Original subtitles

Four in gray who served Varina.

Contact M. Jaydee, Palace Hotel, Lodi Wells.

Fare enclosed.

Looks like him.

Yep, fits his description all right.

Go ahead.

You got an M. Jaydee staying here?

Last room, top of the stairs.

Thanks.

Who is it?

Johnny Yuma.

You may come in.

Beg your pardon ma'am,

a clerk at the desk said I'd find M. Jaydee here.

I am Mrs. Jefferson Davis.

Yes, ma'am.

♪ Johnny Yuma was a rebel ♪

♪ He roamed through the West ♪

♪ Did Johnny Yuma, the Rebel ♪

♪ He wandered alone ♪

♪ Johnny Yuma ♪

You received my letter?

Yes ma'am, took some time reaching me.

I've been drifting since the war.

This is one of the letters I sent out.

During the war, you took part in a secret mission

designated as Varina.

Can you tell me for whom the mission was named?

For yourself, ma'am, the president's wife.

Tell me its purpose.

Please, Mr. Yuma.

In defeat, friends frequently become enemies.

My husband has been in prison almost two years.

There are still those southerners

as well as northerners who'd like him to be killed.

Northerners because he led the secession.

Southerners because they think

that he surrendered too quickly.

I've got to be certain that you're not one of them.

Mission Varina was a secret try for peace.

A meeting between two representatives

of President Lincoln and President Davis.

Chance to stop the killing.

Four men accompanied our representative.

How were they chosen?

Well we were recommended by our commanding officers.

We were from different companies,

but we'd been in the fighting since the start of the war.

We all knew that this mission sure was worth a try.

It was 1863, night, right across the river

from Washington City.

On foot, sneaking past our own sentries.

Then we got to the river and we saw 'em.

They got out of their boat

and they started towards us.

Ashbaugh, what's the idea?

Wait, please Mr. Yuma.

I asked Charles to be here.

I couldn't risk having information forced from me

in case you had become an enemy.

Not as scrawny as you were in the army.

You've changed some, Yuma.

I hope you have, too.

What about the other two men who went on Mission Varina?

Bill Dawson?

His letter came back.

Waters, I don't know.

I waited weeks for an answer.

He hasn't replied.

Now it's too late.

I can't wait any longer.

My husband's being released the day after tomorrow.

Well won't they give him

a military escort from Fort Monroe?

Well the commandant doesn't agree with me

about the extent of Jefferson's danger.

They'll only send two troopers.

They'll have instructions to leave him

a mile from the boat landing

in order to avoid attracting attention.

Rotten Yankee politicians sneaking him out

by the back trails so his release won't stir up a fuss.

Oh, please Charles.

Remember, a Yankee signed Jefferson's bail bond.

The most important man in the Republican Party.

Mr. Horace Greeley?

Yes, it means Jefferson is free

if we can get him to that hearing in Richmond alive,

he will grant an amnesty.

And you think these diehards will try to kill him

before he gets to the river boat?

They won't have much chance once he's safe aboard.

In between there's plenty of opportunity for ambush.

Jefferson's been racked with fever for months.

He's so weak he can hardly stand.

Once those soldiers leave him,

he'll be completely helpless.

Two men aren't much protection.

Jefferson's carried the burden for all of us

these past few months.

He's been punished for doing what he had to do.

Oh please, Mr. Yuma.

Help me.

Help him.

I'll do my best, ma'am.

Fort Monroe is here, two days ride from the river landing.

Now we're to rendezvous with Davis

at this abandoned weight station,

and then the Yankees will leave us here.

Mrs. Davis is a fine woman.

Yes she is.

Now we leave...

She thinks a lot of you, Ashbaugh.

Almost like a mother.

Well my family was very close to the Davises.

She doesn't know Mission Varina failed

because you took a shot at Lincoln's man.

President swore us to silence, remember?

I was younger then, Yuma, full of hate.

Mhmm.

Well just so your hate of Yankees

doesn't spoil this mission.

This is my chance to make up for that mistake.

I'm not gonna let anything go wrong.

I'm not gonna let anything go wrong.

Jefferson Davis lost the war for us.

Our families, our way of life.

I'm gonna pay him back for that

the same way that Booth paid Lincoln.

I still say it'll be easier

if we wait 'til he gets to Richmond.

No, he made peace with the Yankees.

Let him die while he's their charge.

Suit yourself.

Just as long as we get paid for it.

And you'll get paid well.

I expected you to kill Yuma on the trail,

the way you did the other one.

We knew which direction the other one was coming from.

Well then you should've killed him

when he got off of the stage.

With people on the street?

Too risky.

For a thousand dollars you're supposed to take some risks!

Not that kind.

Plenty of riding room, that was the bargain.

Well then you keep that bargain!

You keep it!

Mission Varina.

I lost a chance to kill a Yankee general there.

I lost it because of Johnny Yuma.

He knocked into my hand just as I squeezed the trigger.

Then the Yankee soldiers opened fire.

And they got me, right here.

I want you to kill Davis,

and that turncoat Yuma right along with him.

You kill them both.

Well, this is it.

You got the message?

Four in gray.

Minus two.

Serving Varina.

Gaines?

Come on in.

I'm Sergeant Mundale.

Johnny Yuma.

Charles Ashbaugh, Virginia.

Looks like you had a long ride.

We're supposed to meet President Davis here.

Where is he?

You'll see him.

Gentlemen.

Mr. President.

Charles.

Johnny Yuma.

It's good to see you, sir.

It's been a very long time.

Too long, sir.

Is Varina safe and well?

She's waiting on the boat.

Tomorrow night you'll be with her.

Freedom seems such an impossible dream.

You better let him rest now.

We have to get an early start.

I'll take care of the president, sergeant.

♪ I wish I was in Dixie away away ♪

♪ Wish I was in Dixie

Where are you from soldier?

Vermont.

♪ Way down south where I was born ♪

How long you been in the army?

Three months.

♪ Early on a frosty morn

♪ Look away look away

♪ Look away look away

Quit that singing.

What?

Hey let go!

What's the matter with you?

You stole everything else from us, blue belly.

You're not gonna steal Dixie, not while I'm listening.

Steal?

I don't like to be called a thief!

Well thief is the word, thief.

Cut it out, Ashbaugh.

You've got real bad manners, reb.

Gaines, now clean it.

This time without music, that's an order.

He means no harm.

You want to insult the president?

Make him listen to a Yankee croaking?

The president is in Washington City,

and I want to carry out his orders

by delivering Mr. Davis safe and comfortable

to the spot named.

Better all simmer down and get some rest.

We'll keep the pace

as comfortable as we can for you.

Thank you sergeant.

- I'll scout on ahead. - Help yourself.

Two shots if there's trouble.

Follow 'em out, Gaines!

Johnny?

Yes sir.

It's almost over.

Yes sir.

We'll be at the ship by tomorrow nightfall.

That's not the voyage I mean.

The ship that's waiting for me is a ghostly vessel

and it's filled with fallen comrades,

but before that I do want to see Varina again.

You will, sir.

Thanks to you and Charles.

Our ranks are thin, Johnny.

I only hope that history doesn't

judge our intentions too harshly.

Coffee's ready sir.

It's gonna make you feel a whole lot better.

Yes, nothing quite like it

when you're on a march is there?

Coffee, black and strong.

Liquid backbone.

I'd almost forgotten that expression, sergeant.

You done some soldiering Mr. Davis?

Why, yes.

Graduated West Point 1828.

Buena Vista, Monterrey, colonel in the infantry.

Besides being commander of the Confederate armies.

I was in the United States army

for nine years, Mr. Gaines.

As a young lieutenant I served in the west.

Arizona Territory, California,

all the way to Oregon.

Soldiered out there some myself, sir.

Land's got a lot of stretching room.

Yes, a man can dream big dreams under those quiet stars.

I mean no offense Mr. Davis,

but well there were stars

in the flag you were serving under too.

I mean...

Well I just don't rightly see

how you could have chose for secession.

I've been in your Vermont, Mr. Gaines.

The hills, green velvet in the spring,

gold in the fall, tucked closely one behind the other.

Like children in school, as far as the eye can see.

And the trees, magnificent trees.

You sure have been to Vermont, Mr. Davis.

Yes, and I assume your family,

everyone you love lives there.

Suppose Vermont decided to leave the Union?

What would you do?

Which of the two would you leave?

Well I...

You had some right hard choosing to do, sir.

Thank you son.

How was it at Buena Vista sir, bloody wasn't it?

Yes, but not to be compared to this last war.

Killing your brothers is worse, sergeant.

I've been at it too long now.

I didn't sign up again, and bought me a spread.

Roped, when we leave you he won't be my sergeant no more.

I'll be riding back to Monroe with a farmer.

Yes sir, escorting you is my last job for the army.

My enlistment ends today.

Officially perhaps,

but soldiering is like malaria, sergeant.

You never quite get over it.

All quiet up ahead.

I can't see or hear anything, thanks.

Think they'd have jumped us by now

if they were going to.

They've had plenty of chances.

Well I don't know what they're waiting for,

- but they're waiting for... - Perhaps not.

Perhaps the sight of an army escort...

Yeah, they'll think twice

before tangling with the United States Army.

I'll ride and scout some more.

I hope he doesn't ride too far ahead.

Mean looking wash about a mile from here.

You're spookier than a mother cow at feeding time.

No offense, reb.

None taken.

Best of luck to you, sir.

Thank you sergeant.

You've been very courteous.

Sergeant?

Sure wish you could see your way to staying.

Last mile's the hardest, you know?

Well the commandant said it was important

that Mr. Davis look like a private general

when he gets on the boat.

That's why I'm leaving him with you.

I can't disobey orders, reb.

You know that.

Sergeant.

You said your enlistment ends today.

Could be they're waiting to hit us

when we only have two guns.

Don't go begging him, Yuma.

We don't need help that bad from Yankees.

You've been spoiling for trouble ever since we met.

Gaines!

Private Gaines!

Mount up.

I'm sorry, reb.

Mr. Davis?

Did you have to rile him?

I've had a belly full of Yankees.

Lie flat in the wagon, sir.

Keep low no matter what happens.

We'll make a run for it.

If we are in trouble, let's draw their fire now

while Gaines and Monroe can hear it.

We'll be sitting ducks.

It's the only chance we've got, come on.

No, we wait until it's dark.

You wait!

We'll be at the landing by nightfall.

You with us or against us?

Against you, summer soldier.

Charles.

Charles, you don't know what you're doing.

Don't I, President Davis?

Traitors, that's what you both are.

Boot-licking traitors.

Crawling to the Yankees in dishonor and disgrace.

Well, right here is where I pay back

the one who disgraced us.

Davis, you're gonna crawl

in the same place that Lincoln did.

You're right, Yuma.

My men are waiting 'til those soldiers can't hear.

Charles.

What's that?

There'd be two shots if there was trouble.

Maybe Yuma was right.

Maybe there are some bushwhackers waiting

'til they've only got two guns against 'em.

I've been a civilian for five minutes, I'm going back.

Me too.

You stick to your orders, private.

Who says?

Private soldier left without a superior acts on his own.

It says that right in the manual.

Come on.

Glad to see you, Mr. Mundale.

You all right, sir?

Yes.

Yez, I'm all right.

Thanks to you men.

What is it makes a man act like that,

even after a war?

Old ways die hard, soldier.

I'm afraid this one will die the hardest of all.

That's right, sir.

But I think a pretty good piece of it died right here today.

♪ Johnny Yuma was a rebel ♪

♪ He roamed through the West ♪

♪ Did Johnny Yuma, the Rebel ♪

♪ He wandered alone ♪

♪ He got fightin' mad, this rebel lad ♪

♪ He packed no star as he wandered far ♪

♪ Where the only law was a hook and a draw ♪

♪ The Rebel ♪ ♪ Away ♪

♪ Johnny Yuma ♪ ♪ Away rode the Rebel ♪

♪ He searched the land, this restless lad ♪

♪ He was panther quick and leather tough ♪

♪ And he figured he had been pushed enough ♪

♪ The Rebel ♪

♪ Johnny Yuma ♪

This has been a Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Production.