Springfield Rifle

"Four thousand horses lost to raiders in three months.

Need for more men to protect herds desperate. Repeat, desperate.

John Hudson, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Cavalry."

More men, more men.

There isn't a command in the Army that doesn't want men.

He'll have to do with what he has. Well, Colonel Sharpe?

Hudson's tried to reach the railhead by every route available.

Yet our forces have always been intercepted by raiders.

Our spring offensive depends on the strength of our cavalry units...

...and that means horses.

Fort Hedley's in the center of all the great southwestern herds.

It was your idea to establish a purchasing depot there.

Now, what are you doing about it?

We've known that the Confederacy has a well-organized spy system.

They know the importance of horses to us.

Their men may operate even in our own fort.

All I was permitted to do was to send a private detective out there, a civilian.

Everyone spotted him right away.

General, as I've told you many times...

...the only answer to their espionage is an espionage system of our own.

- Taken it up three times with the Cabinet. - Don't they want to win?

They won't stand for our men in uniform being secret agents.

They stand for enemy agents knocking the war out from under us.

They think spying is beneath the dignity and honor of an Army man. That settles it.

How do you expect me to get those horses here?

Colonel Sharpe, there's a war going on a few miles south of here.

If we are to mount a successful offensive in the spring and end the war...

...we must have horses. Thousands of them.

That's why Hudson's out at Fort Hedley, and why you're chief of planning.

I don't care how you handle it, but don't come to me with it again. Just get horses.

It isn't that they know the route that's important.

You can't hide the trail of hundreds of horses.

But they know in advance what pass we're going to cross.

That's their advantage. They don't have to spread their men so thin.

You must have some idea how the information's getting out.

The whole town's full of people trying to sell horses and information.

I can't do it all alone.

George, I know, officially, you're here on a routine inspection.

Unofficially, you're probably looking for a chance to replace me.

Well, if they don't send me enough men to do the job, let them replace me.

It'd be much easier leading a bayonet charge back there.

Mr. Quint, will you excuse us?

I have a confidential matter to discuss with Colonel Hudson.

Certainly. Certainly, sir.

I wasn't able to get you more men.

But before I came, I stopped at the arsenal at Springfield, Massachusetts.

Without orders, I may add.

John, some gunsmith is trying a new idea with the Springfield rifle.

I saw a demonstration that was amazing.

No more muzzle loading. It operates with a new bridge action.

That rifle can be loaded and fired so fast, it'll make each man equal to five.

When can I get them?

May be a long time before they're ready.

- Springfield people experiment in secret. - Then what good are they to us?

Maybe I can convince them to let us experiment in action.

If not, I'll have to wait until they aren't looking.

Can't get them any other way.

In the meantime, I'm supposed to use magic to get the horses through.

Magic and that incompetent you sent me who calls himself a detective.

Now I'll let you in on a little secret, George.

I think we have the raiders fooled this time.

I've sent the drive out under Lex Kearny, the new major just assigned me.

He's taking a route those raiders will never anticipate.

Right over the highest peaks in the range.

Snow, the year round, through Grey Rock Pass...

...which is 9000 feet above sea level.

- Major Kearny? - Yes, sergeant?

That's Grey Rock Pass, just ahead.

I told you we'd make it this time.

What are the orders, major?

Those raiders outnumber us at least 4-1, Captain Tennick.

Let them have the herd, make a run for it back to the fort.

That's desertion. Give me the men.

I'll delay them while you get the horses through.

Captain, we're leaving the herd. Form up at the rear, now.

Form up at the rear, sergeant.

If I wanted the sergeant to carry out the order, I'd issue it.

Get in form, captain.

Form up at the rear!

Form up at the rear!

- Is Colonel Hudson alone? - No. But you can go in, Mr. Quint.

Thanks.

Troop's back, colonel.

You've got another "no delivery" dispatch to send to Washington.

- Casualties? - Nope.

Just the herd this time. Great beginning for the new major.

I thought Kearny could get the herd through if anyone could.

They told me you're the best detective the Army could hire.

Why don't you find out who the raiders are?

First things come first with me, colonel. I don't care who the raiders are.

I wanna know where they get their information.

I don't like the way you say that, Quint.

That's my plan, colonel.

If you don't like that way, you can always make a change.

- Major Kearny, sir. - Send him in.

Sit down, Lex.

Shall I make my report in front of him?

Don't be bashful, major. I already made it for you.

Go ahead, Lex.

As instructed, I didn't open the sealed orders until we arrived at Taos Wells.

The orders said to take the herd by way of the Dundalk Flats route.

They were waiting for us on the other side of Grey Rock Pass.

Did anyone have access to the orders...

...from the time you left until you reached Taos Wells?

No, sir.

After you opened the orders, who saw them besides you?

Captain Tennick and Sergeant Snow.

After they learned which route, were they ever out of your sight?

Here and there, but then I was out of theirs.

Did you get a look at any of the raiders?

- We didn't put up a fight. - Why not?

- Permission to see the colonel, sir. - Captain Tennick.

I request a court-martial.

- Against whom and on what charges? - Against Major Kearny.

Charges of willful disobedience of orders...

...and misconduct in the presence of the enemy.

Quite some charges from a man I could arrest for insubordination.

Sir, the orders were, "Defend the herd with force against enemy attack."

Major Kearny ordered us to desert the herd.

I've known Lex Kearny for a long time. I was his duty officer at West Point.

He couldn't commit such an act.

I'm sure his reasons for the retreat were honorable.

I recommend you withdraw your request.

I respectfully decline your recommendation, sir.

You're certain you have sufficient grounds?

I'm certain, sir.

Request granted.

Thank you, sir.

Has he sufficient grounds, Lex?

Yes, sir.

He wants these gold leaves.

Charge: Violation of the 52nd Article of War.

"Neglect of duty and cowardice in the face of the enemy.

Sacrificing war material, specifically a vitally needed shipment of horses."

How does the accused plead to the charge and specifications?

Not guilty by reason of circumstances.

This is his official service record.

"Major Alexander Kearny was born in Virginia.

At West Point, before the declaration of war...

...he openly sympathized with his home state.

At the outbreak of the war, he submitted his resignation from the Army...

...giving reason as reluctance to fight against the South.

He later withdrew his submission.

Kearny led a troop in three engagements this year.

He was removed from his command because of indecision in the presence of the enemy.

Official comment: Untrustworthy. To be transferred to duty at Fort Hedley."

Our orders were to defend the herd and drive them to the railroad.

Kearny's action was in violation of these orders.

In the face of a far-superior force, it is my judgment...

...that it was better to sacrifice horses and save the men.

Then we retreated, leaving the herd unprotected, without even firing one shot.

Did you hear Major Kearny tell Captain Tennick he wouldn't fight?

The major said we were outnumbered 4-1, ordered us to the rear.

- That's all, thank you. - Can I say something?

Certainly, sergeant.

I served with Major Kearny.

He was a lieutenant then, at the First Battle of Bull Run in '61.

Our troop covered the retreat that day, and we were the last to withdraw.

We didn't have to be the last...

...but the lieutenant was stubborn as a mule...

Sergeant Snow.

Let him tell it in his own way.

Well, sir, I never saw such an onerous...

...cuss in my whole life.

But he's certainly no coward.

The whole troop was sighted for that action, sir.

But the action he speaks of was a retreat, wasn't it?

Everybody knows we lost the First Battle of Bull Run, sir.

It was right after I enlisted. We were out on patrol.

Major Kearny, two mules, and 10 more of us.

Well, all of a sudden, about 25... Maybe it was 50.

Anyway, they were Stand Watie's men.

They came charging out of the rocks, screaming like wildcats, firing as they come.

I gotta admit, I was so scared, I couldn't fire my gun.

Couldn't even move.

Next thing I know, the major was standing alongside me, firing and loading.

When he was loading, he talked to me real quiet.

Major saved my life that day. I know it.

This court finds Major Alexander Kearny, 5th Cavalry, United States Army...

...guilty of gross neglect of duty by reason of cowardice in the face of the enemy.

Alexander Kearny, you are warned that you are liable to the death penalty...

...if you trespass upon the grounds of any United States Military post...

...or reservation henceforth.

Conduct the prisoner through the gate.

Sergeant Snow will give you a receipt for these, Mr. McCool.

And bring in more next time.

- My spread's not too big, colonel. - I'll buy all you can get me.

How can they buy stock like that?

That's the sorriest-looking bunch of jackrabbits I ever saw.

You ain't got nothing to say about what the Army buys anymore...

...yellow-belly.

Never could understand why you were particular with us ranchers, major.

Unless you were making sure those raiders got good, sound horse flesh.

Sir, Kearny's giving the Army a bad name, hanging around like this.

I know we don't have jurisdiction over him.

I wish there were some way to get him out of town.

He'll be leaving soon, lieutenant.

Captain Tennick.

Captain Tennick, I see you haven't got my gold leaves yet.

You're mighty brave with that whip, captain.