Original subtitles

Go get the horses.

of brunettes. I've heard about them, but I've never seen them.

Well, will you look at that.

One's a sergeant, too.

Captain Arthur Terrell, 9th

Cavalry. We have soldiers who need attention. Is there a doctor?

I'm a doctor.

Thank you, ma 'am. We had a man in mind.

I'm the only doctor in town.

Who's the barber?

Me.

But I won't help you.

Captain, I have a clinic here.

Dr. Mike took care of Custer's men.

We're gonna need a place to billet.

Are there rooms above that store?

Yeah, but nothing you can use.

Soldiers are always camping in the field.

It's winter.

Well, you got blankets.

Don't you? We have the right to requisition housing for our troops.

Not these troops.

There's no room for you in this town. Why don't you just move on to the next

town?

There are rooms above my clinic.

It used to be a boarding house, but if you don't mind being crammed... Much

obliged, ma 'am.

This way, Captain.

Why do you think a white officer would want to lead a troop like that?

Probably not that sharp.

This is the only troop they'd give him to command.

Take care of this man first. He's my best shot.

This man's injuries are more severe.

You can wait.

Sergeant, what was your name?

Carver, Zachary Carver.

Sergeant Carver.

It's my job to determine which man needs treatment most, George.

What? We found her at Willow Creek.

Whole party she was with were killed.

Dr. Quinn, you think that engine's more urgent than my men?

What's she saying? Buffalo soldier. That's what a Cheyenne call these

Take her upstairs.

What are all these cavalry doing here?

If they could build it here.

But these are the ones she said killed her people.

Put her to sleep in my bed. I'll check on her at supper. All right.

Captain

Terrell?

Did your troops attack a group of Indian families at Willow Creek?

Yes, ma 'am, we did.

We were tracking a party of dog soldiers who blew up the railroad.

They took cover with those families.

I'm sorry, gentlemen. I'm afraid I spoke too soon in offering my runs.

I don't understand.

I wasn't aware of what you did.

We did our job, ma 'am, to protect the Kansas Pacific Railroad.

Railroad runs through Indian land.

They were given that land by treaty. The treaty's been rescinded, not by the

Indians. Don't matter.

But you're killing innocent families.

Can't be helped.

Orders are to kill anyone sabotaging the railroad, wherever we find them.

Do your orders include shooting little girls?

All right, that's the lesson for today.

When's our teacher coming back, Miss Dorothy? Oh, not for a few more weeks.

afraid you're stuck with me till then.

Now, before I dismiss you...

I want to remind you about the scholarship contest that the Denver Post

sponsoring.

You're going to take the test tomorrow.

And it's going to be in English, arithmetic, and history.

Now, here's the big news.

The five students in the territory that have the highest score in their age

group win a free trip to Washington.

Who's going to win? I don't know.

Every one of you has a chance to win. And if you do win, you get to visit the

White House.

And watch our Congress in session and see how our laws are made.

If someone wins, can they take their brother with them?

No, Brian.

But you know, you might win if you work hard.

All right, you're all dismissed.

Colleen, could I see you a minute?

You got a 72 in your history quiz.

That's the one subject you gotta work harder on.

And I can't remember dates.

I know everything that happened, but I can't remember if it was 550 B .C. or

B .C.

Have you tried making up little rhymes?

No, I tried everything.

Just keep repeating them over and over and over again till they're just set

stone.

Morning.

Morning, Sergeant.

It's good to have you all here.

Good to be here.

This needs fixing.

Worn pretty bad.

Same as the horses.

Two of them got thrush, one got worm.

Can't the Army do no better by you? We do the best with what we get.

Not a seven caliber.

Under custody?

Not easy.

Had some fine -looking horses.

Fancy saddles, too.

Maybe. There ain't one more metal than we have.

When they run into trouble, they call us in.

That right.

Sir, the Army's a place you can make yourself a name.

That's why I come out here.

Pacified Indians.

You don't hear about Zachary Carter.

Pacified, that a... another word for killer?

Whatever.

Indians ain't never done me no harm.

Wouldn't want to kill him.

Yeah, well, I wouldn't want to shoot nags the rest of my life, neither.

It's honest work.

No, you just get back to it, then. I'll be needing that in a moment.

You'll get him.

You're the test.

You just came in from Denver.

They gotta go right back on the mail pouch today.

So put your answers down in your best handwriting.

And remember, you're working for a trip to Washington.

You may begin.

Mr.

Tully.

We need a scout.

I hear you know the country as well as any Indian.

Interested?

No, thanks.

Credit can't help you.

Why is that?

I had things to do.

Oh, I hope about that So is this your brush her name's little feather

the people were killed coming down from the north Yes, you can you take her

she's nowhere else to go we'll find a way

It's

okay, you know no war

Who did this?

Buffalo soldiers.

The dark ones.

I hear they are strong fighters.

I came to warn you.

They got orders to kill dog soldiers and anyone with them.

You have dog soldiers in camp?

If you let them stay, the army will attack.

How do you know? They asked me to scout for them.

They're staying at my clinic. I invited them before I knew.

Now I must find a way to get them to leave.

No. Let them stay.

And you tell them you will scout for them.

Why? You will learn important information.

And so will you, if you talk to them and listen.

You mean spy?

Pretend to befriend them and then betray them?

What were you doing when you rode out here to tell us what you knew?

What's your thought?

Been rubbing this on you.

I ain't a tough old buzzard.

Captain Trill.

Sully.

Still needing a scout?

What about those other things you've got to do?

Turns out I ain't so busy after all.

We need someone who knows the Indian trails.

Or the camp. I'm your man.

As long as the pay is good enough.

Come see me at the clinic later.

The hell are you doing?

Well, if I'm scouting for them, then I'll be leading them, right?

I don't know what they're doing.

Right.

You've just come in.

I thought you'd want to see it.

Class, we just got word from Denver that one of our students is among

the five winners of the scholarship contest.

Who is it?

Congratulations, Colleen.

I heard an uncle went to Washington once, but he paid for it. Oh, we're so

of you.

Let's get moving. Ain't nothing wrong with you. I disagree with you, Sergeant.

Look at these bruises.

Gums are bleeding.

He's lost two teeth and more are loose. Yeah, well, he don't need no teeth to

shoot a rifle, do you, Winslow?

No such.

Winslow and me been riding together what? Six years.

Six years. Tough man.

And he has scurvy, as do some of your men.

Scurvy? What's that?

It's a severe form of malnutrition.

If it's not treated, it leads to internal bleeding and bone damage.

Well, how do you treat it?

With proper food.

Tomatoes, a healthy diet.

What do your men eat, Sergeant?

Jerky, salt pork, beans.

General Custer served prime beef and fresh greens in his tent.

He's a general, ma 'am. And his men ate better, too.

Oh, they did.

Well, I don't care nothing about Custer's men.

And the Army obviously doesn't care about yours.

But I believe you do, Sergeant.

And you must insist that they provide you with proper food like tomatoes. You

can't kill renegade Indians with tomatoes, Dr. Quinn.

We need horses, ammunition.

Sergeant Carver.

Yes, sir. They've been sighted. Telegram just came in. I'll get them in ready.

Winslow, come on now.

Yes, Sergeant.

about the telegram?

Well, yes.

Folks is all excited.

Do you think I might see it?

Oh, I gave it to Miss Dorothy.

Dorothy? Well, it was addressed to her.

No, wasn't there another one for Captain Terrell?

Oh, that, yeah. It came in just a while ago.

Did you happen to see what it said?

No, that's private. I can't tell you.

This is important, Horace.

Lives might be saved. I would never ask.

Sorry, Dr. Mike. I'd like to help you, but I took an oath.

Is this the pad you wrote it on?

Yeah.

You look pale, Horace.

Perhaps you'd like a little fresh air?

Gerald has got this from another regiment. They know where the dark

now.

We've got to get word to Clouddance. If I leave, though, they'll be suspicious.

I'll go.

Shoulder stamp.

Well, he's... He's showing them the road.

That's right.

Why? Aren't they going after India?

Yes, but he's not going to fight with them, is he?

No, of course not.

Are you behind me, Colleen? I'm going to Washington.

Colleen, that's so wonderful.

Congratulations. When do you leave? Next week.

Well, I'll see you.

I knew you'd do this.

Well, tonight I want to read you a book about Washington.

I'm so excited.

I'm so proud of you, Colleen.

The soldier's gone. I've got patients to see.

I'll help you.

No, you stay here with your friends.

This is a big day.

I saw you, Colleen.

What are you talking about?

You cheated on the test.

I did not.

Lots of it's wrong to cheat.

I knew everything on that test. I saw you cheat, Colleen.

Don't you dare say that again.

It's not true.

Get him. I wouldn't do that if I was you.

Why not?

They're just leading you into an ambush.

Go around them. No, don't listen to him. Why? We can't trust him.

Let's not lose him.

Charge!

He had a severe concussion and he lost a lot of blood.

The next few hours will be critical.

I should have listened to you.

I didn't trust you. I apologize.

You did what you thought was best.

At least this terrible campaign is over.

Over?

I assume without your captain, you won't be continuing your attacks.

Ma 'am.

Army regulations stipulate that when the commanding officer is injured or unable

to perform his duty, the command passes to the next highest ranking officer.

I'm in charge now.

cleaning, Winslow. You won't be able to fire it when you need to.

Yes, Sergeant.

What's he doing?

He's taking command.

He can't. Why not?

He ain't white.

All the colored troops are white officers.

Well, they're white officers lying in the clinic now.

If Burnett want to go kill engines, let him do it. I'm with you, Ryan.

All right.

You ride at first light.

Let me just say,

I've never been so proud to lead a group of men in my life.

This is a chance for all of us, gentlemen.

Dismissed.

Ask questions, listen to the men.

Try to make it look innocent and get word to Cloud Dancer.

I'll be glad when it's over.

I hate deception.

You all right?

I told you, boy, saloons, clothes.

I don't see no boy here.

I see 20 men, and they all got loaded rifles, and they're all crack shot.

Yeah.

Me dog soldiers, you kill.

Too many to count.

I guess if they're going to go kill engines, they need a little

Come on, man.

Come on.

Colleen, let's talk about your trip.

You can take some of the clothes you got in Boston.

Now, would you like to have a new hat when you go to the White House?

Is something wrong?

No.

You look sad.

I thought you were excited.

I was, by the... What?

Well, when I took the test, I was nervous about the history part and

dates mixed up.

So I wrote them down on a little paper, and, um...

You think you took the paper into the exam?

Everyone was expecting me to win.

I didn't want to let them down.

I wanted to be perfect.

Like you.

Me?

I'm not perfect. Far from it.

Did you ever do anything like this?

Cheat?

No.

Sometimes I wanted to, but I didn't.

Do you hate me?

No, Colleen. I love you and I'll always stand behind you.

But we do have a problem.

I really want to go to Washington.

You really think it's fair?

I knew all the answers. I would have won anyway.

I'm sure that's true, but you broke the rule.

No. You and Sully are breaking the rules.

What do you mean?

You're spying on the soldiers, taking their secrets to the Indians.

That's different.

Why?

Well, sometimes... Sometimes you have to lie or break the law for a higher

purpose.

You remember when I read you Thoreau's essay on civil disobedience?

Yes. He said the only duty you have is to do what you think is right.

And I think it's right for me to go to Washington.

He said you have to follow your conscience and be willing to pay the

He went to jail, remember?

For refusing to pay the poll tax?

What's that got to do with me?

Just follow your conscience, that's all.

You'll know what to do.

How's my horse doing?

Foot's a little better.

Good.

Good. Thanks for looking out.

Ever had a drink in the saloon?

No, sir.

Men are there now, getting served.

Why don't you walk on down with me? I'll buy you a whiskey.

What'll that prove?

Prove?

We got some respect.

I don't think the saloon's where you get that.

You ain't afraid of them, are you?

No, I ain't afraid.

But I know better than to go looking for respect there. Oh, that's right, that's

right. You got to live here. You got to get along.

But you understand, it don't matter how many stripes you wear, the medals you

got, they ain't never going to ask you into their house or let your children go

to their school.

Sure, they let you do that dirty work, that fighting, but they're still going

treat you like their boy.

Now, that's where you wrong.

When I joined up, there wasn't no colored sergeant. I got these strikes by

working hard, nothing else.

And that's what's gonna take me to the top.

Now, you change your mind about that drink, you come join us.

How are you feeling, Captain?

Better.

It hurts to move my head.

I'm dizzy.

I'll let you clear up in the next few days.

There doesn't appear to be any permanent damage.

Good.

Captain, I'd like to show you.

If you need me, I'll be downstairs.

I expect the dog's shoulder to be taken cover at the Cheyenne reservation.

They figure that we won't risk attack it back to everyone's home ground catch

them off guard

We're

gonna attack your camp at dawn are you sure of this you think you can get

everyone out before then the monster won nothing

There isn't time. He wants to ride out and head them off before they reach the

reservation. The women and children will stay here, and so should you. There

isn't time for you to return safely.

Don't be a fool. They're ready for you.

And why is that?

Don't matter why.

Look at the numbers. Nobody's going to win.

What's happened?

I think you better come.

Hold on. Hold on, Wingo.

Hold on to me.

Let me look at your wound.

You've been hurt. No.

But you've been shot. Please.

Just sit down.

Take it easy.

There.

Wendelow and me joined up together.

He said he shouldn't ride.

The bullet's in there very deep.

He's probably about to leave it there.

I'll disinfect the wound.

We'll check on it later.

It was like a brother.

Never had any real kinfolk.

Didn't know my mother. She was sold when I was a baby.

Ran away when I was 16.

Couldn't find a place to settle till I joined the army.

Ninth is the only family I ever had.

Now most of it's gone.

Maybe it's time for you to go, too.

Go where?

You're strong and able.

Not too late for you to start a family of your own.

You don't know what you're talking about.

The Army is the only place I ever found dignity.

The only place they ever talked to me with respect.

I take off this uniform, put away my gun, what am I going to do?

Shine shoes, walk behind a mule?

Outside the Army, what have I got? Nothing.

Dr. Quinn, what brought you out here?

How did you know where to come to help us?

I didn't come to help.

I came to warn the Indians.

You what?

I overheard your plans. I knew the reservation was full of women and

That's treason.

No, Sergeant.

I believe that your attacks on the Indians are uncharted.

And that it's my duty as a citizen to oppose them.

Let me ask you again.

How did you come to get here?

You must have rode out to visit a patient, or maybe you were on your way

somewhere else.

No, Sergeant.

I came here to warn the Indian.

Then you're under arrest.

You've got no right to put Dr. Mike in jail. Let our ma out.

She was aiding the enemy.

Ah, she thought you was helping the Indians.

You just don't stop like that. You've got to ignore it. I can't ignore it.

She contributed to the death of 11 soldiers. She didn't kill anyone. She

trying to help. It's crazy.

I mean, if there's a white officer, he'd never lock her up. Matthew, Sergeant

Carver did what he had to do, and so did I. You don't belong in prison.

You remember what Thoreau said?

If a government imprisons people unjustly, then the true place for a just

a prison.

Miss

Dorothy,

there's something I have to tell you.

Oh. Colleen, I'm so sorry about your mom.

I'm right in the middle of writing up an article. I cheated on the test.

Sergeant Carver.

Black Kettle would like to have a talk with you.

About what?

About a range and a surrender for the dog soldiers.

They'd like you to come out to the reservation alone.

Are you crazy?

I'll guarantee a safe passage. You will.

Every time we followed you, it's led to disaster.

Just think of how it'll look.

You bringing in the renegades, the white flag.

Where's Black Joe?

Taking it to him.

But I gotta tell you, there's no surrender.

You lied to me.

What do you take me for? I had to get you here somehow.

What for?

So that you could see these people, so you could talk to them, get to know who

they are. Against all military rules, you don't fraternize with the enemy.

They're not the enemy.

The army's using you.

They send you out here to shoot the Indians. The Indians shoot back.

The battle's over. Who's left standing?

I'm riding back.

Please.

Sit. Talk with him.

Please.

He says you fight with great courage, you have the spirit of a buffalo.

We honor your bravery.

Your men... Fight with great courage also.

Sully tells us you fought for your freedom in the Great War and won it.

Now we fight for ours.

We have no quarrel with you.

Why do you fight us?

I'm a sergeant in the United States Army.

Why are you catching him?

Captain Durrell.

Is he in pain? Does he need attention?

No. He's back in command.

Stand tall, soldier.

Sergeant Carver, what are the charges against this prisoner?

Sir, the charges are unsubstantiated.

Upon investigation, it appears that a mistake has been made.

Do you have no evidence?

No, sir.

I recommend the charges be dropped.

Very well.

You mean... You're free to go.

We ride out tomorrow to join the 6th Cavalry and renew our attack on the

renegade dog soldiers.

And this time we will prevail.

Sergeant, prepare the men.

Sir, I will not.

I beg your pardon.

Sir, I cannot in good conscience fight the Indians any longer.

Are you refusing an order, Sergeant?

Yes, sir.

Buffrel, arrest this man.

We'll take him to Fort Collins for court -martial.

You've been given an order, soldier!

I've come to check on his wound.

Thank you for doing what you did.

I never meant for the tables to be turned on you like this.

Didn't you say the only place for a just man is a prison?

Well, you have friends now.

We can help you. No.

No, I stand and face court -martial. Oh, you don't stand a chance.

I want to be your defense.

You just don't want to kill Indians anymore?

No, you'll be shot.

When a soldier's time comes, it comes.

I need to operate on this man. I left a bullet in his chest.

It's become infected. If I don't remove it at once, the infection will spread to

his heart.

I'm not going to take the bullet out.

That was the ruse. I have a plan.

I want to give you a tincture of opium.

What for?

It'll make you sleep, blow your heartbeat.

It'll look as if you're dead.

Your guards will be convinced.

And 12 hours later, it'll wear off.

Is it dangerous?

We have to be precise. If I give you too little, it won't work.

If I give you too much, you won't wake up.

Let's see.

If you get caught, you'll be shot for eating a fugitive.

I know.

I want you to leave now.

No, I'm staying.

I want to help.

I don't want you implicated in this. You're going to Washington. No, I'm not.

I told Miss Dorsey the truth.

You did the right thing.

But I don't want to risk you getting shot. You must go now. Please.

Sergeant Carver.

Go ahead.

You're going to die anyway.

Captain Terrell.

Come inside.

Yes, what is it?

Bury him.

No honors.

We'll tell Robert E. to bring a coffin.

It's good.

We took up a collection.

This should help you until you find work.

She's a good marriage. She'll take you far.

I'll pay you.

Someday.

You already have.

I don't know how to thank you.

Doctors should thank you.

Take care of yourself, sir.

Good luck.

Go on.

You'll make it.

You've got to.

It's not going to be easy. That's for sure.

You'll make it.