Original subtitles

I believe in you, John. You know that.

What do you do, love?

I work for a newspaper.

You look fresh off of the farm.

I've only had the job a few days.

You're green.

Tell the truth now, love. You ever been with a woman?

John Brown, I sentence you to be hanged in public...

on Friday the second of December.

Will you be coming back?

I'd like to come back, Mary.

Then make it happen.

I've come to ask you not to leave, John.

It's no time for you to be going up north.

There's gonna be a fight.

Three of us side by side. Ain't nobody can lick us.

I'll never wear that uniform.

Well, that makes you a traitor.

What was the sentiment in your county...

as to secession or no?

I don't know about the county...

but I have three brothers who can't wait to fight for the Confederacy.

Should it come to war...

were I you, I'd look to my talent for the solution.

Your talent suggests the role of artist-correspondent.

File right.

You see the stone bridge where the turnpike crosses Bull Run?

If I were an artist lookin' for a battle...

I'd start lookin' right here.

I thought I'd make such a great soldier.

So far, so good.

I wet my pants!

Help!

Oh, help me!

Get in here! Help these men!

For as much as Jonas and Mary have consented together in holy wedlock...

I pronounce that they are husband and wife.

- Are you all right? - Flying glass just cut my finger.

Your breast.

Look at me. There's no wound. I'm fine.

You'll never bring me harm, my darling.

What you bring me...

is happiness.

You was runnin' away, wasn't you?

So was I.

Guess they'd shoot us just for runnin' away.

Hell, they'd be glad to shoot us just for not shootin' each other.

Right now we're above enemy artillery.

Five hundred feet on down is the danger zone.

They'll make it plenty hot for us.

Mooney was dead before he was pinned to the tree.

This don't have much to do with the war. This is murder.

The killer wants us to know it's murder.

What happened?

Their gunboat shelled the kelpy...

sank her.

Something pressing down...

on my chest.

He needs a hospital right away.

Have you forgotten our plans, Lester?

Remember what you said? "We're gonna have it all."

Everyone to their own ward during bombardment. It's an order.

We'll talk again. I'll see you tomorrow.

Rock-a-bye, baby

On the treetop

When the wind blows

The cradle will rock

"May 1863"

Last night's coffee? At least let me warm it.

It's fine, Mary.

Saw that sergeant of yours.

Your leave's been cancelled, hasn't it?

Sergeant's saddling my horse. I have to report to headquarters now.

- Drat! - Watch your language, Mary.

Rebels.

Jeb Stuart's cavalry has cut off the B&O Railroad at Sykesville.

The Rebs have cut all the rail lines in this area, even the Gettysburg line.

Lee's armies are moving.

You're worried?

I am.

There's a big battle brewing. I can feel it.

- If we're caught without supply lines... - I understand, Jonas.

There's something else, Mary.

Stuart's cavalry has been spotted around Westminster.

That means the Rebs aren't too far from here. Listen.

If you hear the sound of cavalry or gunfire...

I want you to lock all the doors and go down to the cellar.

Take plenty of food and water, make sure that...

you don't come out until it's safe.

Promise?

I won't be too far away. Don't cry.

I'm trying.

It's just...

I love you so much.

I bet ya I love you more.

Captain Steele to see General Meade.

- Captain Steele to see General Meade. - Thank you, Corporal.

General Meade, Captain Steele to see you, sir.

Thank you.

General.

A battle's inevitable, Captain.

We lock horns with the Rebs tomorrow.

- Where, sir? - It's building up around Gettysburg.

Our supply lines are a shambles.

Yes, sir, I know.

There's a gleam of hope.

The Western Maryland Railroad. It's just a spur.

It runs between Baltimore and Westminster.

But isn't that a single track? I don't know if it can handle the traffic.

Neither do I, but General Haupt does.

He's a genius with railroads, Captain.

Find Haupt and report to him. He has a job for you.

- Yes, sir. - And remember this:

That 29 miles of single track...

may be the key to the battle.

Yes, sir.

Major, where can I find General Haupt?

He left during the night. He's down at the other end of the line.

How do I get there? Is there a train this morning?

How would I know?

We haven't got a telegraph.

If you want to make time, ride. Get a fresh horse in Reistertown.

Thanks.

Wait a minute.

Will you take a message to General Haupt?

What is it?

Tell him I'm down here with a hundred wagons, waitin' for supplies.

And I've got nothin' to give 'em. Nothin'. Tell him.

I'll tell him.

There are no sidings...

no way for trains to pass each other or to be turned around.

For the return trip, a train has to back up.

- Round trip takes eight hours. - That's only three trains a day.

Yeah, but I'm gonna send trains in convoy, Captain.

Five trains at a time. That's fifteen trains a day.

That's different.

You're gonna take this work train up the track just ahead of the convoy.

I'll give you a dozen railroad construction men who can fix anything.

There's one more thing.

Maryland is a slave state.

There are rebel sympathizers around.

I've had reports of armed bands of irregulars.

Watch out for them...

'cause they could blow the tracks or bury it in a landslide.

Also, there's a couple of small bridges they could wreck.

I understand, General.

You have a reputation for getting things done.

- Live up to it. - Yes, sir.

We'll get closer, then we'll put out the fire.

Move quickly and stay low.

Stay down!

Get the buckets!

Hurry! Hurry!

Over there.

Who's there?

Put down your gun, soldier.

A woman?

I know you can't see.

Water.

Please.

Let me hold it.

A woman's hand.

I wish I could see you.

Jonas.

Give me a hand here.

Move him easy.

Easy.

Help me over here, quickly.

Move 'em out!

Move 'em along now.

Let's go!

- What's the matter? - I don't know.

Something's wrong.

Report back to headquarters. I'll see you down the road.

Mary.

Forgive me, Mary.

You keep this...

until I join you.

And may I join you soon.

God shall wipe away all tears from your eyes...

and there shall be no more sorrow, nor pain, nor death.

Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Let not your heart be troubled.

If you believe in God, believe also in Me.

My Father's house has many mansions.

If it were not so, I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you, but My soul really told you.

I am the resurrection and the life.

He that believeth in Me shall never die.

He that believeth and liveth in Me shall never die.

The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.

He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.

He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...

I will fear no evil for Thou art with me.

Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.

Thou anointest my head with oil. My cup runneth over.

Fourscore and seven years ago...

our fathers brought forth on this continent...

a new nation...

conceived in liberty...

and dedicated to the proposition...

that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged...

in a great civil war...

testing...

whether that nation...

or any nation so conceived and so dedicated...

can long endure.

We are met on a great battlefield of that war.

We've come to dedicate a portion of that field...

as a final resting place...

for those who here gave their lives...

that that nation might live.

It is altogether fitting and proper...

that we should do this.

But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate...

we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground.

The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here...

have consecrated it...

far above our poor power to add or detract.

The world will little note nor long remember what we say here...

but it can never forget...

what they did here.

It is for us, the living, rather, to be dedicated here...

to the unfinished work...

which they who fought here...

have thus far so nobly advanced.

It is rather for us to be here...

dedicated to the great task remaining before us...

that from these honored dead...

we take increased devotion...

to that cause for which they gave...

the last full measure of devotion.

That we here...

highly resolve...

that these dead shall not have died in vain...

that this nation, under God...

shall have a new birth of freedom...

and that government of the people...

by the people...

for the people...

shall not perish...

from the Earth.

Number one, fire!

Number two, fire!

Number three, fire!

Number one, fire!

Number two, fire!

Number three, fire!

Number four, fire!

Cease fire!

What's up, Lieutenant? Sounds like a general cease-fire.

Well, it is, for an hour. Shelling stops three times a day.

The men have to eat.

The rest of the time we lob explosives into that city night and day.

- How long has it been goin' on? - Over a month now.

Did you know Vicksburg's full of women and children...

surrounded...

starving...

in a city that's being blown apart?

What the devil makes them so stubborn?

Oh, I forgot.

You wanted to go down to the trenches, didn't you?

Now is the time, during the lull.

Hey, Yank!

What's on your mind, Reb?

Why you comin' at us with that new ditch?

That's a military secret.

Yeah, I know, I know, but you can tell us.

When we get it dug, we're gonna flood it.

Then we sail our gunboats down here and blow hell outta ya.

Do you mind if I talk to the Reb?

He's all yours.

Hey, Reb!

- Is that General Stevenson's division? - What of it?

I've gotta talk to Corporal Matthew Geyser, artilleryman.

He's with the Virginia battery.

Who wants Matt Geyser?

John Geyser, his brother.

Stay where you're at.

Get down, son.

Get your heads down, Rebs. We're openin' up.

Cease fire!

Hold your fire!

Hey, Yank!

Matt Geyser's ready.

John Geyser's ready!

- What goes? - Brothers.

Come lookin' for me? How come?

Come lookin' for me? How come?

We're brothers.

Last time I saw you, I called you a traitor.

I remember.

- Have you seen Emma? - I seen her once in Vicksburg.

Went to her house a month back.

Since then, her husband got himself killed.

She's alone in that city, or what's left of it?

She's alone...

except for the baby.

She had a boy.

Jesse.

Jesse?

Probably starving with the rest of'em.

Ain't nothin' I can do.

Spread out thin up here.

- Nobody leaves the front lines. - You remember the address?

18 Newlet Street. What do you want it for?

- I don't know yet. - You can do me a favor.

Saved some money to send to Ma and Pa.

They probably need it.

We're surrounded. Ain't no way I can get it to 'em.

I'll see it gets mailed.

We're holdin' up the war.

I'm glad I saw you, Matt.

I got somethin' on my mind, John.

Probably won't say it right.

I've seen a lot of Yanks die for what they believe.

Killed two of'em myself up close.

There weren't no hate in it.

I've grown up some, I reckon.

I've learned a couple of things.

To respect a man who stands up for what he thinks is right...

even if I think he's wrong.

What I'm trying to say...

That day back on the farm, I never should have called you a traitor.

You just took a different fork in the road.

But you're right.

We're still brothers.

Get your heads down, Rebs!

Hey, John. How 'bout a drink?

That's a good idea.

Listen, Fred, I've got some mail here, some sketches and a letter home.

Can you put them in the general's pouch?

Sure can.

Kind of spruced up there, aren't you?

Just came from staff headquarters. The news looks good.

Grant just got word that Vicksburg's on its last legs.

They're starving, down to mule meat.

Yesterday, they went on quarter rations. They only got enough for six days.

They're running low on water. There's no drugs.

You don't look exactly overjoyed.

No, I got a sister in Vicksburg.

I'm sorry. I didn't know that.

As of yesterday?

Where does Grant get his up-to-date information?

Our courier came by today.

- What courier? - He's a Vicksburg man.

Spy, courier, smuggler.

He runs back and forth on dark nights in a dory and peddles us information.

You know where he is now?

Yeah, there he is...

gettin' ready for the return trip.

His name's Lamar.

We pay him off with whiskey, flour, drugs.

He takes it to Vicksburg and sells it at extortionist's prices.

Go back and get the rest of that stuff, and hurry it up.

All right, that looks pretty good. You can take this one out again.

- Where are you going? - To make a deal with Lamar.

John, the man's a scoundrel. He probably works for both sides.

- He's a real blackguard. - I know.

That's just the man I want.

Get the other half of the money ready, mister.

I'm gonna let you out in a couple of minutes.

You go a quarter a mile yonder.

You come to a road, you turn right...

and it takes you into town.

Why here? Where do you land?

At the city wharf.

City wharf? What about the authorities?

As long as I'm smuggling food...

I got no problems.

But when it comes to spies, oh, that's another kettle of fish.

I'm not a spy.

I don't give a damn what you say you are, mister...

as long as I get this.

Now, git!

Here comes another one!

Horse meat.

Must be the last horse in Vicksburg.

Get me a steak.

Lend me your knife after you're finished.

There's plenty left here for all of us.

Good morning, ma'am. Can I suggest you use the other side of the street?

What are you hiding, young man? Is that a dead horse?

Yes, ma'am. I'm afraid it's not a fit sight for the eyes of a lady.

Are you trying to do me out of my share?

- No, ma'am. I just thought... - Step aside.

Now, hold it, lady.

I'm gonna get me some of that meat.

On your feet, young man. You're not hit.

Do you have any wish to stay alive?

When you hear a shell coming at you...

would you please run away from it instead of toward it?

And if it bursts directly overhead, you stand still.

Yes, ma'am. I forgot.

A little panicky, I guess.

Did you follow me?

Well, l...

Really, I came to apologize.

After we were talkin' there by the dead horse...

I realized you were just trying to be polite.

I'm Mrs. Lovelace.

Is there anything I can do for you?

I'm lookin' for my sister on Newlet Street.

- Oh, what number? - Eighteen.

Come on.

That's 18, or what's left of it.

Jesse's.

What did you say your sister's name was?

Emma. She married a Vicksburg man.

Lester Bedell.

Emma Bedell.

I don't think I should trust you yet. What are you doing here?

You just arrived in Vicksburg, didn't you?

Just before the siege.

You didn't. You arrived yesterday or this morning.

You don't know how to dodge a shell.

You couldn't find your sister's house. You're new here.

Maybe you floated in on a log.

Others have done that.

So you ran the blockade, totin' that pack of food.

- Who said it was food? - I have a nose like a beagle.

If you starve for a little while, you can sniff food a mile away.

So you ran a blockade...

bearing food for your sister and her baby.

That's the way I see it.

Perhaps I should trust you, young man.

Will you give me your word as a Virginian...

that you are not a spy?

Miss Lovelace, I'm not a spy.

It's just as well. You couldn't fool a dead mule.

But you are a Virginian?

- You sniffed that out too? - I didn't have to.

Your accent is the same as Emma's, and she is a Virginian.

Yes.

I know Emma. I know everybody around here.

You know her? She's alive?

She's livin' in the caves.

You best eat that soup, child. It's all it is.

Do you have any food? We're desperate.

We'll pay anythin' you ask.

I have a little, but it's for my sister and her baby.

I understand.

Do you know her? Emma Bedell?

Three doors down.

Thank you.

- Emmy? - Who is it?

It's John.

Stay away from me!

How did you get here, blue belly?

We haven't surrendered.

Not yet.

Thank God for that.

How's Jesse?

He's fine.

I heard about your husband.

Lester?

Lester's dead.

- I'm sorry, Emma. - You're sorry?

You killed him! Get out!

Emma, don't you know who I am?

Oh, I recognize you all right. You're the enemy.

You killed my husband. You blew up my home.

You forced me to live underground like a stinkin' rat.

You're starvin' my child.

That's not true. Put the gun down.

- I brought food. - I won't take it.

There's milk forJesse. It's fresh. It's just two days old.

- He'll die before I give it to him! - I'm not the enemy.

I haven't fired a shot against the South.

- Or against the North either. - That's true.

But that doesn't mean I killed your husband or blew up your house.

- Get out, traitor. - Not till I see my nephew.

You're gonna have to shoot me to stop me.

I brought a present for him.

You've had your way. Now, get out!

I declare.

Well, young man, it's good to see that you're able to do something well.

Did you find your sister?

Did you hear that terrible rumor?

Oh, it's true, Miss Lovelace. Vicksburg has surrendered.

- Oh, no! - They've stopped the shelling.

Well, we would never surrender.

Listen.

I just don't believe it.

Look at that shoreline. Makes your hair stand on end.

Yeah, that be the wilderness, mister.

That's the worst soil in Virginny.

Oh, a man can break his back tryin' to make a crop on it.

But nobody tries, not anymore.

Seventy square miles of it.

They call it "Satan's country."

You'll find a trail out there, if'n your eyes are good.

And you'll come out at the Orange Turnpike.

Thank you.

"Satan's country," he said.

You're mighty gloomy, my friend.

I haven't heard more than a grunt out of you in days.

Look, Jonas, I understand.

It's been almost a year since Mary was killed.

Some wounds time just don't heal.

Easy, soldier, easy!

- Did you fire that shot? - No, sir.

It was Fergie, Private Ferguson, sir.

Please come with me.

- What were you doing here? - Picket duty, sir.

I heard Fergie scream. I was too late.

Saber wound.

Skull's damn near split down the middle.

Body tied to the tree just after the kill.

It's just like the murder on the peninsula.

When you found the body, did you hear anything?

I heard someone makin' tracks...

and he was whistlin', he was whistlin' a tune.

Was it this?

That's it, sir.

I know it's him.

I'm gonna be meetin' up with him soon. I can feel it.

It's gonna be one hate-filled animal against another, and I'm gonna kill him.

I swear to God, I'll kill him.

John, over here!

Get the horses.

How 'bout a nice, warm whiskey?

Jonas, you know Fred Harrison, General Grant's staff.

- We've met. - General Grant here?

He's back at the ford. I'm here as his liaison.

Why did he bring the whole damn army into this hellhole?

Excuse me, gentlemen.

Captain, it's a matter of overall strategy.

We're out to win the war this summer.

We're pressurin' the Rebs everywhere we can...

all the way from the Shenandoah to Mobile.

General Sherman's in Georgia, movin' down the slope.

Butler's on the south bank of theJames, threatening Richmond.

And we, the grand old army of the Potomac...

our job is to engage General Lee and the army of Northern Virginia.

Here in the wilderness?

Nobody fights a battle in a jungle. We're just marching through.

Six miles further up, it's open territory.

That's where we'll crush Lee.

Major, for three years now, we've been trying to do just that.

Why will this time be any different?

Lee's short on manpower. We have more of everything than he does.

Except maybe brains.

Really, Captain?

How do you know that he'll be waiting for us in your nice, open territory?

Because we expect him to be there, Captain.

He has to stay between us and Richmond.

Just one flaw, Major.

When was the last time General Lee did what we expected him to do?

General Meade, is there anything I can...

Listen.

What is that, sir?

That's the sound of an army moving in strength.

Lee's men aren't getting much sleep tonight.

Forty rounds for every man, Corporal.

Word is the Rebs are gonna fight for it right here.

In this mess?

That's what we're paid for.

Were you scared, Malachy, when you was a greenhorn?

Yup.

How'd you get over it?

Well...

they gave me a promotion by mistake.

After that...

I was more scared of being scared than I was of being shot at.

Company, forward!

March!

What'd he do that for?

Would you want your mother to know you play cards?

Heck no. What's my mom got to do with it?

If you get killed, they send your personal stuff home.

Mark Geyser.

May God go with you today.

Rebels coming this way.

Into the bushes!

Take cover!

- First squad, take cover to the right. - Second squad to the left.

First squad, move it!

- Rebels up ahead. - Set up your piece right here.

- On the road, sir? - Where else?

There's nothin' on wheels gonna move in that underbrush.

Rebels are massing on Plank Road.

We'd better inform General Grant.

Good morning, Jonas. What's the word?

General Griffin reports he's encountered strength...

a force at least as big as his own.

What's more, the Rebs are being reinforced.

You were there, Jonas. What do you think?

Well, sir, I think Griffin's run into Ewell's entire corps.

General Meade?

You still think Lee's fightin' a rear-guard action?

No, General, he's chosen to fight here.

I say let's throw the whole army of the Potomac at him.

I concur. Cancel the movement south.

I'll order Hancock to double back on Plank Road.

Jonas, you tell Griffin I'm sending Sedgewick to bolster his ranks.

Sir.

And I'd better move Warren.

Excuse me, General.

Fire one round.

Hold your fire.

Hold your fire.

You see anyone over there?

Can't see anything.

Fix bayonets.

Move out, boys.

Back!

Fall back!

Take cover. Follow me.

Where's the sarge?

He caught one. He's dead.

They got us outnumbered, Malachy.

We'd best skedaddle.

We'll stay put, Jake.

Can't stay out on the wings, Sarge. The fire's burnin' my boots.

Let's go!

Not yet.

Aim low.

Fire!

Can you move?

Fall back!

Fall back!

Come on.

Let's go!

Thousands of men caught out there in that hellfire.

Lost men...

huddled in pockets.

Brigades facing every which way.

Men afraid to move in the dark...

'cause the enemy's just a few steps away.

There's smoke everywhere.

Hangs low and stings your eyeballs.

Terrible smell of death.

Bodies burnin'.

The worst of all, cries of the wounded...

the ones who can't move...

screaming as the fire crawls towards them.

I've gotta go out there.

You can't do anything.

I'm gonna save at least one person.

John, both sides are so jittery, they shoot at anything that moves...

even stretcher bearers.

Malachy's out there. Jake and O'Toole.

I know, but you'll get yourself killed.

Well, I gotta go.

O'Toole would have headed west.

All right, we'll split up.

I'll try and catch up with you, but if I don't, I'll meet you back at the tent.

Oh, God.

Oh, God, where are you?

Oh, God.

It hurts!

Hey, Yank!

I can't move.

In the name of mercy, Yank...

put a bullet in my head.

For God's sakes, Yank, don't let me burn!

Mark, it's me, John.

I took one in the chest.

I'm all broken up inside.

I'm a goner.

The only thing you can do for me...

is shoot me.

I'll get my horse. We'll get you to a doctor.

Hey, mister.

Some mad bastard, he's murderin' the wounded.

Get him. Get him.

You gotta get him.

Look out!

No bullet will stop the work of God!

Post number one. All's well!

Post number two. All's well!

What's the matter?

The matter, friend, is that you've seen one too many men die.

I don't know how you made it this far.

You bleed for both sides, John.

You care too much.

You hate too much.

Hate keeps me goin'.

Hate is my weapon.

Trouble with you is you've got nobody to hate.

You got no enemy.

Why don't you take a breather, John, go home?

Your folks could probably use your help now.

The farm's less than a day's ride from here.

Why don't you just go home, forget the war for a while?

I'm all right.

Your drawings don't say that.

What the hell?

You're on your way to Fredericksburg for medical attention.

It's only a scratch.

No, it isn't. It's infected.

You're full!

New arrivals in the officers' ward.

Eleven so far this morning, all critical.

Do we have the beds for them, Miss Butler?

We do.

Four more men died during the night.

Captain Steele... What's his first name?

Here it is.

It's Jonas. You know him?

Yes.

He's John's... myJohn's best friend.

I told you aboutJonas, the tragedy with his wife.

Oh, yes, I remember.

Amputation, right arm above elbow...

morbidity of the blood and general septicemia.

Doctor, how is he?

On top of everything else, he has pneumonia.

Put a new dressing on his stump. It's getting gamy.

I'm looking for Captain Steele, Jonas Steele.

- Your name, please. - John Geyser.

You're Kathy's John, aren't you?

Have a seat for a minute. I'll take you to the ward myself.

Good morning, Jonas.

Mary?

No, it's Kathy.

Kathy Reynolds.

Is it really you, Mary?

Tell me that it's you.

Yes, Jonas, it's Mary.

You've come to take me with you.

No, Jonas, not yet.

You are so beautiful.

My lovely wife.

I've missed you.

I've waited for you.

I'm ready to come with you.

Not yet.

Not yet.

You still love me, don't you?

It's because I love you that I've come.

Come closer.

You must get well, Jonas...

for me.

But I don't want to live without you.

It's not our choice.

You're not leaving me again, are you?

I must.

Kiss me.

Do you promise to go back to sleep...

to rest?

I promise.

- Miss Butler, please stop him. - I don't think I should.

You know these parts, mister?

Some.

We're looking for Carpenter's Ford.

River's over the next hill. Ford's about five miles upstream.

- Hey, John! - Good to see you, Matt.

Where'd you get the limp?

I caught one in the leg at Vicksburg right after I saw you that time.

Vicksburg was a year ago. That should have healed by now.

She's healed, all right, an inch shorter than the other one.

The war is over for me.

So what's the word on Luke?

Letter came last week. He's in prison.

Point Lookout, Maryland.

Says it's mighty rough.

John, the news on Mark's worse.

He's listed missing at the wilderness.

He's dead, Matt.

I knew it somehow.

I knew it.

Pa, we have a visitor.

Who is it, Emma?

A traitor.

How are you, Pa?

You turned your back on this house, this land.

- You don't belong here. - I won't stay long.

Why'd you have to come at all?

To bring this.

Mark's dead.

He died in battle.

I was there.

The wilderness was on fire. That's all I could bring.

Ashes from the funeral pyre. Mark's ashes.

I'm gonna go see Mama.

No, John.

Don't tell your ma about Mark. Not just yet.

She's already worried herself sick.

Pa!

Ashes.

That's all we got.

Has the doctor been here yet?

I don't need him.

Just the influenza or somethin'.

Seen your pa?

He's still bitter.

Had a hard time after you left.

Folks got under his skin...

askin' how come he raised a Yankee.

You know how they talk.

He's a proud man, John.

It hurt him bad.

Mark's listed missin', but...

I know he'll show up again one of these days.

Sure, Mama.

I want this war to be over.

How long is it gonna last?

Can't last much longer.

I live for the day when it'll be done...

and Luke will come back from that prison...

Mark will come stridin' up the road...

and we'll...

all be together again.

That'll be wonderful, won't it, Mama?

You better get some rest now.

Influenza.

It's worth the risk.

Is it?

I've got somethin' to show you.

That's a whole damn army on the march.

I can hear it.

Listen again, soldier. That's cavalry.

Maybe.

That dust cloud, that's up around Clayton's store.

What's our cavalry doin' up here?

Last I heard, Fitz Lee was down around Gordonsville.

That's a Yank cavalry, Matt. I was close on 'em this morning.

If the Yankees are up thataway, our cavalry's down here...

We could wind up, John, betwixt and between.

Confederate cavalry. Open up!

- This is Geyser Hill? - It is. I'm Ben Geyser.

- My son, Matthew. - Who else is in the house?

My wife, my daughter, my grandson.

- Who's that? - He's my brother.

Sergeant, prepare to defend that wall...

and find a safe place for the horses.

There are two regiments of Yank cavalry on the road to Louisa Courthouse.

Our main force is moving up to meet 'em.

- Battle's gonna start anytime now. - That road's over a mile away.

It could still reach here 'fore it's over.

My orders are to protect our right flank.

- That means holdin' this hill. - I understand you, Lieutenant.

- What can we do to help? - You can get your family out of here.

This is our land. We aim to defend it.

I reckon that's your privilege. Evans!

Three carbines, twenty rounds each.

- At least get the women out. - The women stay!

I don't have time to argue, miss.

Hide 'em in the cellar.

Here, this'll do you more good than that shotgun.

- You do any soldiering? - Two years in Virginia artillery.

Ammunition.

You want this?

I'm a correspondent pledged not to bear arms against either side.

I don't have time for talk, mister. You want it or not?

John, you won't fight, not even now?

You won't defend your own family?

Get out of my sight.

Out of my sight!

Or God forgive me, I'll shoot you!

I don't see nothin', Lieutenant, but I can sure feel it...

down there in those woods yonder.

What are they waitin' for?

Mama, you hardly ate anything.

When the shootin' starts, we'll head to the back door.

We gotta get in and out fast.

When the Rebs hear shots behind 'em, they'll have to pull men outta the line.

Keep shooting as long as you can, then run for it.

George, set fire to the place on the way out.

Tom, you...

Hold it! Form a line.

Commence fire!

Go back inside!

I'm taking your place on the firing line, coward!

Inside!

Fall back!

Help! No, no!

Help! Help!

Knock her out, will ya?

Help Mama.

They're coming back!

Commence fire!

How does this work?

How do you work this thing?

Over the wall!

Charge!

Charge!

- Matt, no! - Charge!

Oh, God.

We drove 'em off, Pa.

We drove 'em right off our land.

I reckon we did, son.

All of us...

together.

God!

Unto Almighty God we commend the souls...

of our brothers departed...

Mark and Matthew.

We commit their bodies to the ground...

earth to earth, ashes to ashes...

dust to dust...

in sure and certain hope of the resurrection...

unto eternal life...

through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

We come to pay our last respects to your son, Matthew.

He was a brave soldier.

We buried two brave soldiers today, Lieutenant.

Another one of our sons, Mark, died at the wilderness.

Then may we honor them both with a volley, sir?

Well, we're grateful, but the funeral is over.

Fire your volley, Lieutenant.

I'm sure the boys will hear it.

Ma'am.

Squad, halt.

Right turn.

Ready.

Aim.

Fire.

Howdy, Mr. Geyser. I'm Jonas Steele, Mary's husband.

Oh, yeah.

I heard much about you, Jonas.

Mary was a fine woman. A terrible loss.

Well, thank you, Mr. Geyser, but I don't reckon I lost her.

She came to visit me in the hospital several months ago.

I was sick. I was pretty sick. I was almost dyin'.

As I was lying there in bed...

I looked up...

and there was Mary's beautiful face floatin' right there above me.

She'd come to tell me that it wasn't my time yet.

She encouraged me to go on livin'.

Just before she left...

I asked her for a kiss...

somethin' to last until we met again.

Then she kissed me. My lovely wife kissed me.

Then she was gone.

Wasn't that just like Mary? Right there just when I needed her.

Yeah, well, I'll see you at the house.

- That was the kiss I saw? - It was.

It was Mary I was kissing, John, and, of course, Kathy knew it.

You know where she is now?

Georgetown Hospital. At least she was a week ago when I checked out.

- What am I gonna say to her? - Plead insanity.

That's not far from the truth.

I was like a madman, Jonas.

Shootin', killin'.

At one point in the battle, I think I threw stones.

It was like a stone-age man defending his family cave.

How'd you feel when it was over?

Upset, guilty.

Is that why you've been hidin' down here?

I'm not hiding. Matthew's dead. Pa needs me.

Well, you could always pay for a hired hand.

Yeah, I suppose.

You know, John, you've tried to make it through this bloody war...

acting like a saint.

You've given it a mighty good try, but it just wasn't in the cards.

What happened on this hill happened.

You didn't have any choice. You fought back.

It just goes to prove you're human like the rest of us.

God help us humans.

God help us, indeed.

John, Luke's had an accident.

Jonas, so good to finally meet you.

Thank you, ma'am.

I heard that...

the army gave you a very good job, made you a colonel.

- No, ma'am. Major. - That's funny.

- Evelyn's letter... - Maggie, tell him about Luke.

They were transferrin' him by train to Elmira, New York.

Luke's train collided with a freight train near the prison.

Fifty of those prisoners were killed, one hundred injured.

- Luke's listed with the injured. - Is he in the hospital?

The mayor said they just loaded them into wagons and took 'em to the prison.

They'll get no doctorin' there.

From what I hear, Elmira is a hellhole.

Emmy's upstairs packing. She's going to Elmira.

It's got into her head that somehow she can help Luke get out of there.

John, she can't make that trip alone.

And it wouldn't help anything anyway.

Would it?

Well, it might.

I've got something in mind, but it's gonna take some planning.

- May we... - Yeah, step inside.

Don't worry, Mama.

He's a strange fella, thatJonas.

It's gonna be all right.

It's gonna be all right, sweetheart. It's gonna be all right now.

Don't try to interfere. I'm goin'.

It's gonna take more than you and a Yankee to stop me.

They never release a prisoner without an army order.

- I'll find a way. - We have a way.

Emma, I have this new job in Washington.

The title's too long to remember.

He's Chief Investigator for theJoint Committee on the Conduct of the War.

- What does that get us? - Maybe an order to release Luke.

- I think I can work it. - When, next year?

No, after I get to Washington. Two, three days.

That's time enough for Luke to die.

You expect me to put Luke's fate in the hands of this blue-belly colonel?

Major. Blue-belly major.

- I won't stay here and do nothin'. - Nor am I.

You and I will go to Elmira whileJonas goes to Washington.

Our job is to keep Luke alive untilJonas gets the order.

We'll take food, medicine, blankets.

We'll make a list.

- Are you willing to leave at dawn? - Yup.

That's it then?

- Snippy little thing, ain't she? - Headstrong.

And that temper.

Pretty though.

Fall in!

Fall in.

Anybody sick? Report to the dispensary.

Now!

Glad to see you're all so healthy. Dismiss your men.

Break ranks!

Any of you Rebs for the dispensary?

How's Luke doing?

Maybe we oughta take him to the dispensary.

I hear they got a doctor.

I reported sick once.

I heard the doctor bragging.

He said he'd killed more Rebs than any soldier at the front.

Leave Luke where he is.

It's better he die among friends than be murdered by enemies.

Oh, Captain Potts. I just know you're gonna spare me a few moments.

- Not now. I'm a very busy man. - Oh, please, Captain.

I've been waitin' all day and all day yesterday.

Corporal, who is this little lady?

Emma Geyser, sir, sister of a prisoner...

Luke Geyser.

And what is it you want of me, Emma?

I just want Luke to have this stuff we brought him.

- And who's that? - Prisoner's brother, sir.

I don't see any contraband here, Corporal.

No, sir.

- So why have you kept Emma waiting? - I was suspicious, sir.

She's a Reb from Virginia, and she tried to vamp me.

You?

- I thought... - Imagine that.

Why don't you just put all this back in that box, Emma?

And, Corporal, make certain that the prisoner gets his package.

- Please. - Yes, sir.

Thank you, Captain.

Emma.

Let me know when it's ready.

Captain!

What?

Well.

It appears I've uncovered an escape plot.

Fetch the prisoner. What's his name anyway?

Luke Geyser.

Well, I want him here now.

And...

you're both under arrest.

Get your tickets right here.

Fifteen cents a ticket.

Here you are, ladies and gentlemen. Get your tickets.

All right, folks. Step right up. Let's keep the line moving.

Get your tickets to see the captured Rebs.

Climb the ladder and see theJohnny Rebs in the prison yard.

Keep the line moving.

Folks, let's keep the line moving.

It's only 15 cents to see theJohnny Rebs in captivity.

I'd suggest you answer me if you know what's good for you and this prisoner.

Who else is involved in this escape plot of yours?

Good day to you, Captain.

- Major. - Major Steele.

Washington, D.C. Chief Investigator, Joint Committee.

Captain, you have a rebel prisoner here...

who happens to be my most important witness...

in a highly sensitive government legal action.

Here is an order for his release...

into my custody, of course.

- Well, Major... - Steele.

Steele. I'd be glad to oblige you in this matter.

My corporal should be back any moment.

Why the nurse?

Oh, just in case my witness needs medical attention.

Who are these people? Why the gun?

They're Rebs under arrest.

The woman tried to smuggle this revolver into my prison earlier.

She did?

Well, she must be a headstrong little fool.

Fortunately for us, she's stupid.

Yes, fortunately.

Where is that corporal of yours? Am I gonna have to wait here all day?

I'm sorry, Major. I can't imagine what's keeping him.

Here's your prisoner, sir.

Luke!

Corporal, why are you carrying that filthy Reb?

Only way I could bring him, sir. You said now.

Luke, it's Emma!

- This doesn't happen to be Luke Geyser? - The very one.

The one they were trying to smuggle this revolver to earlier.

Excellent work, Captain. You've made my case.

Now I can prove conspiracy. Put that man into the carriage.

- But, Major... - Captain.

Look at the release order. He is the man I came for.

You heard what I said, Corporal. Miss Reynolds.

- Yes? - Please keep my witness alive.

- Yes, sir. - I'm taking these two as well.

- Now, Major... - Captain...

- Potts. - Captain Potts.

This release order is signed by two generals and one senator.

Yes, but it doesn't mention those two.

I only just arrested them. How can I release them?

Captain Potts.

You have nailed down an extremely important case.

You are going to impress a lot of extremely important people...

especially when they read about it in my report.

Very important.

Into the carriage, Rebs. Captain Potts.

Do you want this cesspool of a prison investigated?

- Well, no. - Then don't interfere.

Move!

I almost messed it up, didn't I?

You sure almost did. What got into you anyway?

I didn't believe you about the order.

I figured Luke's only hope was to escape.

Well, if you were my woman...

Yes?

I'd spank ya.

How bad is he?

He has a decent pulse.

Kathy, Jonas explained about the kiss.

He said, "Plead insanity."

I've suffered.

Good.

Kathy, will you marry me?

Was that yes?

- John? - Luke?

You want me to step outside?

- Hello, John. - Jonas!

Come on in. Kathy's here.

Oh, good.

Kathy, we've got company.

I have news. I just came from the war department.

Good morning! What news?

Grant has captured Richmond. Petersburg as well.

Lee's armies are moving westward. They probably won't get too far.

The war is finally winding down.

The nightmare ends.

- Thank God for that. - I'm leaving for Virginia.

I've wangled orders a bit. I want to be there for the end.

I thought maybe you'd like to ride with me.

I don't know. We're planning to be married soon.

Harper's has been begging you to go.

Now, Harper's can't complain. I've given them hundreds of sketches.

It's an important body of work. It really is.

- But it oughta have an ending. - Yeah, I want to finish the portrait.

Go.

Those officers are on General Grant's staff.

I think we've finally found him. Wait here. I'll check.

- Jonas. - Gentlemen.

- Major Steele. - Hello, Van. How are you?

- I thought you'd abandoned us. - No, I took a leave of absence.

We came back 'cause we heard the end is near.

The end is nearer than you think. It's right there in that house.

Lee and Grant are in the parlor discussing the terms of surrender.

I'm gonna need a sketch of this.

Whose horse is that?

That's Traveler. Belongs to General Lee.

- Where are we? - Appomatox Courthouse.

Orderly.

Orderly!

General, are we surrendered?

Yes, my men.

You are surrendered.

Men, we have fought the war together.

And I have done the best I could for you.

You will all be paroled...

and go home until exchanged.

The odds against us were too great.

Did you really surrender us, sir? We can keep on fightin'.

- The South will never lose! - Let's fight on, General.

We're all ready to die for the cause!

I would not lead you to further fruitless slaughter.

Good-bye, my men.

Good-bye.

That artillery... is that our men celebratin'?

Yes, sir. A messenger spread the news an hour ago.

- Something has occurred to me. - Yes?

In view of your momentous accomplishments today...

I thought perhaps you might like to send the news to Washington.

I knew there was somethin'.

Badeau.

Bring me my orderly book.

How's that?

Excellent, sir.

Telegraph that to Stanton right away and add a copy of the surrender terms.

Yes, sir.

- And, Badeau. - Sir?

Tell our artillerymen to stop that racket.

The Southerners are now our fellow countrymen.

I see no point in humiliating them.

So what do you hear, Jonas? Is it all over?

There's still some Rebs in the field...

Johnston's army down in North Carolina.

But he's expected to surrender any day now.

No, Jonas. Thanks. I had enough at last night's celebration.

Jake?

I'm thinking about those we've lost.

Young James dying in that hospital tent...

before Bull Run...

before the war even started.

And good old Sergeant O'Toole.

My brother Mark died in the wilderness...

with O'Toole.

Matthew at Geyser Hill.

And Mary.

Many are the hearts that are weary tonight

Wishing for the war to cease

Many are the hearts

Looking for the right

- To see the dawn of peace - Let's sing to their memory.

Tenting tonight

Tenting on the old campground

We've been tenting tonight

On the old campground

Thinking of days gone by

Of the loved ones at home

That gave us a hand

The dear that said good-bye

Many are the hearts that are weary tonight

Wishing for the war to cease

Many are the hearts

Looking for the right

To see the dawn of peace

Tenting tonight

Tenting on the old campground

Many are the hearts that are weary tonight

Wishing for the war to cease

Many are the hearts

Looking for the right

To see the dawn of peace

We've received no news from the war department concerning North Carolina.

We've received no news from the war department concerning North Carolina.

Perhaps Mr. Stanton will have word for us, if and when he arrives.

I can't understand why you haven't heard from Sherman, General.

- Doesn't that make you edgy? - Yes, sir.

Calm your fears, gentlemen.

Last night I received a good omen.

I had a dream, one that I've had before a number of times.

The dream is always the same...

and invariably precedes some great and important event of the war.

I expect, therefore, to get news ofJohnston's surrender very soon.

Just what was the nature of the dream, Mr. President?

Well...

it had to do with your element, Mr. Welles, the water.

I'm in a mysterious sort of vessel...

moving rapidly forward across a dim, hazy sea...

toward a dark, indefinite shore.

And that's all there is to it, except that I had this same dream...

before our victories at Antietam, Stone River...

Gettysburg and Vicksburg.

Stone River was no victory, Mr. President.

In fact, a few more such victories would have ruined us.

Well...

you and I may differ on that point, General.

But I repeat, the dream has always preceded some great event.

Last night's dream must mean Johnston's surrender.

That's the only great event likely to occur.

Cigar, General?

Thank you, sir.

Jonas, I'm glad you're awake.

Wake up.

Are you all right?

- Yeah. - Bad one, huh?

It's that psychic gift.

Gift? It's a curse.

What was the dream?

It's Lincoln. He's in danger. He's gotta be warned.

- I have a message for the president. - He's not on the premises, sir.

Where is he?

Reckon it's no secret.

The president and Mrs. Lincoln are at Ford's Theater.

Thanks.

Where is he? Where is he? Where have they taken my husband?

- What happened? - Mr. Lincoln's been shot.

Why, John?

Why am I warned, yet left powerless to act?

- Mr. Secretary. - Come with me.

I may need you.

What happened?

- How bad is it, Doctor? - The wound is mortal.

All we can do is wait.

Oh, my God.

Mother.

Oh, my God!

I have given my husband...

to die.

The president is dead.

Pulse stopped at 7:22 and two seconds.

Now he belongs to the ages.

Luke, look what I got!

Would you move over here, please? We're gonna take a picture.

All the Geysers and all the Hales, you've got to pose before you eat.

That means you too, Senator Reynolds. Emma, you and Jesse sit right over here.

Annie, right over here. Malachy, Jake, bring that bench over here, please.

Now, Luke, we need you and Mandy as well.

- What's going on? - John's gonna take a picture.

- Of who? - Of everybody.

- It's gonna take hours. - No, a few seconds is all I need.

This is positively the latest in photographic cameras.

It's all the way from New York.

Parson, come here. I need you.

This cap goes on the eye of the camera.

When I run in, take it off, count to five slowly...

then put it back on.

- You sure this is gonna work? - Oh, yeah.

- Get in there, Jonas. - No, I'm not...

No, you're family. Now get in there behind Emma.

All right. Senator, smile.

All right. Here we go. Let me in, let me in.

What do we do?

Nobody moves. Sit up straight.

- Wait till he tells you. - Open the eye now.

With malice toward none...

with charity for all...

with firmness in the right...

as God gives us to see the right...

let us strive on to finish the work we're in...

to bind up the nation's wounds...

to care for him who shall have borne the battle...

and for his widow and his orphan...

to do all which may achieve and cherish...

a just and lasting peace...

among ourselves...

and with all nations.