!

You are mine and all mine,

until death do us part.

And I forbid you to leave this house,

and I forbid you to see that damn man.

That man, that damn Van Dorn!

Van Dorn! Van Dorn!

He is working for the devil.

He's working for the devil, I tell you.

What did you do, Jesse?

What did you do?

General Forrest, where are the supplies

you captured in battle?

Either you misstated your numbers,

or you need to turn them over.

I do as I always do, sir.

I used the supplies to re-outfit my troops.

I promised some of those supplies to Bragg,

and he's requested them.

We both know Bragg's a coward. If he were even part of a man,

I'd slap his jaw and force him to regret it.

As it is, I've given up my own means,

even taking from my very own pocket for Dixie.

That doesn't change anything.

Sir, our men deserve those supplies after fighting

so valiantly for us, and for the cause.

That's the short of it, and I think you agree.

That'll be all, General.

I got preparation for our next battle to attend to.

No, that will not be all, General.

You were not dismissed.

I've been informed of an article

written by a member of your staff

in which the honors of Thompson Station

were taken for yourself.

Nonsense.

I know nothing of these articles you speak of.

How dare you question me?

I'll personally run this here pig sticker through

any slanderer if you could produce his name

and proof of this falsehood.

Now is as good a time as any

to settle our differences.

General Van Dorn,

you know I ain't afraid of you one on one.

And I not of you.

However, it would simply not do

to have two officers of our rank

or our caliber fighting one another.

That it would do no good for the cause at all.

That is a caliber we must maintain.

I apologize for such expression.

We got more than enough enemies to be killing, General...

Before we go fighting friends.

George, you're leaving?

This late at night?

It's important.

Legislative work.

Governor's called me out to deal with a committee.

Well, how long are you going to be gone for?

Week, maybe longer.

Takes time to clean up the damages

the likes of a Van Dorn can create.

And you expect me to stay here, alone?

-Yes. -Until you get home?

-Yes, I do... -Like usual.

It is your sacred marital duty.

I never thought you'd get here.

Please, don't waste any more time.

Jesse!

You unfaithful whore.

Do you have any idea what they'll do to you

if you shoot a general?

Van Dorn, you womanizing son of a bitch.

George, please, I...

-Put the gun down. -Please.

You don't want to be hung as a murderer, or a traitor.

Traitor?

That's a fine comment coming from a scoundrel like you.

Now, if I ever see you near my wife again,

I'd be happy to be hung

as your murderer and let God be my judge.

Now, you get the hell out of this house

and you stay away from my wife.

Get moving before I change my mind.

You have defiled our bed,

and ruined the sanctity of our marriage.

George...

I'm so sorry.

This will never happen again.

-You're sorry? -Huh?

Sorry for what you did,

or sorry for getting caught?

If you two so much as smile at each other in passing,

or try to find some way to communicate,

whether it's with candles or otherwise,

I will shoot him dead,

and you can meet him next in hell.

General?

General Forrest?

-Sir. -What have you?

It's a letter, from General Van Dorn.

Thank heaven above.

That'll be all, Private.

Well, looks like we're fixing

to be whipping y'all tomorrow.

You blue bellies.

Charge!

Retreat, fall back! Fall back!

Retreat your men, Forrest.

Fall back! Fall back!

Just what the hell was that?

Why'd you tell the men to retreat?

-I had to. -Why?

Because the Union didn't take the bait.

We just handed control of Franklin to the damn Yankees.

We just saved the lives of countless men

who will live to fight again.

We had a plan.

Well, the plan wasn't working.

Ho!

You failed Dixie.

You failed these men, our men.

How dare you question your commanding officer,

and how dare you not refer to me as general.

I'll refer to you as general when you start acting like one.

Your head's been clouded,

full of whiskey and women, I warned you as much,

and now you've cost us a strategic battle.

Do you have the honor to back your words with gunpowder?

Oh, yes, sir, I do.

But you and I shook hands as friends.

Remember?

We made a pact, you and I,

to the betterment of this cause.

Now, are you really going to ruin

this promise of peace between us?

Make note, it is because of my mercy

and my love for my country that you will live.

We will not speak of this again.

Forgive me. I was wrong.

Please consider these men and in our great cause

beyond my careless and insubordination...

General.

Apologies for bothering you after hours, sir,

but you have a letter.

Greetings, General.

I think the beauty of the town

is best seen at sunset.

I suggest you see it for yourself.

Thank you, Manning.

Forrest was certainly fit

to be tied after yesterday's retreat.

He was mad as a blind bull.

Well, that's to be expected.

As we've discussed, he's temperamental,

and headstrong with it.

His dramatics can take their toll on a man.

Forrest has a taste for blood,

and yesterday, he was left hungry.

But when it really matters, he toes the line,

and for that, I'm extremely grateful.

-May I? -Please.

We will retake Franklin, sir.

I'm sure of it.

Yanks got lucky this time.

And what if they didn't?

What if they win, and they win again,

and we lose the war?

I'll be hunted down and executed as a pirate.

You know it, Lincoln himself wanted it.

With your strategic brilliance, sir, we surely cannot lose.

I know it.

Then what if we win the war, and the spectacle ends

and those of us on center stage

take our bow and leave,

and all that's left is the legend of Earl Van Dorn?

Are you suggesting you prefer the war never ends, sir?

Honestly, I haven't wanted the music to end.

It's afforded me the life of a luminary.

But now I find that that's all I'm yearning for.

The problem is

either resolution to this war

makes me the same thing...

a dead man walking.

Then may I suggest a third hypothetical scenario,

a peace treaty is signed,

and with it, your pardon.

You could return home.

Return to your family.

Manning, I appreciate the compassion.

But that's not a realistic option.

Peace,

or returning to your family?

Anna, my dear, if your timing were any sharper,

I would appoint you lead infantry.

General, did you finish that bottle already?

Should I fetch you another?

That would be splendid.

Anything in particular?

Surprise me, my dear.

You know what, I think

Major Kimmel should help me choose.

I think that's an excellent idea.

Manning?

Destroy this for me.

Of course, sir.

How do you not know any wines?

Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot?

You must know Merlot.

I know red and white. That's about it.

Well, then...

What is it?

Red or white?

I believe the general is already drinking red.

White might be too delicate for his palate.

See, you do know something.

Bottoms up.

Pardon?

I'm more of a rum drinker myself.

Is that so?

Well, in that case...

Who says the general gets to have all the fun?

It seems that Van Dorn isn't the only pirate here.

I think I had a bit too much.

I think I ruined my dress.

You should be careful, rum is a very strong drink.

Oh, my, and you're a very strong man, also.

Now, that tastes better than any wine or any rum.

We have a war to win.

Earl!

-Hi. -Hi.

I missed you.

I missed you, too.

Your letter did not lie.

This is indeed the finest view in all of Spring Hill.

It is a heavenly sight to behold.

There is no finer painter than the good Lord himself.

No finer sculptor either.

The last time we were here,

I asked you if you were afraid of dying,

and you said, "not by Union bullet."

That wasn't really an answer.

So are you afraid of death?

I made my peace with the reaper on my first day of battle.

A man has to if he's going to lead from the front.

I guess you've seen more than your fair share of bloodshed.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I don't mean to reopen old wounds.

Recently, a young man died in my arms.

Laymond was his name.

And as he slowly passed, I told him to only think

of his wife and children.

That's beautiful.

But it would be wrong of me

to claim that I would do the same.

And what would you think of?

Do I have any right to call myself a husband and a father,

given what I've left behind?

Earl Van Dorn, you've been a loyal father and husband

to every child and mother here in Dixie

since this war started.

Whoa.

What if this is it?

What if this is the last time we see one another?

Why would it be?

The war, the hearsay.

George has spoken about moving before,

and I fear that if he cannot lock me up,

he'll simply take me away.

Jesse, my love,

we are destined to be together.

If not here, now,

then wherever we may find ourselves in the future.

He threatened to kill you.

I've face many a gun for Dixie.

I'll face a thousand more for you.

And I will always stay with you, regardless of what happens.

I love you, Jesse Peters,

more than I have ever loved anyone else.

I love you too, Earl Van Dorn,

in ways I cannot even express.

Then show me in the way that I adore most.

One smile from the beauty before me.

One simple smile from you

is enough to compensate me for every single one

of my humble achievements,

and the entirety of my glory.

Bedford, it's good to see you.

I have my proposed plan for Franklin,

as you requested.

And I have plans

that might work well with your plans.

What do you make of them?

I'd say these are top rail.

The man who devised this is clearly not distracted.

And I'd say the man who devised these

was never too distracted at all.

We must make haste.

The importance of retaking Franklin cannot be overstated.

Agreed, mend up the troops.

We need as many of them as possible.

I'll study the details and inform you of the plan.

Yes, sir.

You know, I was getting to thinking.

Your retreat the other day,

it was the right thing to do.

I appreciate you acknowledging that, General.

I may be a hard case, but I do not like losing.

And I sure as hell hate

seeing our men die even more.

Sometimes it gets the best of me.

It takes a man who treasures peace

to take a war to its final conclusion.

Together, we can do that.

-General. -General.

Whoa, girl. Whoa.

Evening, Dr. Peters.

Well, good evening, Ms. Anna Daniels.

What news might you have for me?

I saw her come back.

Late last night.

With him.

Van Dorn.

It was definitely him?

Of course it was.

It was in his carriage.

Look, I can prove it.

Son of a bitch...

Well, you have a good evening, sir.

I still think you should take her with you,

whenever you travel or move.

It would be best for everyone.

And the cause.

Yes.

Of course, the cause.

Thank you, Ms. Daniels.

Have yourself a good evening.

But he's a hero.

He's won great victories for us,

for the cause.

And if that cause is led by men of low character,

does it not dishonor us all?

Low character.

And does not a gentleman such as yourself

retain the right to challenge such an affront?

An affront to his honor,

to the sacred bonds of matrimony?

I have been dishonored.

And here is your chance to be redeemed.

Redeemed, man.

General Van Dorn,

we sure weren't expecting any bigwigs today.

How may I help you, sir?

Tell me, are you the young woman

who lofted our flag and waved it for us at Thompson Station?

Yes, sir. That was me.

Alice. Thompson.

It was after that battle and seeing these young boys suffer,

I decided to offer up my services as a nurse.

Well, you are truly as kind as you are brave.

-The cause thanks you. -We're doing our very best

to save as many of our boys as we can, sir.

-May I? -Oh, of course.

General Van Dorn, do my eyes deceive me?

People said you visited your injured men,

but I struggled to believe it till now.

What's your name, son?

It's Private Nathaniels, sir.

Infantry.

You stay strong, my boy.

Don't you give those Yanks another body.

If Dixie's worth fighting for, she's worth living for.

And fighting's what I'll do.

Fighting is not your orders.

Healing and getting well are your orders.

Do you understand, Private?

Yes, sir.

I'm just more eager than ever

to get back out there and face those Yankees again.

What makes a man who's faced death as closely as you

fear it even less the second time around?

It's just what a man with a heart full

passion does, ain't it, General?

He charges headfirst into the unknown,

not because it's a smart thing to do,

but because he knows it's what he's got to do.

Private Nathaniels, I couldn't agree with you more.

Sir, you needed to see me about an urgent matter?

Yes, concerning a bottle of whiskey

that urgently needs to be consumed.

I'd be glad to, sir.

-To Dixie. -Dixie.

Manning, I want to continue a conversation

from the other day that didn't reach resolution.

The one regarding peace, sir?

No, the one regarding

your concerns over Jesse Peters.

During that conversation, I accused you

of suffering from envy,

and you admitted as such.

That is true, sir.

I don't want you to.

You're no lesser man than I, Manning.

Sir, your brilliance

is going to be carved in the history books.

It's not something that can be matched by someone like me.

You are my protege, my boy.

You've learned from my wins and my losses.

You've seen me put my foot right,

and put my foot wrong.

And I want you to know

I am incredibly proud of you.

Thank you, sir.

I don't really know what to say.

Well, sometimes it's best to say nothing at all.

I want you to have this.

I couldn't possibly, sir.

Now, would a lesser man than I carry a sword like that?

I'm honored, sir.

I truly am.

I trust now that all is good with you

in both departments.

Thankful to say, sir.

Temptation has come my way.

I chose the righteous path.

Good.

Because when the right one comes along,

you'll know it in your soul,

and you'll be thankful that you didn't stray.

I have to get back to work now.

Dismissed, Major.

Very good, General.

You a sawbones?

Physician.

I ain't see you at the hospital.

Hence my presence now.

Of course.

Manning?

Guess again.

So it's come to this?

The great military strategist

outmaneuvered at his own desk.

What do you have to say to that, General?

I take full responsibility for the position I'm in.

But you have to admit this is hardly sporting.

Poppycock.

How does it feel to have your threshold violated?

I never brought violence into your home.

I only visited when I was invited.

So you're not going to beg for my mercy again this time?

I'm a strategist.

I don't fight battles I can't win.

But tell me something,

because I just got to know.

Was it all worth it?

Was it all worth it, or was it lust?

Without a doubt,

it was worth it.

For love.

Perhaps one day you'll be lucky enough to feel the same...

Not all fairy tales have a happy ending,

and not all battles are won in a heroic fashion.

Now, ain't that the devil?

A sweetheart killed and a husband ran away

all in the same day?

The crazy thing is,

I knew the second it happened.

I didn't hear that fatal gunshot

or the harrowing screams that followed.

But a soul like Earl's doesn't leave this world

without sending a ripple through it.

This is the legend of Earl Van Dorn...

a man who wanted peace,

but found himself leading the charge for his countryman,

a man who could command a paint brush

across the canvas as well as he could command

the cavalry across the battlefield.

A man loved by his allies and formidable to his enemies.

Just before I kissed Earl,

he told me he didn't foresee

dying from a Yankee bullet.

But I suspect he knew where the sinful arm of vengeance

would eventually come to find him.

That didn't make word of his death

any easier to hear.

Bedford assured me that George

couldn't evade his man,

and would not evade his wrath.

He honored his word.

Good evening, doctor.

This is for my friend.

Have at him, boys.

Make it hurt.

The judge acquitted my vengeful husband of murder,

stating Earl violated the sanctity of his home.

But I know the real judgment he feared

lay in another realm,

where punishment is eternal.

When it came to war and love,

Earl simply couldn't hold himself back.

For him, the risks were always worth the reward.

That made him all in on love and war.

For me, his passing bought me a newfound clarity.

War doesn't just destroy us.

War strips us of our humanity.

But love, only love,

can get us through our darkest days.

And I loved Earl Van Dorn

every day for the rest of my life.

I'm sorry to let myself in, but I thought,

given your condition,

it was best not to make you get up.

Why, it sure is good to see you, Mr. Kimmel.

Ma'am.

I brought some fresh linens, some food.

Thank you.

I sure do appreciate it.

Took me a while, and had to fight hard to get it,

but I wanted to pass on something of Earl's that,

well, I feel it was always intended for you.

Thank you.

♪ The beauty of a sunset sky ♪

♪ Makes me wonder where you are ♪

♪ Just can't let go of you and I ♪

♪ 'Cause it's still raining in my heart ♪

♪ Memories of you still be ♪

♪ Just like candles melting ♪

♪ In the dark ♪

♪ Come home ♪

♪ Come home ♪

♪ I don't know why you left me ♪

♪ All alone ♪

♪ Come home ♪

♪ Pull down the shades ♪

♪ And shut the door ♪

♪ Ain't going in there anymore ♪

♪ Anymore ♪

♪ Haunted by two lovers from the past ♪

♪ Ghosts of dreams ♪

♪ That couldn't last ♪

♪ What might have been and should have been ♪

♪ Our promise is broken ♪

♪ All apart ♪

♪ Raining in my heart ♪

♪ Come home ♪

♪ Come home ♪

♪ I don't know why you left me ♪

♪ All alone ♪

♪ Come home ♪

♪ Come home ♪

♪ Come home ♪

♪ You left this candle burning ♪

♪ All alone ♪