01x31 - The Major Adams Story (2)

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Major hit.

I'm going out there.

You stay where you are.

You stay right here

and get busy with that right.

Your arms out.

You could do anything you want.

I'm going to have

we invite

the snow, the mud and the high mountains.

Now, as we moved into the arid wastelands
of Arizona, the heat was almost a relief.

Barely pulled the train up
as usual at this point of our trip.

Some folks aboard
would be asking why we were stopping.

I'd never given it
much thought one way or the other.

It was always
Bill Hawks who brought my horse up.

He and Chuck had gone through the motions
so many times before.

There was nothing to say.

And they didn't cry.

They knew I wouldn't be gone long,
just long enough to sit

with someone who had been so close to me.

I had often thought
how much these human months meant to me.

I guess you never will forget it.

No, I suppose not. Some people never do.

You're right.

The Major.

Oh, he'll be back in a couple of hours.

Where to go back in his life?

A couple of years, I think.

Desert

country like this can be the most peaceful
or the loneliest,

depending on the reason
for your being here.

It's mostly dry and barren,
with a sun beating heart on your face.

It's a hard country,
hard on man and a beast.

But as a proud stubbornness
about this desert country,

the people who live in it and the plants
and life that survive on it,

it's almost as though
they would define nature

to take away their right to live.

But I guess it's like Charlie says,
when your time

runs out the hands of the clock stop

and no amount of begging,
pleading or praying starts them up again.

Nobody knows when or why, but

sooner or later, time gets to us all.

It takes us wrapping us in its arms
and carries us off,

leaving behind only the memories
we create in the hearts of others.

The memories stay with you.

They take you back in time, in my case,
to an earlier wagon train crossing

that I was leading into a stagecoach
headed west

bearing Rainey Webster.

Webster.

But wondering what a lovely young woman

like you would be doing traveling out here
so far away.

My long wait from Pennsylvania took me.

I lost my husband during the w*r.

I'm sorry.

I guess
I'm like a lot of people these days.

Priceless.

You see, my brother
in law made arrangements for me

to join a wagon train going west.

Oh, I know.

That case will undoubtedly
be seeing a good deal of each other.

Oh. Oh.

Oh. All right.

This way, folks.

We've got a good hot meal
all waiting for you.

Well, since that road is as dusty
as it is long, I think Mr.

Webster here would appreciate a chance
to freshen up a bit.

Certainly would. One?

Yeah.

So the old lady, Where to wash

your hands?

Face,

wash,

wash. Oh.

How much time do we have?

Oh, just time to eat and change
horses, ma'am.

Of course.

With young ladies aboard,
you may be held up as.

We don't get a chance to see
pretty things like that

around here.

Thank you.

Me? Just take this table

here, will you, sir?

Thank you.

That's.

You all right?

Yes, I'm fine.

I guess I'm just feeling the death,
that's all.

I wish you'd really try and eat
a little more.

A person should keep up their strength
on a trip like this.

I'll be all right, Colonel. Okay.

Ha, ha.

I see our traveling companions
haven't lost their appetite,

Mrs. Webster.

Well, while I have this opportunity.

May I just say how glad I am that
we writing the same stage together?

You have made an otherwise tedious trip.

Most enjoyable.

Thank you, Colonel.

It's nice of you to say that.

It's only the truth, man

of stage before.

Well, as they say, no rest for the wicked

nor the weary.

Nothing to see, isn't it?

Certainly is.

Back in Pennsylvania.

One gets thinking
the world just isn't large enough anymore.

Pleasant change.

You'd have like my home and Kentucky

was, like, out there.

Only green.

One. So green.

Strain your eyes on a clear day.

Right now, I'd.

I'd welcome a little strain of that.

Could

you ever seen so much wasteland?

Yes, but it won't always be that way.

Someday it'll be fertile and prosperous,

making money for men
the right kind of men.

That is a big job.

Be done.

Take my word for that.

Hey, boy,

if you minute. Hmm.

Those are most welcome words
I've heard in days.

I heard a pair of dancing girls

from Abilene on that stage
while I drink up and give them a welcome

back to town.

Oh, they're letting down all of them
any harm.

They'll dry out long
before we get to the next town.

And they doubt that our

boys are able to mop up the floor with you

pulling in a few minutes ago.

You heard the man, Major dancing girls
all the way from Abilene.

Doors that way.

I know that.

Haven't.

Right.

Haven't you had enough?

Is there enough,

Charlie?

You know, if those dancing girls
ever get a look at that face yourself.

Able to get right back on that stage
and go home?

We got a couple of passengers
coming on that stage.

Maybe we ought to go. Welcome home.

I'm honestly

worried.

Yeah.

You'll have to forgive the boy,
but he must fancy you.

Keep your hands. Yes.

Looks to me
like you're pretty quick with a g*n, Mr..

The law here, sir.

If I was, you can bet your bottom dollar
I wouldn't be just standing here.

He went for his g*n.

There was nothing else I could do.

One shot will usually stop a man.

Sometimes you'll live to tell about it.

But that wasn't your idea, was it, Mr..

I don't intend to vindicate my actions
to you or anyone else.

I shot this man in self-defense.

As far as I'm concerned,
That's good enough.

Hold on a minute.

Your name?

Hillary. I'm Colonel Hillary. Yes.

I'm Seth Adams. Oh,

you've got my letter, then, About John
and your wagon train.

I got it.

All right.

Oh, May I present Mrs.

Webster?

Mrs..

Mrs. Webster.

I'll get you a luggage if you wish.

I'll see you to the hotel.

Thank you. But

Major Adams and I haven't seen each other
in a long time.

As you say.

Just one more thing.

Since we're both traveling alone,
I'd be more than honored

if you'd ride in my wagon
with me in the morning.

You know the Major.

I've already made arrangements
for Mrs. Webster.

Oh, Johnny, get Mrs.

Webster's luggage.

It's Hilary.

You don't get a move on.

You won't be going with us in the morning.

You're going to waggon
horses and supplies today.

If there's any left,

I'll be
ready in the morning, I assure you.

Good day, Mrs.

Webster.

Luggage.

Better.

Hello, Major.

I had Joe, and I had to get a room
for this young lady.

She's going to join our train
in the morning. Sorry, Major.

I let out the last one last night.

You haven't got a room in the place.

See for yourself, Major.

Well, I don't care to look at your

watch, said Charles.

Be Wooster.

You mean a little?

Ross got himself a room to sleep
in last night.

Major, Give me the key.

But, Major, the policy show.

Give me the key.

Yes, Major.

You better send somebody out to clean
that room.

It'll meet it.

Yes, Major.

Well, Charlie, we're still.

You're
all right. There's no doubt about that.

I feel
badly about putting your friend out.

Oh, don't you worry about that.

I'll trade him.

Can you imagine that little cut

right in his upper room just so I
can sneak a night's sleep on a real bed?

Well, that's my boy, Wooster.

Well,

I guess I bought it. How?

I see that children
get cleaned up right away

and I said

I still can't believe it's you.

All right, Renee.

It's all right.

I thought you didn't count.

It was in the paper,

said the child.

That why you didn't wait for me?

You know, that's why

I only read.

I was beginning

to think
there was no good left in the world.

I was wrong.

Very wrong.

I know.

I heard about your marriage.

My husband was

k*lled five days before surrender.

I'm sorry.

I didn't know.

But if he was good enough for you
to marry, he must have been a fine man.

You're married? No.

That was my father's ring.

My mother gave it to him
when they were married a long time ago.

And why?

Why did it have to happen the way it did?

Sometimes it's better

not to try to find all the answers.

I think that's

the only thing that kept me going

after that last day with you.

I can

honestly say I'm sorry.

Rang me. Here, let me help you.

I hear that

I was just reading where President Lincoln
is calling for 75,000 volunteers.

Oh, and if that outfit of mine
decides to volunteer in mass,

I'll be going with him.

You mean that little group you train with?

Yes. Yes, I know.

It's just a militia group, a terrifying
corps, a man riding well trained.

It'll do themselves proud in any battle.

Really, sir,
You sound as if you want to go to w*r.

Oh, that's about the last thing I want.

Ready.

But it's like Mr.

Lincoln says,

if this country is going to be strong,
it's got to remain united

and only be one government,
one people under one flag.

Yeah.

Yes, I suppose so. But

it seems that the same thing

could be accomplished
without fighting each other.

Well, sometimes not raining,

sometimes in spite of how a man tries
to stay out of a fight,

he ends up with cross swords.

I'm not asking you to understand.

Or any

maybe no woman can understand a thing
like this.

I don't know.

All I know is

I love you.

I want you to marry me today.

Now, before I have to leave,

you ask me that

and then walk out that door

and maybe never come back again.

No. Said

no. It's not fair.

Not when you don't have to go.

Our country's at w*r

inside of every man's able

knows what he's got to do.

So does every woman

here don't belong in it.

There are other men that are younger
that are willing to go

if have lived in this country
longer than the next fella.

That's all the more reason
why I should fight hard.

I'm sorry, sir.

No, my feelings.

You won't change your mind.

I guess that's all I can say.

Goodbye, right,

sir? And why?

You know,
if I die, I would just sit there thinking

when this w*r is over,
I'm going back home.

I'm going to get me a nice little winter.

I want to settle down.

No more drinking, no more gambling.

Just going to live a quiet life.

You're a married man, so I.

Yeah, I sure am.

Tell me, what's it like?

Well, it's mostly down with someone

sharing things.

Of course, that isn't all.

I got a letter from family today.

Oh, I'll read you some of it.

Oh, yeah?

And she says,

And I wish you would write a letter
to President Lincoln or somebody

and tell them
you've just got to come home.

The fence needs
mending the well needs cleaning the roof

needs patching, the windmill needs
grease in the barn, they call it.

After listening to that,

you know that drinking and gambling,
they do bad after all.

Well, Charlie,
maybe I best read some more to you

And Bill, even if there wasn't
a single thing that needed fixing,

I still wish you were home.

I wish it more than anything in the world.

I remember our days together,
and you're all I think about.

And I guess all I'm living for now
is to have them back once again.

That was mighty, mighty pretty.

We're excited.

But, you know, I'm a little doubtful
about that first part.

You don't have anything to worry about,
Charlie.

What do you mean?

With a face like that,

Sergeant, I want you to, like, in
plenty of women crazy about this outfit.

I'll take your word for it.

Just keep polishing that r*fle
and maybe someday

you'll be wearing a couple of stripes
on a sleeve of your

stripes.

You said.

All right.

I don't envy you fellows ever go broke.

Why don't you go crawl off somewhere?

All rise again.

You shouldn't throw your money away
that way, soldier.

That's why you lose it.

Who said I'm losing?

Well, if you ain't, you will be.

You fellows ought to be ashamed.

You don't take money of a big kid
like this.

Look, cactus face
one more crack out of you and I'll.

You will want no.

Oh, now pick yourself up.

You know,
you got the strength right now for you.

I'm a great guy. Got it, Charlie. Hold it.

All right, what's going on here?

But our teachers all went back
to keep his mouth shut.

Sorry, Junior.
Somebody's going to jam his foot in it.

Well, I'll be all right,
Stanton. Be on your way.

I'll take you out. It.
I sure don't envy any sergeant.

Why don't you learn
to mind your own business once in a while?

But all I did was just Shut up.

Straighten up that uniform,

Sergeant Hawkes.

Yes, sir.

Commander, please.

At ease.

Double

Bill, I'd like you
to go over these supply lists.

We won't have time to do it
in the morning.

Does that mean we're moving out, Major?

That's right.

I just got the dispatch.

Yes, sir.

Say, where did we get that?

The replacement,
sir, came in two weeks ago.

Must be digging
into the bottom of the barrel.

More like scraping the barrel, I'd
say, sir.

I guess so.

Yeah.

Well, I

rate it out.

Dollar scrub face.

Oh, boy.

You got a lot of nerve. Real nerve.

He's bluffing, soldier.

Go ahead, chicken back.

Why don't you shut up
and let me play my own hand?

Looks like somebody should.
You sure don't know how

I Sit down, Pop.

Pop. Why, you,

boy? How.

Why don't you try me?

Besides, Alton,

Sergeant.

Heart attack. Hey,

Sergeant, you're supposed to be in charge
of this platoon.

Yes, sir.

Is this the way you handle them
when I send you back here for a rest?

Now, sir, your men are so full of hate,
I suggest that they save it for the Reds.

Yes, sir. What do you see?

All I can see is that you're going to lose
those stripes.

Now, who started this

later, sir?

That pot washer over there
took a cut of me for no reason at all.

Oh, you ain't got enough.

Yeah, but, Major, I said attention.

Yes, sir.

What's your name, soldier?

Private Wooster, Sir Charles B Wooster.

But honest
Major, you're supposed to be at attention.

Yes, sir.

From all I can see, you're
not much of a man, let alone a soldier.

You get that beard, Turner, that uniform
cleaned up before readily, You understand?

Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

You've got a lot to learn, soldier.

Sergeant Hawkes.

Yes, sir.
See this soldier to his quarters?

I'll hold you responsible
for his appearance at Readily

Soldier through with him.

Report to my quarters.

Yes, sir.

Why don't you pick on somebody
your own size just once?

Me? Why You were here. You saw why?

Don't make excuses to me.
You heard what the major said.

But he never gave me a chance to explain,
I guess.

Well, now, isn't that just too bad?

Maybe you'd like me
to bring the major back here.

No, no, I don't want more ham.

Come on, Wooster.
It's time to get you cleaned up,

Sarge.

Knox boarding, sir.

And Private Wooster.

Wow. Private Wooster.

It's a great relief to me to see that
you do have some kind of a face

beneath that brush you had.

But where in blue blazes
did you ever get that uniform?

It was easier to me, sir.

What happened?

Did you lose that much weight
since you got it?

Oh, no, sir.

I gained

Private Wooster.

Did it ever occur to you that that uniform

you were wearing represents
the country that you're fighting for?

Yes, sir.

No, sir. Well, I mean you.

Well, what exactly do you mean?

Well, I mean, sir,
I never gave that very, very much thought.

Well, maybe it's time you did.

Yes, sir.

And stop saying Yes, sir. Yes,

Private Wooster,

you've already

come through one battle with us,
and you're lucky you're alive.

But there's going to be more battles,
bigger and rougher ones.

And if you're going to come through.

All right, you better start to shape up.

Your conduct Last night was a disgrace
to this entire company.

You know that, don't you?

Well, Major told me not to say

Yes, sir. Sir.

Sergeant Hart,

what kind of a report
do you have on this man in battle?

Well, sir, he's brave enough,
but it's just that it's just a flat.

Well, Major, after three days of battle,
I'd be willing to bet my life

that he didn't come within 20 feet.

It one of them ribs. Oh,

Is there anything wrong with your eyes,
soldier?

Not a thing, sir.

Beg the makers pardon, sir.

It's just that
Wrightsville is such an awful shot

that any true Sergeant,
you're an attention.

At ease, men.

I said at ease.

I heard you, sir.

Then why don't you do what the major says?

That's no way to stand.

All right, Bill. It's all right.

Private Wooster,

one of the main duties of a commanding
officer

is to know what kind of work
his men are suited for.

Now, aren't you, Sergeant Hawk's report?

I think perhaps we'd better
find some other kind of duty for you.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

Well, my name is Charles Brewster,
and I come from Mound City.

I know your name, Private.

What I mean is,
what kind of work have you done, if any?

Oh, all kinds. Awkward.

Well, what, for instance?

Well, I've cleaned out livery, stables,
so about saloons, which are cattle.

And I would a cook.

A boy. Who.

You mean a cook? Yes, sir.

How would you cook?

By the Benton Mining Company.

And one night after dinner or. Oh, Mr.

Benton, God rest his soul,
he up and died on me.

Oh, I see. I.

I hope it wasn't because of your cooking.

Oh, no, sir.

I'll.

I'll.

That'll be all private.

I said that would be all.

You're dismissed.

Yes, sir.

On private business,
you better stop by the supply tent

and see if you can find a uniform
that comes somewheres near you.

Yes, sir.

Just don't use right medical budget
any more, Bill.

All the soldier in the world
isn't going to change your money.

Yeah. Why did I have to draw?

Well, Bill, we.

We do need a cook.
What do you think about it?

Oh, no.

You be taking an awful chance
there, Major.

Well, let's take that chance.

Assign him to the cook staff,
but keep an eye on him.

All right. Well, I'll be officer.

Yes, well, that's all.

Pardon me, Major.

I got a letter from Emily
and she said to say hello.

Oh, thanks, Bill.

Give my best to her.

How is she?

Still nagging,
but it's not as noisy this way.

I imagine you could use a little
of that noise right now, couldn't you?

I sure could, Major

dearest,

I pray the flattery to heal
and find you safe and well.

I'm sending my love.

All the love I'll never have.

I've been such a fool.

I've heard it said that women

can see nothing
other than what is in front of their eyes.

I guess I'm
the shining example of this statement.

If only we've been able

to spend those last days together

as man and wife.

And that would have been
enough to last me a lifetime

as it is.

The only thing I've had a heart aches.

I thought you said,

I love you so much.

I always will

keep you to protect you.

I'll be waiting for you,

my love always

and always

ready

yourself a major

for supper.

Oh, yes.

Put it on the table and show it,

Charlie.

Yes, sir.

Can't you ever cook anything else
besides two?

Oh, I could cook a lot of things, sir.

Like what?

Well,
the way the supplies are coming through,

I know,

I know.

And this is supposed to be coffee,
I guess.

Yes, sir.

You made it

out of what?

Well, I.

Oh, never mind, Charlie.

I know your problems
under existing conditions.

I guess you do a pretty
good job. Thank you, Major.

Pardon, sir.

It's all right, Bill. Come on in.

At ease.

I've just been reading your report here
on Private Wooster,

and I might add
that I'm pleasantly surprised.

You say here
that in spite of conditions in the field,

he still maintains a competent and clean
mess.

Yes, sir.

You finish up
by recommending him for a promotion.

Yes, sir, I do.

What do you think of that, Brewster?

I'd be very proud.

Be very proud.

You're actually army, Charlie.

I like it here with you.

Inside, you talk.

All right, Charlie, you're dismissed.

Thank you, sir.

That's quite a little man.

His name one of the best, sir.

He really is.

Belle.

I think I'll accept your recommendation.

Thank you, sir.

Yes, Come in,

Major Adams.

That's me.

What is it?

Dispatch from General headquarters, sir.

Will it be an answer, sir?

No, No,

no, thanks. That'll be all.

Yes, sir.

Orderly

Pass the word to Sergeants Miller, Hawks
from Platoon and report to me at once.

We're moving up.

Are you sure of it?

I don't like it.

What do you mean, Major?

Too quiet.

I want to volunteer for a reconnaissance.

I'll go, sir.

Jolly good cooks are too hard to fight.

I'll go, sir.

All right.

Bill and I had to go across that pond.

We'll keep you covered as best we can.

Keep low and take care.

Right, sir?

Yeah.

So if you're coming in,

I wish that Hawk should get back

any time.

Who's your partner? You're talking now,

Major.

You need help, Major.

Somebody Your father may be cut down
before they get to England.

You just can't let him die
on this, mister.

You try that once more
and you'll get a court marshal.

You could do anything, you mean?

Well, I'm going to have to.

All right.

Prepare for amputation of both legs.

Can you hear me?

Can you hear me?

Can you hear

me? Or.

Or am I just behind the Lions
hospital tent?

My name is Jenner.

Doctor Jenner.

I remember

social networks.

How is he?

We have no record of a Sergeant Hawkes.

That's why

they've been notified.

I'm afraid that's been impossible.

See, we don't even know your name.

Yeah, Yeah.

All right.

Hey, Miss

Adams,

Major Adams

and as

that's all the time for that.

Later. Ouch.

That's.

That's all right.

The time for that.

Hey, our forces are so scattered,
we probably couldn't get word to them

anyway.

Oh, I see.

Major Adams, I.

I'm afraid I have some bad news for you.

All this.

Doctor, it's your leg.

Eggs.

Just don't.

Don't, don't strain.

Yes, it entirely torn up.

Canister.

I don't hear anything.

It just. It.

The nerves are dead.

Even at best.

You'd never be able to walk again.

What do you mean it best?

I'm sorry, Major,
but your legs must come off Both of them,

Doctor.

Neither you nor

any man.

I'm not going to cut my legs off.

I know how you feel, Major Adams.

Believe me, I do.

But unless they come out,

you haven't one chance in a thousand

millions talking anymore, Doctor,

Even if it's 1000000 to 1 says

have to take that chance.

I think you would to.

All right, Major.

We'll wait another 24 hours.

But, Major Adams,

you may not last through that 24 hours.

I'll say that.

We'll see.

You're going to Major Adams here.

Major, Major Adams.

Well, I'll be.

I told you, there's
no one within a kilometer.

It's good to see you, Major. Real good.

Good to see you, Bill Crawley.

You know, I.

I was missing in action.

I knew they were wrong.

Seems like I didn't know much of anything
for quite a while.

Surely. How bad is it, Major?

Well, they.

I me, you know, pretty good now.

All except my legs.

A few weeks ago,
they were talking about cutting them off,

but I didn't like that idea. I

know the doctors.

Maybe I will look again.

You got those letters
to explain the letter?

Yeah. I can make you.

Captain Wesley gave me these
in case we find you

will just mark them.

Return to sender.

You, please, if you'll open them.

It's not much point trying

to start me thinking

how long My ship doesn't have
any right to think.

I guess especially about the person
who wrote to us

lying in the hospital these past months.

I've done
a lot of thinking about a lot of things.

I guess mainly about my leg.

Now, for the first time, I had to stand

and try to use them.

I thank God for three things

Bill Hawkes, Charlie Wooster,

and I still had my leg, good or bad.

I still had them.

Well,
I take it you boys are out of the army.

The finest tailors of Anna.

Well, maybe he just didn't
have the finest subject. Charlie.

So the major is your railroad ticket.

Oh, thank you, Bill.

No, I hope she sees things the way I do.

She? Well, Major.

No, I never answered any of her letters.

She'll understand.

I also say, Boys,
I got a surprise for you.

I've been thinking about it long time.

I'm going west.

New country, new faces, fresh start.

I'd like to have the both of you with me.

What do you think? Well,
it sounds good to me, Ray. Great.

What about Emily, Bill?

Why, Major?
You know how she feels about you, Charlie.

I'm halfway there.

Well, it's a deal, but we got to get it.

I guess

I knew long before I knocked on his door.

When?

I don't know exactly,
but somewhere, something inside me

told me she wouldn't be there.

I remember the doctor at the field
hospital

telling me
my legs would have to come off her.

I wouldn't live through the night.

I refused, taking my chance with a chance

that I had to live or die with.

This was different.

I had fought to survive.

Fought to live, and for heart.

It was as though all I had done,
all I had been

through, had been laid to waste.

Maybe only a swell of loneliness.

Major.

Major Adams,

did you see your major?

No, Charlie,

I didn't share.

Afraid I never.

Well, what do you mean?

She's.

She's married.

Married? But I thought. Be quiet, Charlie.

It's all right. No,

I thought the same thing myself.

Well, maybe.

Maybe there's some mistake.

No, there's no mistake, Bill.

I guess she just couldn't wait.

What are you going to do?

I don't know, Bill.

Katie has a right to change her mind.

I just answered those letters.

But what about California, Major?

Are we still going?

I don't know, Charlie.

I don't know.

One letter, that's all.

That's all I needed.

Just one letter to prove that my

my prayers have been answered.

That you were still alive.

Really?

I never blamed you.

And after all,
I even stop blaming the w*r.

I guess that's when I quit trying to find

all the answers

with such a fool.

I know that now, sir.

My husband was a fine man

In many ways.

He was a lot like you.

We hardly had a chance
to even know each other,

though

my selfishness cost me,

the only thing I ever loved is.

Can you understand that?

I can understand. Renee.

If you had

all things come to

an end as they did for you and me, Rainey.

But many things happened in the moments
between warm things,

exciting things, wonderful things. You.