03x10 - Handful of Fire

[bunniefuu]

SLIM: Dispatch
for Colonel Barrington, sir.

Special Dispatch Rider Sherman
from Fort Laramie, sir.

Orders from headquarters.

They are important, sir.

Hey, Sergeant,
get this man away from me.

But they're urgent, sir.

Sergeant,
I'm planning an attack.

I want no orders
and no interference from anyone.

Get this man
off the hill.

SLIM: But that's what these
orders are about, sir.

They want you to cancel
the attack on the Indians.

You heard the colonel.
Get.

Battle position
has been taken, sir.

The skirmish parties
are moving in.

Proceed with the attack.

Yes, sir.The orders, sir.

I said attack!

[ trumpet blowing ]

There are women
and children in that village.

[ g*nf*re ]

Colonel Barrington,
I must ask you to think

carefully before you answer.

You've testified that
you were aware of the peace

negotiations
with the Indians,

before your attack on
their village at Wounded Knee.

If the court pleases,
I did not so stipulate.

I merely said that
I'd heard a peace treaty

was going to be negotiated.

I've heard the same thing
at least once a year,

since I enlisted in 1950.

Very well, sir.

Why didn't you follow the orders
to cancel that attack?

Because, sir,
I did not receive them in time.

That's a lie.

[ gavel bangs ]

Then, Colonel, it's your opinion
the fault lies

with the dispatch rider
Mr. Sherman?

It's not the first time
I found non-military

personnel unreliable.

Sergeant Bailey.

Sergeant, you were with
the colonel before the attack?

Yes, sir.
That's right, Captain.

I was with him on the hill
overlooking the valley.

Did the colonel receive
those dispatches?

No, sir.

This fellow
come riding up too late.

But not too late
for you to lie about it.

Lieutenant Harmon.

Sir?

Did you see the dispatch rider
on the hill with the colonel?

Yes, sir, I saw him.

However, I don't know
about those orders.

I was only there
a few seconds.

Sir, I'd like to state
that I've been

with the colonel
since my commission.

I doubt if there's
a more respected

or capable officer
in the west.

I believe it's exactly
as the sergeant stated, sir,

the dispatches
arrived too late.

That's all, Lieutenant.

Mr. President,
I would like permission

for Mr. Sherman to call
a witness of his own.

Granted.

Sergeant Wells.

Sergeant Wells,
are you the mess sergeant

assigned
to Colonel Barrington's outfit?

That's right.
I'm behind the lines generally.

I ain't seen a battle
in 20 years of soldiering.

I sure saw this one though.

Did you see me on the hill
with the colonel?

I sure did.

I wanted to move the cook wagon
up near the hill,

figuring
that'd be safer.

And I seen you
try to give them

dispatches to the colonel,

just before
the fighting started.

And what happened?

He wouldn't take 'em.

He's lying.

[ gavel bangs ]

That's enough, Sergeant.

Oh, I wouldn't lie about
anything like this, sir.

Them Indians
didn't have a chance.

Squaws, kids, shot down
just like in a duck sh**t.

Sir, I wish permission to speak.

You're not to intimidate
the witness, Colonel.

I have no intention
of doing so, sir.

I merely wish
to clear up one thing.

This court
has made a point of my men

sh**ting down squaws
and children.

No one can lie
about that.

The Indian graves are
out there for anyone

who wants to see 'em.

And better the enemy
should lie in them,

Mr. Sherman,
than my own men.

General, we all know
there's no time in battle

to distinguish between
braves and squaws.

They dress the same,

and they're all capable
of using weapons.

Children too?

Children too,
Mr. Sherman.

Their b*ll*ts
unfortunately are just

as deadly as those of adults.

Also, they grow up to be
braves or squaws.

And our children
would be fighting them,

the same as we are.

Amen to that, sir.

Order in the court.

You've had your say, Colonel.

Do you wish to
challenge the witness?

No, sir.

Sergeant Wells
is a good soldier.

He's doing his duty
as he sees it,

just as I'm doing mine.

Yes, I did refuse
to accept those dispatches,

and I should be
thanked for it.

Our skirmish parties
were already advancing.

Without cavalry support,

they would have been
wiped out.

Do you mean to say they could
not have been recalled?

I mean to say, sir,
I don't honestly know.

To have found out
would have meant

risking the lives of my own men.

Colonel, lying under oath
is a serious offense.

Now why didn't you state
the whole truth

right from the beginning?

The result would have been
the same, sir.

I would not have
withdrawn from battle,

even if Mr. Sherman
had brought his dispatches

an hour before he did.

That's a strange statement

for a man of your service record
to be making, Colonel.

And it would be stranger
still if I did not make it.

There's only one way to deal
with the Indian problem,

full and total w*r upon them

at every means
at our disposal.

No one can negotiate
but b*ll*ts fired

from 100 ambushes,
and a tomahawk

in their back
is a poor substitute

for our lasting treaty.

The only good Indian is
a dead one, is that it, colonel?

I happen to think,
Mr. Sherman,

that my way is best
for our country,

and there are many men
of importance

who believe the same.

I love this land but in it,

the Indian
is a continuing menace.

The only continuing menace
I know of, Colonel,

are men like you,
murderers in uniform.

Sergeant!

Break it up!
Break it up!

Order in the courtroom!

Order in the court.

This is a court,
gentlemen,

not a place
for a barroom brawl.

We'll be in recess until 8:00
tomorrow morning.

Well, it seems to me, Chato,

that after what happened
in court today,

you've got nothing
to worry about.

My people have
told it to me, "Chato,

go see this punishment
for Barrington."

It'll be done.

Long time now you, me, friends.

So I tell you this now...

until there's
punishment for him,

we don't talk peace.

Post number five!

Sherman?What's up, Captain?

Some men from Barrington's
outfit helped him escape.

We'll need your help.
You too, Chato.

Escaped?

Maybe saw somebody free.

I prove to my people
you sincere now.

You help us find
Barrington, Chato.

Then I'll answer that question.

How?You know.

Bailey,
give Corporal Harris a hand.

Reece, Bell,
cover our flanks.

How is he?

Not good, sir,
the b*llet's still in him.

Sure, it's still in me.

Just haven't had time
to get it out, that's all.

Your surgical packet,
sergeant.

Whiskey, if you have it.

Easy.

Fifteen years, colonel.

Fifteen years
I've been shot at.

Blackfeet,

Apaches, Confederates.

The slug that does it to me
is government issue...

and in the back at that.

I know, corporal, I know.

[ coughs ]

[ coughs ]

Not very pretty,
is it, sir?

The front of a man
who's been shot in the back.

I've seen worse.

Nothing worse than a man
that's been...

shot in the back running away.

Corporal Harris,

we've both been the soldiers
too long

not to know the value
of a military withdrawal.

We've been in more than
one retreat together.

This ain't the
same, is it, sir?

Exactly the same.

You remember Manassas?

[ chuckles ]

We all ran away then,
didn't we?

Shilo, it was
a pretty fair retreat.

You were wounded
there, too.

And decorated,
weren't you, Tom?

Yeah.

Well, this wound is
every bit as honorable.

You're a fine soldier,
corporal.

I'm proud
to serve with you.

Thank you, sir.

You know, somehow
it don't seem to hurt so much--

Another good man gone,
k*lled by stupidity.

A shallow grave, Bailey,
beyond those boulders.

Reece and Bell
will help you.

The lieutenant
and I will stand lookout.

Yes, sir.

We shouldn't
take too much time, sir.

That patrol is
closing in fast.

We lost them an hour ago.

I wouldn't have stopped
if we hadn't.

That's right,
lieutenant.

Corporal Harris would have
died in the saddle.

Are you shocked?

Bell, Reece, come on.

We'll take these.

Yes, sir.

Thank you, sir.

They don't teach you
things like this in West Point.

No, sir.

The word "casualty"
in the military manual is...

well, there's
a difference.

Colonel, that was
very considerate,

the way you spoke
to Corporal Harris.

I simply told him the truth.

I happen to be one of those men
who believes with all his heart

that soldiering is one of the
noblest professions on earth.

Harris felt
that way too I think.

Yes, sir.

What about you?

Well, sir, I wouldn't have
enrolled at the Point

unless I did feel that way.

There's glory in it
and there's death...

in about equal amounts.

That may be.

Unfortunately, I haven't seen
too much of the glory.

You will, oh, not in parades
or anything like that...

but when one day
you look around this wilderness

and realize
you had a part in taming it.

Then you know a kind of glory
that's worth more than

all the medals
in the world.

Well, I hate to see
you leave, Chato,

but I don't blame you.

I must return
to my people.

Already the braves make rage
because our men

don't find Barrington.

SLIM: Can you stop them?

CHATO: Indian is angry.

We talk peace,
people are slaughtered.

Jess, it's Slim!

Jess!

Hiya, Jess.

Slim.

Hiya, Mike.

Oh.

Hey, you look kind of beat,
partner.

I am, Jess.

Bone tired
and plum out of luck.

Where's Daisy?

She's midwifing.
Miss Harris is due.

You know, you look
hungry enough to eat

some of my grub.

Sounds good to me.

Boy, you must
really be hungry, Slim.

Get in there.

All the peace talks
with the Indians

are really off, huh?

Yeah, and they even
suspect the army

deliberately freed him.

And I guess that means

the tribes are getting
in the hills.

It's bad,
Jess, real bad.

We got to find
Barrington to prove

we want peace.

Sounds like we're sitting
on a nice little powder keg.

So what do you reckon
when Daisy comes back,

we ought to take her
and Mike into town?

Yeah, I plan to.

You can take her,
she's a woman.

But I figure to stay on.

Just figure on doing
what you're told, huh?

[ g*nf*re ]

[ Indians yelling ]

You stay inside,
out of sight.

Okay, get inside.

Want an escort
back into town, Hank?

Not if they'll hit here again.

Just give me a fresh team,
that's all I want.

Get them unhitched,
Ernie.

Coming up, Hank.

Hey, who is your friend?
She looked kind of pretty.

Didn't have
a chance to find out.

Mike beat me to her.

Give Hank a hand, will you?

Thank you, kind sir.

You know, what you did
was very brave.

Well, that's all right.

Slim, can I pick up
some of those shell casings?

There sure was
a lot of sh**ting.

You pick 'em up
and we'll see.

How's that ankle?

Oh, it's fine,
I just turned it.

How long are you gonna
be staying in Laramie?

Well, not very long.
I'm just passing through.

HANK: Better get
loaded, we got to roll.

Well, thank you
for everything.

Thank you again.

Hey, wake up, part.
Your thoughts are showing.

Why is it the nice ones
are always passing through?

Slim!

Look what I found.

Why, it's a locket.

I found it over there
where the lady fell down.

Say, that's just
what you needed.

Well, now you can
take it to her.

Why, it's Barrington.

Colonel John Barrington.

Oh, howdy, Slim.

Howdy, George.
The town's kind of quiet.

Where's Sheriff Corey?

Well, him and about
everybody else

is looking for
that colonel.

Yeah, that's what I figured.

Any army men in town?

Not right now.

All of 'em ought to be
back come sundown though.

Uh, anybody lay over
off the morning stage?

Say like a young lady?

Mighty like one, Slim.

Name
Margret Ken, room 7.

Is she in?

As far as I know.

Right pretty girl,
friend of yours?

That's what I'm gonna find out.

WOMAN: Yes.
Who is it?

Miss Ken, it's Slim Sherman,

from the relay station
outside of Laramie.

I had to come to town,
so I thought

maybe you'd have
supper with me.

Well, Mr. Sherman, come in.

No, Mr. Sherman.

Looks like I made
a good guess.

That's where you're wrong,
mister.

It was a bad one for you.Wait!


He's one that caused
the colonel all this trouble.

You can bet he was trailing
you to find your father.

I'm gonna take care of him.

Father doesn't approve
of m*rder.

I wouldn't count on that,
Miss Barrington.

You're blind.

You're just like all the rest.

Am I?

I could see that
m*ssacre at Wounded Knee

pretty good.

That's quite enough.

Sorry, miss.

What are we gonna
do with him?

He's the insurance
that will get us out of town.

We'll take him with us
and let Father decide

what to do with him.

That's very good, miss.

You think more like
the colonel every day.

He'll be pleased
to get Sherman as a gift,

all tied up
with ribbons.

Then keep an eye on him.

Any word from Washington
for your father, miss?

Yes, I have word for him,
and the money.

Well, it's fine,
the colonel will be pleased.

Can I carry the money
and a message?

That's all right, Bailey,
I'll just put it in my bag.

I have to tell Father.
The message, it isn't written.

Ready?

On your feet, Sherman.
We'll use the side door.

One wrong move
and they'll carry you out

on a board.

Uh, Mr. Sherman,
please don't make this

any more difficult than
it has to be.

No, I don't think
you'd have to ask him

twice to put a slug
in my back.

That's about it, Sherman.

You're going to the
colonel as a gift,

and it's up to you
whether you get there

dead or alive.

Let's go.

Well, this is
where it happened.

The very spot, 25 years ago
during the winter detail.

I was the lieutenant then.
I've never forgotten.

That's why I chose
this cave here.

It's like making
good a promise to men

of your first command.

Did you come
that same trail, sir?

The snow was deep
and the cold bitter.

Then down from this cave
spring a dozen squaws, hungry,

shivering Indian women.

They wept.

They knelt in the snow
and begged for food.

They pointed up to this cave
and said there were

old women
and children starving...

but I was a young man then,
and it came quick.

I ordered my platoon
to ride up with food.

My sergeant advised against it,
said it was a trap.

I wouldn't listen.

I wanted to help those
starving Indian women.

Then braves appeared
from around those rocks

and opened fire.

It was slaughter.
Only a few of us got away.

Yes, I owe them something.

That's why I wanted
to start my campaign

from this cave, the way I feel
about the Indians began here.

At ease, corporal.

Oh, there's coffee inside.

I've had some, sir.

Good.

Checking stores, sir.What's the situation?

Arms and ammunition
are plenty,

food and water
for close to a month.

You miss your family,
don't you, Bell?

Well, yes, sir.

But being with you
makes it worth it.

Thank you, sergeant.

I know I can count on you.

They're good men,
Harmon, and loyal.

They believe in
what you're doing, sir.

Yeah, when the time comes,
I'll see they're well rewarded.

And when it comes,
I'll be ready.

Well, your plans for a campaign

against the Indians
are certainly complete, sir.

In detail.

I'm only awaiting word
from my friends in Washington.

Perhaps Madge
will bring those,

providing she and Bailey
made contact in Laramie.

You know,
I have a feeling, lieutenant,

that your interest
in Madge's arrival,

it goes beyond the news
she may bring.

Is it that obvious?

Around the edges.

You know, when this
campaign is finished,

seems to me there should be
a time for a wedding.

We'd like that, sir.

It's been a long wait.

Yes, it's been a long wait.

When a man believes
in something or loves someone,

delay is hard to live with.

But I guess the nation
is built by men

who take a stand,
fight for what they believe in,

no matter how long
it takes or how unpopular

they may be.

In the end,
you're either a hero

or a scoundrel.

But you've done your best.

Yes, sir.

MAN: Colonel Barrington, sir.

Come in, corporal.

It's a signal, sir,

there's a party
coming up the path.

Right, corporal.

Madge and Bailey, sir.

Excellent.

Well, full uniform,
eh, lieutenant?

We must look good
for Madge.

Yes, sir.

All right,
get down, Sherman.

Madge.

Well, the riding must have
agreed with you.

You look prettier than ever.

It's wonderful seeing you.

Have you
any news for me?

Yes, I have some news
and I have the money.

I knew I could count on you.

We'll talk later.

Your orders have been
carried out, sir.

You have a prisoner.

Well done, sergeant.

You seem to have
a knack of showing up

at the wrong time,
Mr. Sherman.

He was following
Miss Madge, sir.

We didn't want to leave him
behind to cause trouble.

In case you're interested,
colonel,

there are more than
a thousand men looking for you.

And you're the lucky one
to find me.

Well, actually, Mr. Sherman,
I'm glad you came here.

I want to talk to you.

I don't think we've got
anything to talk about.

I'll decide that,
and you'll listen.

I'm gonna warn you
only once.

If you try to escape
or in any way interfere

with what I'm doing here,

you'll be shot
without hesitation.

Bring him in.

I don't blame you
for the past, Sherman,

that's why I'm giving you
a choice.

Is this a recruiting
speech, colonel?

In a way,
I suppose it is.

As you can see,
my campaign if properly

ex*cuted is
bound to succeed.

Organized slaughter.

No, w*r.

A precise thought
of civilized man.

These notes here
were made during meetings

with Senator White,

with generals
and cabinet members.

They backed me
all the way.

That's why
I'm waiting here,

until a change is made in the
Military Affairs Department,

restoring my command.

If they can't find you
to take you back as a prisoner,

how are they gonna find you
to take you back as a commander?

Well, that's been
taken care of, Sherman.

Sergeant Bailey posted
a dispatch to the senator

when he was in Laramie.

Father?

Just a minute,
Madge, let me finish.

Join us now, Sherman,
you'll be serving

your country and yourself.

You may believe in
what you're doing, colonel,

but you're wrong.

And I'm going to do
everything I can to stop you.

You're a fool.
I could have you shot now.

Father.Just a minute, Madge.

There's something
I have to tell you.

I collected the funds
that you've asked for.

Thank you, Madge, I...

But there is
something else.

Senator White
and the others in Washington

want you to retreat
across the border into Canada,

and to await
word from them there.

I don't believe it.

It's true.

A special courier
contacted me

and unless you leave
the country,

there is nothing they can do.

They want me to
turn tail and run?

Their plan to reorganize
the Military Affairs Department

has--well,
it's been defeated.

No, and they were so sure...

encouraging me
to go out on a limb,

then letting a handful
of politicians saw it off.

We don't need them, sir.

Unfortunately we do.

Without their backing,
that campaign

isn't a worth the paper
it's written on.

Bailey, stop him!

Stop him, Bailey!

Stop him!

Fire!

After him!

Colonel.Are you all right?

Of course, I am.

Bring me a horse, Harmon.

I'm going to take care
of Mr. Sherman personally.

Yes, sir.
Sergeant.

If you're in the
mood for k*lling,

you're gonna have
plenty of company.

Sioux w*r party.

Get up here, Sherman,
I'll take you on behind me.

How many rounds
for each?

Two hundred, sir.Good.

Hold your fire
until they appear below

within close range,
understood?

Yes, sir.

This day will be
a day of revenge for those

brave men who were
k*lled here before.

See how Madge is
doing with Sherman.

Yes, sir.

Everything all right?Mm-hmm.

We're waiting for the
Indians to appear in the pass.

Another m*ssacre
by the great military hero, huh?

You'll speak
respectfully of my father.

Not as long as he lives
just for the sake of k*lling.

He's going to Canada,
he'll be out of it.

Will he?

Well, even if he does make it,

he'll live
for the rest of his life

with death on his conscience.

The death of hundreds
of people that'll die in a w*r

that he started
almost single-handed.

Well, that isn't true,
is it, Paul?

I don't know, Madge.

I only know you'll never
get him to go to Canada.

He must go.

Why must he go,
Miss Barrington?

Lieutenant Harmon?

Yes, corporal.

The colonel wants you, sir.
The Indians are in the pass.

All right.
You be careful.

Corporal.

Huh, real noble
kind of w*r, isn't it,

Miss Barrington?

Ambush and m*rder.

Mr. Sherman,
to save my father,

I wouldn't hesitate
to pull this trigger.

Get ready to fire.

[ g*ns c*ck ]

[ speaking in foreign language ]

Fire!

Cut them down!
Don't let them escape!

Let's see
some marksmanship!

They've found cover, sir,
we're wasting ammunition.

Keep firing!

[ g*nf*re ]

Sounds like they're
too smart

to fall
into your father's trap.

Well, that pleases you,
doesn't it?

If it'll stop your father, yes,
it does please me.

White flag, sir.

Cease fire.

Could be a trap, sir.

Don't worry.
I'll demand they parley up here.

They're signaling back, Bailey.
You'll go with me.

Watch us closely, Harmon,

at the first sign of treachery,
have the men fire.

Yes, sir.

They're probably Sioux.
Who speaks the dialect?

I'm afraid Sherman
is the only one, sir.

Madge!
Bring out the prisoner!

Mr. Sherman's
going to work for us

whether he wants to or not.

So it's you,
Colonel Barrington.

At your service, Chato.

You wish to parley?

You with them?

He's my prisoner.
You'll deal with me.

That is all?
Five, six?

With enough supplies
and ammunition to wipe out

your band, if you
attempt to take us.

I would, of course,
accept your surrender.

Wind blows not for you,
today wind for us.

This is a military parley,
not a wigwam visit.

Now if you wish to
parley in your own tongue,

my prisoner
here will translate.

Go make noise in tribe.

Now what is that
supposed to mean?

It's better
you surrender.

[ laughs ]

Inform the chief
the parley is over.

Wait a minute.
Why, Chato?

Why should the
colonel surrender?

My braves, we go to gathering
place on ridge tomorrow.

There'll be many of us there.
When sun high, we ride to fight.

A battle?

Many battles,
'cause you, our braves

strike ranches, farms, towns.

Yes, w*r begins.

It should make you feel
very proud, colonel.

I welcome it.

That kind of w*r will make it
just so much easier for me.

Is there no way this
could be stopped?

Yes, let him pay for crime.

Would you escort the colonel
to the nearest army post?

I would do this.

That's enough.

I'd be a fool to surrender now.

You'd have hundreds
of your own people

k*lled instead,
is that it?

The prize of w*r is victory.

The cost of winning
it is often taken in lives,

Mr. Sherman, but lasting
peace will follow.

The parley is finished.

[ speaking in foreign language ]

I'm sorry you are with him.

If it's m*ssacre you want,
you'll get it.

Also those in cave.

Back inside, Bailey,
on the double.

Keep a sharp eye
on him, sergeant,

I'm gonna attend
to this wound.

I'll do it.

Bring Sherman
inside, lieutenant,

I want to talk over
my plans with you.

Yes, sir.

You'll be happy to learn,
lieutenant,

that the colonel is willing
to sacrifice all of us

for his cause,
including his own daughter.

Tomorrow there's gonna be


Doesn't bother him though.

After you, Mr. Sherman.

It's what I've wanted, Madge.

Throughout
the territory,

hostiles are gathering,
won't be long

until everything I fought
for is proved right.

You actually
want a w*r?

It's the only way out.

Father, it's a terrible price
to pay just for being right.

We'll hold our position
at all cost, lieutenant.

Madge will guard Sherman.

You and I will take up
r*fles with our men.

Yes, sir.

Colonel, there maybe
other hostiles coming.

Well, let them come.

We'll give a good account
of ourselves.

I'd like to talk to you.

Going to change
your mind now, Sherman?

No.
I'd like to change yours.

If you rode out with Chato
and me now,

we could stop those
attacks by tomorrow.

I have no intention
of stopping the attack.

Guard him well, Madge.

Have you ever seen
a full-scale Indian w*r,

Miss Barrington?

Civilians, soldiers,
men, women, children,

red and white,
they'll all die.

Show them we're here!

[ g*nf*re ]

Uh-uh-uh.

Good sh**ting, men.

Queue all those
horses, Harmon.

They'll cover you.Yes, sir.

Bailey.

Keep them busy, men.

[ g*nf*re ]

He made it, sir.

Prepare the cover.

[ g*nf*re ]

He's coming back.

Lieutenant has been hit, sir.

He needs help.
Can I try for him, sir?

No, sergeant, we can't
afford another casualty.

We need every fighting man
we've got.

If Harmon
is strong enough to fight,

he's strong enough
to find his way back.

Try to pick them off.

You keep yourself from
sh**ting me in the back,

maybe I can help him.

Father wouldn't allow you to.

So the lieutenant is k*lled

because of your father's stiff
necked ideas, huh?

You ought to be
real proud of him.

All right.
Please try to help him.

Stop him!

No, he's only trying
to save Paul!

Your idea?

Yes, it was.

Keep firing!
Give him a chance!

It's all right, Madge.

Cease fire.
We've driven them back for now.

Bailey.

Bailey.

Bailey, let me see.

Don't bother, sir.
I'll be all right.

Check your ammunition, Bell.
Keep an eye on them.

They'll be back.

Yes, sir.

You go ahead, sir.

You ordering me
around, sergeant?

Now keep it
quiet in the ranks.

I have got to
patch you up.

Is it worth it,
Miss Barrington?

He's a man
dedicated to death.

He'll k*ll hundreds of people
including the man

his own daughter loves
if it serves his purpose.

It's all for nothing.

But I can't tell him.

What can't you tell him?
Believe me, it's now or never.

I so hoped I could get him
safely into Canada

before I had
to tell him but...

he won't listen, he--

Darling,
if it's important enough,

we can make him listen.

Oh, Paul.

Senator White and the
important men backing him,

not only have they withdrawn
their support

but they've branded him
a traitor publicly.

I received this
letter from Senator White.

Is what you told us
is in that letter?

Yes.

Then you've got
to give it to him.

Oh, I can't,
I just can't.

If you won't, I will.

No!Madge.

He's got to know.

Sooner or later,
he's got to know.

Don't talk to me about
slaughter, Sherman.

Bailey is dead.
Fine soldier and a loyal friend.

Better than a thousand
of your redskin friends.

I'm sorry to hear that.

But like you said,

that's the risk a man
takes in w*r.

Yes, and when I am finished,
they'll never have

to take anymore risks
like that.

Too many good men
like Bailey have died

because of the Indians.

I've had enough
of k*lling.

It all began right here
in this very spot 25 years ago.

And this is
where's it gonna end.

You daughter was afraid
to show you this.

But I think it's about time
you know the truth.

What are you talking about,
Sherman?

This ought to make it
plain enough.

"From the office
of Senator White,

Washington D.C.

Colonel John Barrington,
Fort Laramie.

Contents of this
communication have been

made public
in order to dispel rumors

that I and my associates
have ever

in any way supported
you on your plans

for an all out campaign of w*r
against the Indians in the west.

It is sincerely believed
by right thinking men

that your views are inhuman
and if carried out

will bring
disgrace to our nation.

Signed M.V. White,
United States Senator."

See for yourself.

I expect you're enjoying this.

No, I'm not.

For a man who's been
as wrong as you have,

I can only feel
sorry for you.

Spare your pity.

I'm not just
thinking about you.

What are you gonna do now?
Force your way into Canada?

Make fugitives of your men?
And your daughter?

No, I...

I have a different
idea in mind.

You will tell them
at Fort Laramie, Mr. Sherman,

that the responsibility
for the Wounded Knee

m*ssacre
was mine alone.

As for the men
who followed me here,

they only obeyed
my orders.

Tell Madge I'm sorry
for what's happened.

If I can save her life,
mine won't be completely wasted.

What are you going
to do, colonel?

Reece, Bell, hold your fire.

Mr. Sherman is
in command now.

Colonel!

No!

His last orders were
to hold your fire.

[ clicks ]

Slim!

Hello, trooper.
Don't you know the w*r is over?

We heard you stopped it.

Well, this might come as a shock
but I had a lot of help.

The Indians are talking

peace again now,
aren't they, Slim?

That's the main thing.

Yeah, they sure are.
Talks started this morning.

Well, what do they plan
to do with those men

that went with
Barrington?

It looks like the army
is gonna discharge them,

for the good
of the service.

Yeah, their big mistake
was obeying orders

from the wrong man.

When are we going home, Slim?

I'm getting tired
of staying in this hotel.

You know,
I'm thinking the hotel

probably feels pretty close
to the same way about you.

Like bunking with a cougar
in a chicken coop.

[ chuckles ]

Well, Mrs. Cooper
is taking a nap right now.

She's plum wore out
from this little wild Indian.

You're the Indian!
I'm the trooper!

Whoa, whoa, now.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.

The fighting's over.

Let's settle down

with some nice peace
and quiet, huh?

Let's get Daisy
and go home.