Original subtitles

Once, there was a great war

that tore a young nation apart.

This was not a war against an outside invader,

but a conflict between two sides of the same coin.

The brave souls of the cavalry were often called upon

for particularly dangerous assignments.

This is their story.

Report, Boyle.

I know we lost one.

I think Glover and Parrish were captured.

You think?

Didn't see 'em shot.

No one else did either.

Horses are missing, too.

Yeah, they might have been grabbed.

I hope they can keep their damn mouths shut.

I pull my troops from the jaws of the dragon

and save them from certain slaughter,

and they call me a coward.

I rightfully get upset for being called a coward

and they call me crazy.

You did the right thing, General.

Obviously someone agreed.

You were awarded the promotion.

Makes me think.

They must think I have acquired some knowledge.

Wisdom is never acquired easily.

Our tactics are gonna have to change, Peabody.

We keep making decisions and we stick by them,

regardless of the consequences.

Regardless.

What's your name, soldier?

Trooper Parrish.

Second South Carolina Cavalry.

Confederate States of America.

That's clever.

Tell you what I'm gonna do.

I'll give you 10 seconds to tell me what I wanna know,

and if you don't tell me what I wanna know,

I'm gonna shoot you.

Trooper Parrish.

Second South Carolina Cavalry.

Confederate States of America.

10, nine, eight...

Seven, six, five.

Four.

Three.

Shoot him.

Long night, Miss Olivia.

Yes, it was, Henry.

Any longer, I'd forget what daylight looked like.

If you don't mind, how about lookin' after the men

and let me go in here and clean up a little bit.

All right, now.

Hold on there.

Doctor, doctor!

I need to see the Captain.

Who's he with?

I'll get a courier.

You must be Captain Chessman.

Yes, ma'am.

One of your soldiers is inside.

Insists on speaking to you.

We're lucky to have him with us, Captain.

He's lost a lot of blood.

Can I see him?

Well, you can try.

I've given him the last of the laudanum.

Hey, Captain.

I can come back if you want me to.

No.

I need to tell you.

Glover's dead.

What happened?

We got caught, during the fight.

Some Yankee captain shot him.

Who?

I think his name was Falstaff.

Falstaff?

He kept asking questions.

You mean to tell me he was shot

after he was taken prisoner?

Mm hm.

He didn't like the answers.

So he shot him.

What happened then?

I ran

and he shot me in the leg.

Probably pretty cowardly.

No.

No, that's not cowardly.

You did what you had to do.

Doc and Miss Olivia'll fix you up, son.

Send you home for a little rest.

No.

As soon as I can ride again, I want back in the troop.

Well, if you want to be back in the troop,

I'll put you back in the troop.

So I hear they're calling what we did yesterday a victory.

Well, we killed more of them than they did of us.

Bunch of Yanks headed back north.

Sounds like good news to me.

Well, I can't argue with that.

So what's next?

Where we goin?

I'll let Boyle fill you in.

This ain't 100%.

Things may change.

I think we're headed north.

How far north?

Kentucky.

Maybe farther.

Think that's a real good idea?

Could end this war quick.

Peyton!

Peyton!

Pey-ton!

Peyton.

Peyton, have you been out here all morning?

Yes, ma'am, just keeping watch.

Well, good.

Your father's letter said he'd be here sometime this week.

Might not be today.

Might not be tomorrow.

I think it'll be today.

Well, that's good.

But you can't be too sure of that.

I'm pretty sure he'll make it to the house today, Mama.

He's right on the other side of the field right now.

Thank you, Mrs. Chessman.

This has been the best darn supper I've had

in a long, long time.

So, Peyton came across a copy of the Augusta Chronicle

about a month ago and it mentioned

a battle you were part of.

We actually got reporters following us around now.

Reporters?

They're in the fight with you?

They ain't that stupid.

They ain't gonna get that close.

When can I join up, Pa?

Well, I need you here, boy

to look after your mother and the farm.

I hear about it and I read about it.

I don't know a lot, but,

I do wanna fight.

He wants to be just like his daddy, R.L.

I know.

But if something happened to you, Peyton,

our family name would...

It's hard enough on me with you out there, R.L.

But with the two of you out there fighting,

I'd just go crazy.

Well, we can't have that.

Fact is, you're too young, Peyton.

He ain't goin' in right now.

I promise you that.

- Uncle Phil. - Damien!

What a surprise.

So glad to see you back.

- Come on in. - Thank you.

Have a seat, Damien.

Tell me how you been doin'

and how things are going out there.

Things are pretty well.

Supply chain's hard to keep up.

It's time-consuming for the troops.

As you know I'm an old railroad man from way back.

Around here we call it the supply train.

Uncle Phil, I'll tell ya,

I wish we had more of your locomotives to work with.

Ah, all in good time, all in good time.

Have you been back to the old family homestead?

Yes, sir.

Surprisingly enough, I get back there from time to time.

Well that's good to hear.

I hope Aunt Minnie's lumbago is doin' better.

Where you off to next?

Maryland, Pennsylvania.

Big movement up from Richmond,

and you know we go where the action is.

What's your prediction?

How long is this war gonna last?

Well, three, six months at the most.

- Really? - Yes, sir.

So you're thinkin' everybody's gonna be home

by Christmastime.

Lord willing, we'll all be home by Christmas.

Well hey, R.L.

Fancy meeting you way up here.

Hell of a long ride.

I sure hope them higher-ups

know what the hell they're talking about.

I wouldn't count on that.

If this thing works,

the whole war could be over before you know it.

I wouldn't count on that either.

Only thing I count on is ol' Walker, here.

Y'all have a good day.

Take care, R.L.

Don't give us too much work later!

That sounds like a retreat.

Doc, we gotta get our boys outta here.

Your hospital here is behind enemy lines.

They gotta go now or they'll wind up as prisoners.

Some of these men will die if they're moved.

Then we gotta move them that can be moved, right now.

Captain Falstaff, Second Indiana Cavalry.

This supposed to be some kind of hospital?

Something like that.

What's inside?

Two badly wounded boys.

I take it they're not from my side

- of the Mason Dixon Line. - That's right.

They can't be moved.

My boys need a bed,

they'll be moving okay.

Where you folks from, anyway?

Augusta, Georgia.

That's a shame.

How 'bout you, Miss?

Right down the road.

I went to school in Philadelphia.

Really?

See, I like you already.

That doesn't mean that I won't shoot you

if you hesitate once to give any of my boys care.

Are we clear?

- Clear as a bugle. - Good.

I want eyes on them Yankees over there.

You don't let them come up behind us now, you understand?

My, my, is that retreat I hear?

Regrouping, not retreating.

And I need you to shut your mouth!

These boys have gotta be moved,

and they gotta be moved now!

Captain, you have to give us time to finish...

No time!

Right now!

Captain, if we move this boy, he'll die.

Then he dies.

Better dead than a rebel prisoner.

Now let's go!

Hey, R.L.

What the hell is going on here?

Nobody knows anything, Doc.

Are we leaving?

I think we are, yeah.

I think we're pulling back.

But the Federals just retreated.

They retreated 25 times.

Hell, we retreated 25 times.

Well for what it's worth, I'd much rather go home

than spend time in prison.

I mean, if it's at all possible.

Looks like you been keeping some

of the Federal boys happy too, huh?

It was under duress, believe me.

A Federal officer told us he'd shoot us

if we didn't work on his men.

It was Captain Falstaff.

An officer, definitely not a gentleman.

That's what I understand.

Are you familiar with him?

Yeah.

Damn cavalry captain.

Worthless in my book.

Well, I'm gonna go water the horses

and head back into it, I reckon.

Another patch of dirt to conquer, eh?

You know the game.

Corporal, was that you playing last night?

- Yes, sir. - Thank you.

I appreciate that.

It helped me sleep, for once.

Colonel.

- Evenin'. - Evenin'.

What've we got today?

I was just over at the hospital

checking on some of our wounded.

Going over the latest scouting reports

and our reports on our men, including the sick,

the wounded, and the ones who have been arrested.

Speaking of arrested,

where's that nephew of mine, Lieutenant?

Well, sir, we called officers' call 10 minutes ago.

Has yet to arrive.

That boy's been a thorn in my side

ever since he came here.

I might get tired of him.

I know I made my sister a promise

that I'd keep him alive but.

Speaking of thorn in my side, where have you been?

Sir!

Keeping up with the troops, sir.

Keeping up with the troops.

I can imagine which troops you were keeping up with.

Which ones and which body house were you into this time?

- Thank you, sir. - Yeah, okay.

All right, what are we looking at here?

Sir, we're looking at the latest...

Pay attention to this.

The latest reconnaissance of our scouts.

To our direct east we have General Sherman and his army.

We are located here.

We have no enforcements in the middle

and the swamp area to our north, we have nobody there.

About three miles from our position, we have a river.

On the other side of that river in the woods,

there's actually two brigades, one to our northwest.

There's two full regiments of cavalry and infantry,

one full cavalry in the middle,

and to our northeast we have one full cavalry

and one full regiment of infantry.

Right.

Okay, any idea who we we're gonna be goin' up against?

Sir, the latest report Chessman.

- Chessman? - Yes, sir.

Oh, great.

And that lunatic sergeant major he's got.

- Still there, sir. - He's still with him?

Still there.

Oh, that's just what I need.

Warn the men.

Do not get over-confident with these people.

I fought with these individuals in Mexico.

I know these Rebels can fight.

They'll fight like a wildcat.

And if you make a mistake,

they will shove it down your throat for you.

They will kill you and laugh while you bleed to death.

Yes, sir, I'll warn the men.

Speaking of mistakes,

where did you get that red vest at?

I got this when I was in Nashville last.

That is not a military vest.

Put one on.

You're part of this United States army.

You will look like it.

Whether you act like it or not, you will still look like it.

Try to put up some kind of masquerade as a,

as a respectable officer, please.

Yes, sir!

Try not to embarrass us all.

By the way, I want you to go see the doc.

Am I sick, sir?

Yes, you're sick.

He's gonna wean you off that John Barleycorn.

You've been swillin' that stuff ever since I've known you,

ever since you've come out here.

You're gonna get cured off this stuff.

Go.

Yes, sir.

Dib, was there somethin' about?

I said go!

Yes, sir, I was wondering,

- about to head off. - Get a proper hat on.

Go see the doc, and go, now!

Yes, sir!

- May I borrow your hat? - No you may not.

Well, I'll take mine.

I promised your, I promised my sister, your mother,

I would take care of you

and I would not let the Rebels kill you.

I didn't make a single promise

that I wouldn't do it myself.

- Now go. - Yes, sir!

Go.

That boy been a thorn in my side

- ever since he came out here. - I understand, sir.

Vengeance is mine, thus saith the Lord.

Thus saith the Lord, indeed.

How 'bout me?

- Vengeance is mine. - Get off of me.

- You're hurting me. - Stop your whining!

I've had enough.

Stand up when there's an officer in your camp!

My goodness.

This is the worst lookin' bunch

of military men I've ever seen in my entire life.

What in the world are you, boy?

Friends call you Smiley, huh?

Smiley!

Look at that phony lookin' hat.

Get that off, boy.

You don't look military to me at all.

You!

What in the world are you, boy?

Must be the religious type, huh?

This your little cross?

Get out of my face before I have you arrested

for bribing an officer!

Bribing for what?

What are you talking about, boy?

You see he's trying to offer me gifts!

What in the world are you, old man?

And what is that?

- It's a dog! - A what?

- A dog! - This is a military camp!

We should not have dogs in camp!

I'll show you how we take care of that little problem.

- Come here puppy dog. - Don't you dare!

I sure will, ma'am!

- This is a military camp. - He didn't do anything!

- And I will make sure... - Stop it!

That somebody is gonna pay for it.

Get off him!

By god, I'm gonna shoot something

- in this house around here! - Leave him alone!

Get off of me!

- Captain! - Hold that dog!

What are you doing?

I'm keeping up with the men, sir?

You have been relieved of your duty as of yesterday.

Since when?

Yesterday morning.

By whose authority?

Your colonel.

My uncle?

Your colonel.

My colonel, indeed.

He brought me here to be in this stupid military.

He's not my daddy.

He is your colonel, he is your superior officer.

He will send you home.

Yeah, you think!

Give me some of that!

Come on!

I might just lay here for a while and relax.

That is the best decision you've ever made.

Ah, maybe so.

Good night.

- Ma'am, are you all right? - I think so.

Come on, let me help you up.

I think it's time for you to leave.

Ma'am, yes, please take the dog with you.

Okay.

This is no chance for a military camp for you either.

Come on.

Colonel!

I need to talk to you, sir.

Yeah, what?

Sir, I wanna let you know

that your nephew and I had a brawl.

Had to lay him out, sir.

He came into camp drunk, struck a woman,

about shot a dog, hit me.

I had to knock him out, sir.

Shoulda killed the idiot.

I swear, I've had enough.

I've had it!

I've got enough on my mind, too much right now.

I'm sick and tired of dealing with him.

He is your responsibility.

He's your subordinate officer.

You take care of him.

Yes, sir.

He's actually up against a tree, just laid out cold.

He'll probably wind up gettin' up

and runnin' around, shootin' somebody.

He's still got a gun?

No.

He still has his pistol, sir.

But I have the cylinder.

He won't be able to shoot anybody in his state.

Good, good.

Like I said, Captain, he's your responsibility now.

You take care of him.

You do whatever you have to.

I don't wanna hear about it any more.

You sure this is a good idea?

This is meant to be officers only.

I'm gonna dance with a pretty woman before I leave here.

That's all there is to it.

Evenin', ma'am.

Captain?

Good evenin' gentlemen.

What brings y'all out this way?

Don't mean no disrespect, Captain.

We heard there was a dance

and we thought we'd come along and see for ourselves.

This dance is for officers only.

That don't seem quite fair.

How do you figure that?

Well I don't know, you tell me.

Are they gonna have a dance somewhere else

for soldiers that don't happen to be officers?

I reckon not.

Lieutenant Boyle, rules and regulations.

Gentlemen, listen up.

If you cannot waltz gracefully,

do not attempt to waltz at all.

If a lady refuses to dance with you,

bear the refusal with grace.

No profanity, no stomping of the feet.

No smoking of tobacco and no spitting on the floor.

Gentlemen, choose your partners.

I'm certain they're rude.

Mrs. Morgan, ladies, these rude men

are the only reason your respectable household

hasn't been burned to the ground.

These rude men left their own homes and families

to protect us from invasion.

They've been hungry, thirsty, sick,

tired, wounded, and lonely, and they just want to enjoy

a little music and dance.

General Sherman was hopping mad the other day.

It seems we lost an entire supply train.

Lost?

More of a robbery, actually.

Well, the train wasn't as well guarded

as our munitions trains.

What did the thieves acquire?

Boots and saddles, primarily.

Mm.

Wonder if it was Wheeler's men?

What happened to the train?

Stranded.

The tracks before and behind were destroyed.

Clever.

I suppose.

Just more work for me.

Tell me, Parker, no one has approached you with the prospect

of buying an entire trainload

of boots and saddles, have they?

Not recently.

Mr. Parker, I imagine you have a lot of dealings

in and around Atlanta?

It is my base of operations at the moment.

Well, if you happen to run shy of goods to trade,

I suppose we could exchange information.

Mr. Quartermaster,

you're sounding more and more like a spy.

Nothing of the sorts.

That is not the case.

Well that's good,

because a man in my position who cannot keep secrets

will not be a man in my position for long.

Understood.

But because you have been of service to me a the general,

I have some information for you.

All right.

I'm afraid it comes in the form of a warning.

Oh dear.

You may want to relocate any operations you have

from Atlanta.

I see.

Would it be too much to ask for an estimated time frame?

Atlanta will be completely under Federal control

by Christmas.

Christmas?

- Of this year? - Yes.

Mr. Peabody, I'm afraid you underestimate the resolve

of this Confederacy.

Maybe.

But this information has been provided to you

because you have shown yourself to be valuable to our cause.

Take it or not.

The choice is yours.

Captain Chessman?

That's me.

Sir, I have a message directly from General Wheeler.

Yeah.

You can tell him there's no need for reinforcements.

The Federals just pulled up and left.

I imagine they just plum tired out too.

Sir, he's looking for your troops,

to reinforce the cavalry at Rasaca.

That's not possible soldier.

Rasaca's a six hour ride, a six hour hard ride,

and that's if we don't stop and rest.

Shit!

Shit, shit!

My boys need a break!

Is that what you want me to tell him?

No one gets any sleep any more.

No one.

I'm just a messenger, sir, I understand.

Hold up.

Men, General Wheeler needs us north of Atlanta.

The man here says it's critical.

This means an all night ride, fellas.

Then we jump right into the fight.

This is above and beyond the call of duty.

Any of you think you can't make it, then don't go.

There ain't nobody gonna think any less of you.

Me, for one, I'm going.

I'll go.

I guess I have to die with you.

I'm with you, Captain.

I'm in.

Time to saddle up, boy.

I think you got your answer.

Boots and saddles, boys.

Man up.

Lordy, Captain.

Most tired I ever been.

What's that glowing in the west there, Captain?

Looks like the sun forgot to set.

That's Atlanta.

I imagine they're burning it.

Shouldn't we move in?

Try to help 'em?

We ain't gods, Parrish.

We just flesh and blood.

There's only so much we can do.

You seem distracted, Mr. Parker.

I have a lot on my mind, Mr. Peabody.

I will not apologize for the fact

that the war has turned in our favor.

I don't care about that.

Your forces destroyed, burned, completely obliterated

the entire warehouse district of Atlanta!

You were given ample warning earlier this year.

My primary warehouse was located

in the center of that district!

The goods in that warehouse had already been purchased

and I had already accepted payment.

What were the goods in question, Mr. Parker?

A trainload of?

Boots and saddles.

Correct.

I trust this will not interfere with our dealings?

Nothing gets in the way of business.

Not this war, not the next war,

nor the war after that.

Very good.

I have a list.

I will do whatever I can for you.

Whoa.

Not a good idea.

Good job.

You kept him from shooting me in the back

but I seen he doesn't have a cylinder in that pistol.

Drop it, drop it.

And the cup.

What unit are you with?

With the cavalry, sir.

Wrong answer.

The only reason that I don't put one

right through your head, two reasons,

one because my man is standing behind you

and I don't want your brains on him.

The other one is I don't want the rest of your unit

down upon my men.

Now you're gonna march yourself outta here right now,

on foot.

You're gonna leave me without a horse?

We gonna eat him.

Ah, ah, ah, ah.

Start walking, that way, right now.

Keep walking.

Real slow.

You gonna eat my horse,

I'm gonna cut you up.

Come on, Duke, kill the Yankee.

Come on, come on.

Kill the Yank.

Get him.

My dearest companion.

I sit myself to write a few lines

and to tell you our health and the happenings of our home.

I have sad news.

Our nephew William has departed this life.

I've consoled my sister with the blessings

of a Christian's assurance,

that all things work together for the good of His people.

She is inconsolable, I fear, and has requested

that I impress upon you once more

the importance of protecting and keeping from harm

her eldest son.

Typhoid fever remains rampant in the Negroes,

and I fear that your precious child

will succumb to the dreaded disease as well.

But I will protect her as I am able.

I have no other news to speak of.

We pray hourly for your safety

and that you will return to us.

I remind you once more of your faithful promise to do so.

Always, your loving wife.

I'll try.

I try.

Rachel?

Is that you?

No, it can't be.

No.

He wouldn't listen to me.

I told him.

I tried.

You promised.

You promised.

You promised.

You promised.

Listen, I tried to keep an eye on you.

I tried to protect you.

You promised.

You promised.

You promised.

You promised.

You promised.

You promised.

You promised.

You promised.

You promised.

- You promised. - You fool!

Why didn't you listen to me?

- Colonel? - What?

It's just me, sir.

You're having one of your nightmares.

Are you okay, sir?

This is one of the worst ones you've had in a while, sir.

I don't know

how much longer I can deal with this.

Sir, why don't you tell me about your nightmare this time?

You never wanna talk about it.

It's about that idiot nephew of mine.

He got killed.

Sir, don't you remember?

More than 24 hours ago he was ambushed

and he was killed, sir.

He wouldn't listen.

I did the best I could, sir.

I know you did, I know you did.

This war is just one big nightmare, that's all it is.

Just one nightmare after another.

It finally dawned on my the other day.

I was down there at the hospital.

Saw the dead lined up.

They're all boys.

Boys, children.

That's when it dawned on me, that's when it made sense

what this whole stupid thing is about.

Let's see how many children we can kill.

We kill theirs, they kill ours.

You know, a couple of women get involved,

a couple of mothers, then oh well,

- they get killed, too. - Sir?

It's not your fault.

Yeah it is my fault.

- No, sir, it's not. - I took part in this.

I'm like everybody else that took part in this.

You know, I had an old Irish sergeant tell me one time

that the first time he heard that Rebel yell,

it sounded like the banshees coming

to take our souls to hell for what we're doing

to our fellow man.

And you know, he was right?

He was right, 'cause we're all going to hell over this.

You think God approves of what we're doing?

Killing, slaughtering each other like animals.

No.

We're all going, it's just some of us

are already part of the way there.

All we have to do is finish the journey.

Well, Damien, I appreciate you taking the time

to come pay me a visit.

Hm.

You look tired, Damien.

Are you okay?

I can't remember a time when I wasn't tired.

Takes a toll on a person after a while.

So what do you think?

How much longer do you think it's gonna be

before this disastrous conflict comes to an end?

There's a lot left to be done,

let alone end this war.

So what do you mean by that?

We need to wash things clean.

You think so?

Seems to me this has been wrapping itself up

fairly quickly on its own.

You wanna see that happen, Uncle Phillip?

Do you really wanna see that happen?

Of course I do.

I've invested all of my time, resources,

finances, essentially my whole life

in keeping this railroad going.

All the destruction, the rails,

the rail cars, the depots, the stations,

all that's gonna have to be rebuilt.

And I can see a lot of money in this reconstruction.

That's the only way you see it?

Dollars and cents?

Well, Damien, like I said, I'm a businessman

and I like to recognize opportunities

as soon as they arise, and this is an opportunity.

Well just what is it you'd like to see happen

since you asked me the same thing?

Extermination.

What do you mean by that?

Kill them all.

Kill every single one of 'em, start from scratch.

Every single one?

You mean, you're counting the children,

the women, as well as all the men?

Sessesh women and children,

they don't count.

Well, Damien,

I'm afraid you won't be getting any endorsement from me.

And why is that?

I've got to rebuild this railroad.

It's gonna take a lot of manpower.

We've got soldiers coming back from the war

that are gonna be looking for work.

I'm gonna be counting on that workforce

to rebuild this railroad.

And if you kill all of 'em,

how do you expect me to accomplish that?

I just wish we had a weapon.

A weapon so big it could destroy an entire town

with one blast.

It'd be a thing of beauty.

Well, Damien, I'm afraid this war has robbed you

of an awful lot.

I think it's robbed you of your humanity,

and I think what's even more important,

it's robbed you of what's in here.

Sergeant Major, this is the area that it happened in.

How do you know that, tracker?

I knew where they were headed.

Yeah.

This is where it happened.

Where is he?

There he is.

Get him water, quick.

Get him outta there.

- Is he alive? - Yup.

Cut him out of there.

Get him some water.

Damn Yankees, they left me to die.

They got the captain.

They got Chessman.

He is the Rebel captain, sir,

that was captured outside of Hampton.

He doesn't look like a captain to me.

What's your rank, Reb?

Captain R.L. Chessman,

Hampton Legions, Beaufort Brigade.

Was he alone when he was captured?

Yes, sir, and he was heading somewhere very quickly.

So you were outside of town on your own,

wearing an enlisted man's uniform,

knowing we had arrived?

What was your mission?

Captain R.L. Chessman,

Hampton Legions, Beaufort Brigade.

Bullshit!

I am very familiar with the prison you have down here

called Andersonville;

a vile institution that has tortured

and starved our boys for years.

You look at me when I talk to you, boy!

We have a prison at least as foul as Andersonville,

if I send you there, you will not come back.

If you have a family down here, you will not see them again!

Do you understand me?

- Send this man to hell. - Yes, sir.

This way.

- Captain, a word? - Yes, private.

It seems Captain Chessman has been captured, sir.

Thank you.

You may stand at your post.

- Colonel, a word? - Yes?

We just got the report

that Captain Chessman has been captured, sir.

Good, good.

Take a detail, go get him, and bring him here.

- Yes, sir. - Chessman is mine.

- Follow me, private. - He is mine.

'Bout time we finish this thing.

Colonel, I have a gift for you.

Look at me!

Sit!

Sit down, Chessman!

Sit!

Private, take your post.

Captain Chessman, you're coming with us.

You understand me?

You've got a choice.

You can come with us peacefully,

otherwise I'm gonna let 'em put you on that troop train

that's gonna take you off to that hell hole prison camp

where you might make it to Christmas, but I doubt it.

Or you can come with us, behave yourself,

and there's a good chance you may see your home again.

Now what's your choice?

What the hell you think you gonna do?

Take me out and kill me?

Chessman, if I was gonna kill you

I woulda snuck in there.

When they first brought you in here,

I would've cut your throat in your sleep

and nobody woulda been the wiser.

You understand me?

- You can try. - No, I woulda done it.

I woulda done it.

No doubt I woulda done it.

Now, don't think that I'm asking you

to compromise your Southern honor.

You're not helping me.

Do you understand?

I'm just using you as a piece of trade goods.

Well I'll go with you

'cause I just wanna see how it's gonna turn out.

It's gonna turn out one way or the other,

and it's gonna be finished.

- You understand? - We'll see.

Captain, take him and get him a mount

and give us about three days provision.

Yes, sir.

- Private? - Yes, sir?

You remember what the colonel just told you?

Yes, sir.

What you saw, heard, and seen,

never happened.

You did not see anything.

Get up!

I said get up, Chessman!

Chessman, what did I tell you?

Let's go, private.

Finally gonna finish this thing,

one way or the other.

What's on your mind?

I want a parley.

You unarmed?

I'm one-armed.

Well I'm unarmed.

What's this about?

Colonel wants to discuss some terms with you.

I'm sure he would.

I see he's got my Captain Chessman.

The Captain has switched officers' coats

and put on a first sergeant's blouse

to hide his true rank as captain.

So let's see what this colonel of yours has to say.

Well I will go back and bring the colonel up here.

If he's got the cajones, tell him to come on back

and talk to this sergeant major.

I'll do that, Sergeant Major.

Colonel, I have discussed terms of the parley

with that sergeant major.

He is unarmed.

I told him we were unarmed

and will discuss the terms of this prisoner exchange.

Is this yours?

Colonel, what exactly is on your mind?

It's about that young man that you stomped the other day.

That was my nephew and I promised his mama

I'd take care of him.

I watched him come into this world.

I put him astride his first horse.

Then I had to pick him up after you stomped him like a dog.

Colonel, I've never regretted killing any Yankee,

but I'll tell you, I see what it's about now.

It's about a promise to a woman that you couldn't keep.

When I give my word, I keep it!

It doesn't matter who it's to!

Even to you!

I would highly suggest you cut your losses today.

I thought you were unarmed?

Your sergeant asked me if I was unarmed.

You said you was unarmed.

One-armed.

I knew you was a dirty, lyin', no good Reb.

You're gonna take

and you're gonna walk away from here today

and I'm taking Captain Chessman with me.

Turn and walk away now!

Turn around.

Turn around, sir.

I cannot let this go, sergeant, I can not let this go.

I am not lettin' this go.

No, Colonel.

No, Colonel, no Colonel.

Colonel, Colonel!

Colonel!

No, no, no, sir.

No, no, sir.

Finish it.

Finish this.

You get bumped down to sergeant, R.L.?

No.

It's too dangerous to wear bars.

Where's the flag?

Not the best idea right now.

He's inside?

What's his spirit like?

Cloudy.

What?

I beg the General's pardon,

but I need those numbers.

You're gonna need a drink.

We in the right damn place.

How many, General?

We need to know.

Best reports say 50,000 troops.

Maybe more.

You wanted to know.

But they all out west of the Savannah River, correct?

At the moment these are well-equipped troops.

Captain Chessman, they have pontoons.

They have everything they need.

My guess is they'll all be in South Carolina

by the end of the week.

I'd like to see my family, if there's enough time.

If you haul ass there and back.

Keep in mind there are Federal scouts everywhere.

They could be at your place,

tomorrow.

They could be at your place tonight.

Whatever you do, do not let down your guard.

Yes, sir.

How long are you here for?

I gotta go back in the morning.

Where's Peyton?

He's in town.

What town?

- Hampton. - Hampton?

I was just through there.

I saw your daddy.

Why is Peyton there?

He's looking to join up.

There's nothing I can do to stop him.

I'll stop him.

He thought you'd be so proud of him.

I would be, but that's not the point.

We're gonna have to work this out.

So, Peyton, how'd things go in Hampton today?

I didn't sign up yet if that's what you mean.

You know that's what I mean.

He wanted to talk to you about it first.

I figured I'd

try to get a hold of you before I signed the paper.

Peyton, why do you wanna join up?

Well, they need every able-bodied man.

Yeah, I'm aware of why they need every able-bodied man.

Dying is so easy out there, Peyton.

You don't get to stop, back up, or think about it.

A bullet hits you, bam, you gone, just like that.

R.L., wasn't that the same when you went in?

Things were different back then.

We thought we could win.

So, you don't think we can win?

We ain't going out without a hell of a fight, boy.

You been ridin' your horse?

Yes, sir.

I used to do the same thing when I was your...

R.L., are you okay?

R.L., are you all right?

I can't let you do it, boy?

What do you mean, Pa?

I can't let you join up, son.

But, he's been doing everything...

No!

Y'all need to listen to what I have to say!

Listen to what I have to say!

You see this?

This is what I have to wear out there!

What's the rank?

Sergeant?

That's right.

That's what I have to wear out there!

I thought you were a captain?

I am a captain!

I can't even wear my own damn uniform

out in that field!

If they see my rank, I'm a dead man!

This ain't fair.

It's not about what's fair, boy.

It's about livin' or dyin',

and there's been far too many dyin'.

Far too many.

Look at all of 'em.

We gotta go warn the lieutenant.

Henry, they're raiding the nursery.

Look at who they're putting in the front line.

Afternoon, soldier.

Ma'am, sir.

What's your name, son?

Joshua.

How old are you, Joshua?

I'm 16.

How old are you, really?

I joined up fair and square.

They had me sign my name.

Captain Chessman,

I'd like to file an official letter of protest.

Protest?

Protest for what?

Doc Alden and I just spoke to a young boy

who was allowed to join up.

This boy appeared to be 12, maybe 13 years of age.

Well how old did he say he was?

He said he was 16.

Well, maybe he is 16.

This boy was not even approaching 16, Captain.

We cannot just sit by and watch this happen.

Miss Olivia, you know I don't allow anything like that

in my troop.

Yours is not the only troop.

We cannot allow this to happen.

If it doesn't concern my troop,

there's not anyone gonna listen to me and you know that.

Are you refusing to forward my letter?

It's signed by the doctor as well.

No, no.

I'll forward your letter.

I appreciate that, Captain.

♪ Down by the riverside ♪

♪ Down by the riverside ♪

♪ Down by the riverside ♪

♪ I'm gonna lay down my heavy load ♪

♪ Down by the riverside ♪

♪ Down by the riverside ♪

♪ Down by the riverside ♪

♪ I ain't gonna study no war no more ♪

♪ I ain't gonna study war no more ♪

♪ I ain't gonna study war no more ♪

Where did you learn that song, sir?

I'm a Quaker, and in our fellowship,

we welcome our African brethren as equals.

You must be Colonel Peabody.

I am he.

Now what can I do for you gentlemen?

Gentlemen?

No one's ever called us gentlemen before.

I like you Quaker folk.

Daniel, let me do the talking.

Colonel Peabody, is it true

that now that your army's here

we don't have to stay on the plantation?

Only if you so desire.

President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation

nearly two years ago now.

You're free men.

We didn't know.

They never told us.

Unfortunately the Confederacy

has not acknowledged Mr. Lincoln's proclamation.

Now, what would you like to do with your freedom?

We'd like to join up.

Very well.

What are your names?

My name's Joshua and this is my son Daniel.

What work did you do?

Well, I was a blacksmith and he was a groom.

Private Joshua Smith, Private Daniel Smith.

I will give you a note

that you will take to the supply sergeant.

Unfortunately, we no longer have any uniforms,

but he can still process your paperwork.

You will then report to the stables.

When you hear the bugle, it is dinner time.

You will be paid at the first of each month.

Is that satisfactory, gentlemen?

That sounds just fine.

Take heed, gentlemen.

General Sherman is very particular

about the care of his horse.

We'll take good care of him, sir.

I am sure you will.

One more thing.

If you are gonna be a part of this army,

you must learn something very important,

and that is how to salute.

Stand straight!

Arm up!

Palm face out!

Like this.

Very good.

Thank you, sir.

No, thank you.

You have reminded me why I've been here.

I have thought of the Hebrews when they made their exodus.

They were free, but they did not yet have their freedom.

Sir?

No one is truly free till they can claim

what is rightfully theirs.

No one is truly free

till they can choose their own path in life.

Amen.

Amen.

Peabody.

Yes, sir.

Can you find me some apple brandy?

Right away, sir.

Halt.

Who are you?

I'm a nurse.

Our nurses have not yet arrived.

I am tending some men who cannot be moved.

What were you doing in there?

I had to remove a young man's leg and he is in agony.

I have to find something to alleviate his pain.

Well that fine apple brandy

should help alleviate his pain.

This soldier, is he one of ours?

Bullets do not discriminate.

Neither do I.

But yes, he was wearing a blue coat.

Will he survive?

I believe he will, even with the loss of the leg.

I suppose I must thank you for not shooting me.

Truth be told, I could not shoot anyone.

Could not?

You are an armed officer.

I am a Quaker.

Regulations say I have to carry a sidearm.

But there is no regulation saying it has to be loaded.

A Quaker?

In Sherman's army.

I'm the Quartermaster.

Ah, because you are honest, you do not steal.

I am just a man among men.

In this way I can serve both my conscience and my country.

I see.

Could you take me to see General Sherman?

For what reason?

I have nothing in the hospital.

I need food, bandages, soap, chloroform,

all kinds of medicine,

and I must protest the enlistment of children in the armies.

Very well.

Come with me, please.

Your brandy, sir.

Where's my apple brandy?

This rot-gut is a last resort.

Begging the general's pardon, sir,

but there was a young soldier who lost a leg.

I gave it to him for the pain.

You gave an enlisted man my brandy?

With all due respect, sir,

he sacrificed a limb for the cause.

I can always procure you more brandy.

Of course.

Is there anything else?

A lady requested an audience with you, sir.

You mean one of the Rebels?

She is a nurse.

She is tending both our wounded and theirs.

Fine, bring her in.

Madam, please be seated.

Now,

would you explain your business here?

Sir, this war is claiming the lives of our children.

Boys as young as 12 years old are enlisting

and being killed.

I am here to beg you to put a stop to this cruelty.

War is cruelty.

There's no sense trying to reform it.

The crueler it is, the sooner it'll be over.

But these poor boys did not cause this war.

Most of them do not even understand why they are fighting.

You are a father.

Would you want this for your own children?

I lost one son when he was nine.

I lost my youngest son when he was only six months.

At least your Rebel boys were allowed to grow up a little.

Sir, I am truly sorry for your loss.

But your boys died at home,

surrounded by their loving family.

Our children in the field endure hardships

that break the strongest men, and then they perish,

alone and terrified.

Please, halt the slaughter of the innocence,

lest there will be no one left when this war is over.

And your name will be synonymous

with the utmost brutality.

If the people raise a great howl

against my barbarity and cruelty,

I will answer, war is war and not popularity seeking.

Whoever wears a Rebel uniform

will bear the wrath of the United States Army,

and the battlefield is no place for a lady.

Colonel Peabody will escort you back to your home.

What was my home is now in the ashes of Atlanta.

I intended to make Georgia howl.

And civilian casualties are an unfortunate,

but unavoidable consequence.

The South has grieved with every step of your march.

Your northern brethren share your grief.

General, I shall not denounce your methods,

for you are a man of war, and I am a woman of peace.

But as long as our soldiers continue to fight and bleed,

so shall I stand by the field to nurse them.

And I must make one more request.

Madam, I can do nothing for you.

Yes, you can.

I understand that you have a great deal of respect

for your field nurses.

That is my profession as well.

Please, give me supplies.

I can still save a few lives.

Sir, our nurses have not yet arrived,

and she is treating our wounded as well as theirs.

Very well.

I've learned that nurses are far more popular

than any of us generals.

War is hell

and you are truly the angels of the battlefield.

Fill out the requisition in triplicate

and bring it to me in the morning.

Sir, I have men who need medicine today.

Very well.

Just sign my signature.

I am most grateful for your generosity.

I have long admired Clara Barton and her associates,

and when your nurses do arrive,

I shall be honored to work alongside them.

Peabody, are my quarters prepared?

Yes, sir.

That has been attended to.

I see no reason why I'll continue to be needing you.

You're dismissed.

Thank you, sir.

Madam.

Fine.

Quakers.

Miss Olivia, Sherman's gettin' close.

We've got to evacuate.

- Is Doc in the wagon? - Yes.

We got as many as we could in there.

I can ride.

Ma'am, I'm afraid we don't have any spare horses.

But don't worry, ma'am, we would never leave you.

You can ride with me.

Sir, it would be highly improper

for a lady to ride behind a gentlemen

who is not her husband or a family member.

What about him?

Can he keep up with the infantry?

He can barely stand.

Well ma'am, I'm sorry, we'll have to leave him.

Take this man instead.

He cannot walk, but he can hold on.

I can't let you do that, you'll be captured.

I am not a soldier.

Please, take this man.

You have to leave immediately.

All right.

Are you sure you can ride?

If you just help me up.

If I have somebody to hold on to,

I'm pretty sure I can ride.

Miss Olivia, you take this cross.

It was my grandfather's.

He wore it at Lexington.

It'll protect you from Sherman.

Thank you.

This ride will not be pleasant,

but hold on and you will recover.

Down with the eagle, up with the cross.

Yankee fire on the right.

Steady boys, hold it steady.

Miss Olivia, where you goin'?

I'm going out to see if I can locate some of the wounded.

You know I can order you to stay.

But I know it wouldn't do any good.

So here.

Thank you, Captain.

But can you use it?

On anyone who could attack a wounded man?

Of course I can.

Doctor.

What?

Miss Olivia, help the other soldier.

But this boy needs help.

- Miss Olivia... - But we have to try to...

No, no.

Miss Olivia, he's gone.

He's gone.

I don't feel nothin'.

So, Josh,

where you come from?

Right up the road.

Hampton County.

Does your mama and papa know where you are?

Mama does.

Daddy, died fighting.

Like you, like a good soldier, huh?

- Doc? - Yes, Joshua?

I wanna go home.

It won't be long now, son.

It won't be long.

Mr. Peabody, in all of our meetings

you've always worn absolute colonel regalia.

Why are you incognito?

Already several of our officers have been assaulted.

And last week, a man I know very well,

a major, was murdered in his sleep.

Are you thinking guerrillas?

Who else?

Mr. Peabody, this march that has been perpetrated

by your General Sherman has been brutal

on the people that live here.

Do you think there'll be uprisings?

Maybe, but

the resources are so depleted.

So, you have nothing left to trade?

Not really, not as much.

Personally, I'm just waiting for the next step.

And what might that be?

Well the way I see it,

everything that has been destroyed

will have to be rebuilt.

And within this reconstruction,

we will find an ocean of opportunity.

Perhaps.

What do you plan on doing after this conflict is over?

I mean, you're a clever man with good ideas.

You have a good head for business.

I just want to go home.

Home and family, of course.

But think about it,

are you really going to be content

living out the rest of your days

on that Pennsylvania farmhouse porch,

watching the sun go down, watching the sun come up?

Watching the sun go down, watching the sun come up.

Yes.

It is all I want, it is all I dream of.

Yes, well, I must apologize for my demeanor

at our last meeting.

You gave me fair warning about what was about

to happen to Atlanta and I ignored that information,

but it was good information.

Yes, it was good information.

But where does that leave us?

I would like to return the favor.

You have information for me?

I do.

But like me, in our last information exchange,

you will probably turn a blind eye.

I'm listening.

There is a carriage, of gold, headed north.

Please continue, Mr. Parker.

Plans have been set into action

regarding your beloved Mr. Lincoln.

What would be the reason for these plans at this point?

Revenge.

I do have the laudanum, Mr. Parker.

And I have the apple brandy.

We mustn't keep the general waiting.

You've chosen an appropriate day

to come back home to me, James Peabody.

This truly is Good Friday.

It has been a long and difficult journey

and there is much that I have to tell you.

And we will talk.

We will talk about everything,

from morning till night if you wish.

But first, I'm afraid there is a schedule

to discuss for tomorrow.

I know you've been looking forward to the day

that you did not have to wear this uniform.

However, the good folk of town

have scheduled a grand parade,

quite a to do, actually.

A parade?

Very well, it seems I will be marching again.

Nay, all you must do is sit on the review stand and wave.

I am no hero.

There are men who have received other marching orders

who are more deserving of being on that review stand.

Let's get you inside for a while.

I imagine you're hungry?

Verily.

Miriam, what is wrong?

I've just come from town, James.

I was helping with the preparations for the parade.

I'm afraid it's been canceled.

Oh.

I'm sorry.

Why?

James, I can't even say.

Please.

What has happened?

Official news.

I saw the telegram.

Yes?

President Lincoln has been assassinated.

My father,

Captain R.L. Chessman, Confederate States of America,

was one of the lucky ones.

He came home.

As the many thousands of sons, brothers,

and fathers of the South returned,

the nation began to rebuild.

But these brave soldiers will never be forgotten.

These were the men who rode with General Lee.

The men who rode with General Wheeler.

The men of Hampton's Legion.