 Makers of better things for better living through chemistry presents the Cavalcade of America our story a medal for Miss Walker our star Dorothy McGuire The city of Washington in the war year of 1862 was a military camp It's stately buildings transformed for the most part in the temporary barracks in hospitals On the streets of the city moving slowly Unsteadily where the men returning from battle They would pause for a moment at a street corner Lean against an iron railing sit on a curb stone Or they'd be carried into the hospitals Our story begins in one of these hospitals. It was called Indiana Hospital You meant against the wall you'll have to move. I'm sorry Excuse me, can you tell no one allowed here, ma'am? You'll have to get up. I wanted to dr. Green He's operating ma'am. Oh, where is the operating room last one at the end of the corner? Thank you. Oh wait now you come back here I'm sorry. I must get back I'm sorry. Just let me pass by. Oh, yes, sir. Is that you corporal? Bring in the next patient. I Don't know how What the devil you doing here, dr. Green get out of here I have a letter to you from dr. Billings of Syracuse. I am not interested in any letters Landslakes, can't you see what's going on here? Myself no one else but me and all these men Broken bleeding and you ramble in here with a letter. Do you have another apron? April dr. Green to save time. I'll be very explicit. My name is nary Walker I'm a duly qualified position. I want to help you Woman doctor. Yes, does that shock you? No Displeased you. I know well, then let's not waste any more time Orderly, that's why I'm bringing the next patient Wake up. Oh, yes For in the morning We're so exhausted. I just didn't have a heart to wake you, but there were a dozen patients I've taken care of them. Oh Thank you How how did you make out? Oh, I don't know. I did what I could. I think they'll be all right Here I've got some coffee for you. Thank you Tell me something miss. I mean doctor. Yes Are you real or are you an angel in disguise? Guaranteed blood and flesh Too bad too bad. Yes, I Was hoping that you were made of some less earthy material So that I could summon you whenever I'm I'm tired. I Am very very tired. Dr. Green. I Want to work here with you. Why you need help, but this is no place for a woman Oh, don't ever say that to me again, dr. Green It's the one thing that that revolts me to the point of nausea Why isn't this the place for a woman does a wound festered because a female applied a dressing? What are we pariahs plague carriers? No, no, of course you saw me work at the operating table all evening did I do well? You were magnificent Would you say that in a note to surgeon general Finley? Yes Then do it for me. I'm going to see him this afternoon. You expect to get a commission. I do I Write you your letter of recommendation dr. Walker, but you'll never get a commission Why as a doctor you can fight death you can fight disease But the one thing you can't fight is stupidity and that's what you're bucking Prejudice the meanest form of stupidity It's quite impossible dr. Walker a woman doctor in the medical department Fantastic idea. Why general Finley? Why is it so fantastic because now madam doctor? You must realize only one thing our soldiers are desperately in need of medical care. I'm qualified It's a preposterous idea whether men themselves would stay in the fields and die rather than be treated by a woman You don't know that to be true. I'm very busy dr. Walker. You'll have to excuse me then you you won't appoint me I will not Alright general Should you change your mind you can reach me at the Indiana Hospital Oh Billy may hurt just a little but I do have to change this dressing you've got the prettiest hair Have I now like like satin it is now Hold still may I touch it ma'am? Oh, you'd like to you've been around man It brings to mind a fact a soldier soon forgets that there's goodness in the world and things are beauty there Now does that feel more comfortable told me so? Why are you here ma'am? Why I'm a doctor. Yes, ma'am. You're a doctor But up in the cities with the fashionable women. I reckon you might do real. Well my place is where I'm most needed Billy we're all put down on earth to do our little job And if we're true to ourselves, we don't seek reward so much as we seek In a satisfaction Out in the battlefield when you took up the charge were medals on your mind. No, ma'am. It was what I had to do That's why I'm here Billy My reason is the same as yours It's just what I have to do Get that woman in here directly dr. Greedon very well general Finley Corporal sir have dr. Walker come to my office. Yes, sir. I Place the blame for this incredible situation directly with you dr. Greene if you turn her out of the beginning This would never have happened. She's done tremendous service in this hospital I can't describe how she's worked tirelessly and the men worship our ridiculous. She may be a woman But she's done a man's work Come in You sent for me dr. Greene. Come in dr. Walker. Oh Oh General Finley dr. Walker How do you do sir? Not very well Madam there are a few things in the world so calculated to inflame a man's temper as presumptuous behavior by a person of inferior rank I wasn't aware that I held any rank general Finley and more to the point I don't know what you're talking about. I'm talking about this letter Did you write this letter to president Lincoln madam? Yes, you took great liberties I don't think so when you denied my request for a commission. You gave me no alternative But to repeat my request to your commander-in-chief What did mr. Lincoln say to my request he penciled it on the letter. Yeah, read it for yourself I am willing Well, well what dr. Greene nothing just well All right young lady. I'll give you an appointment. Oh, that's wonderful general But I will not give you an appointment to the regular medical car nothing in mr. Lincoln's endorsement orders me to do that I will appoint you a contract surgeon however with no official military rank. Is that understood? I accept the appointment Very well. I'm sending you to the Western department to Chattanooga. Dr. Greene tells me you enjoy doing a man's job Very well, you're going to get a firsthand view of a man's war Good day Are you going to accept? This is not what you really wanted isn't Mary. Well, what I want is a full commission and the chance to prove that a woman has a right to earn one Well, this is a step in the right direction. I I'm going to miss you here. You've been Very wonderful to me dr. Greene Mary all this time you haven't accepted the penny from the government for me You're going to need some financial assistance. I don't have much. No. No, thank you I couldn't take anything like that. Oh, but there is just one thing you can do for me. What is it? You can let me have your old uniform the one you said you were going to throw away because it was so worn Let me have that my uniform. Yes. Well, no, what would you do with that? Where it? perhaps General Finley can prevent my getting a commission But if I'm going to the front I want to go in uniform. I want to be properly dressed for the occasion Dr. Walker Two more ambulances just arrived with more wounded and every minute more are coming in on foot Is there any more room in the main tent? Use my tent then and send word to headquarters. We must have more dressings more medicine more ether. Yes, ma'am Tell them we've got to have help up here We're evacuating this position all able men get up and get moving I Walk and pack up and get we can't move these men. Well, then we'll have to leave them leave them. That's orders I want to pay such orders. It's inhuman ma'am. I haven't time to argue now move out. I'll not do that Did you hear me? I said it was orders. I won't leave my men All men but little cases fall in and start moving Dr. Walker your order to fall into right. I have over 20 men who can't be moved We can't leave them without proper medical supervision if they say I say as you please ma'am Stay if you like you will suffer the consequences What do they do to us ma'am? Well, what do they do when they come nothing now? They'll be treated as prisoners of war. It's the bayonet. No, that's what they do now. It isn't true Please everyone lie quietly try to be calm You said you were in charge here. Yes, I'm dr. Walker woman. That's right I'll be bushwhacked It is a woman You hold a regular commission in the federal army, ma'am. I know not exactly But I'm in federal uniform I'm sorry ma'am, but I've got no choice. You're under arrest as a spy dr. Mary Walker of the specification Charge one That you were found lurking as a spy in and about the fortifications of the Confederate states of America in an Attempt to insinuate yourself among the troops for the purpose of collecting information with regard to their numbers and resources And that you contrived to achieve this purpose by disguising yourself by a change of dress This court finds you guilty Dr. Mary Walker The sentence of this court is that you shall suffer death according to the law and usage of nation Now we return to our cavalcade story a medal for miss Walker Starring Dorothy McGuire as dr. Mary Walker Refusing to leave her badly wounded patients in the face of an attack by the Confederate forces before Chattanooga Dr. Mary Walker a contract surgeon attached to the Union army has been taken prisoner Because she was found in the uniform of a Union officer. She has been tried by court-martial and condemned to death as a spy It's a few days later now in the headquarters of general Braxton Bragg Commander of the Confederate forces. I'm very distressed Colonel very much distressed by this whole distasteful situation The court-martial had no choice but to declare dr. Walker guilty general She was found wearing the federal uniform. She does not hold a regular commission. I know all that she must have some reason I've sent for a prisoner isn't that a bit unusual sir ordering a woman to be shot as a trifle unusual to Colonel or so I find it to be unusual and extremely unpleasant. Yes, sir if her explanation is satisfactory as I trust it will be We'll send her back bag and baggage and be finished with the fare as you wish sir. You are exactly right Colonel. That is precisely what I wish She's here now bring her in yes, sir, and I do not want a sobbing woman on my hands Colonel. Let us make this interview short. Yes, sir In here, please dr. Walker general Bragg Yes, dr. Walker general Bragg I've always had the highest esteem for the exalted southern virtue of honorable conduct Madam I can see now that I was completely mistaken now now doctor. If you just tell me exactly I'll tell you nothing until you tell me something What has happened to my man your man my patience what happened to them? Colonel they're in the prisoners compound sir, and how long do you think they'll live without medical care? General Bragg I demand the right to stay with my patient until they can be transferred to a hospital that is impossible Why because you are not a legitimate prisoner of war now? Let us forget that and go on to a far more serious matter you have been condemned as a spy What did you to say about that what can I say if my wearing of federal uniform makes me out of spy then I am a spy No doubt there's the result of some Emergency your own clothes were ripped and torn during the battle isn't that it no sir it was not yet I wore that uniform deliberately, and I was proud to wear it But you were not entitled to wear it you have no commission the only reason I don't have a commission is because of my sex And I consider that reason invalid and immaterial yes, yes well that is a call I suggest you take up with general Grant. I'll make you out of path. That'll get you through our lines You're sending me back as a civilian of course. I refuse to go What I demand to be treated as a legitimate prisoner of war madam. Are you out of your mind at all? Either you treat me as a prisoner of war and permit me to go back to my patience Or you can treat me as a spy and shoot me But that is a ridiculous alternative where the other madam I am busy fighting a war I can't get involved in your attempt to wangle a commission out of the federal arm I will not go back as a civilian. That's the only way I can send you back I refuse to go blast it madam. Injectives will get you nowhere general turtle Get this this woman out of here. Take her to Richmond. Take her to present Davis if necessary May I come in dr. Walker rather unusual for the warden to waste amenities on his prisoner mr. Peasley. Well, yes, but I'm not the usual type of warden and You're not the usual type prisoner How nice of you to say that you have a visitor dr. Most important really Mr. Walton Joseph Walton Very close to president Davis. Well, I should be very happy to meet him Yes, won't you come in mr. Walton Dr. Walker mr. Walton How do you do sir a great pleasure madam if you want me I'll be right out in the car. Thank you I should like to offer you a chair, but as you can see sir these accommodations are not exactly the best Castle thunder is not noted for its lush appointments I'm very proud to meet you dr. Walker As you probably know you become a rather celebrated personality. Oh, is that so? Oh, yes The story of your bravery and refusing to leave the wounded on the battlefield of Chattanooga is an international sensation You're quite a heroine, you know, no, I didn't know I don't feel heroic I'm nearly a physician seeking to live up to an oath I took many years ago and one for which I've Labored very hard and very long. I'm sure of that I want to be with my patient May I go with me? No, no, that's not possible However President davis has reversed the decision of the court martial He has asked me to convey to you the good news that you will be released at once Please Be good enough to convey my thanks to president davis for his kindness But tell him I will not leave this prison unless I can go to my patient and remain with them until in my professional opinion They no longer need medical care, but ma'am. I uh, dr I can't go back to the president and tell him you refuse to be released, but I do refuse I slightly refuse We've got to have an end of this the president is furious The newspapers around the world made a cause celebrity on this walk of haste Enormous prisoners are being brought to bear on the president We must get him out of this embarrassing position. Well, yes, yes, I understand mr. Wharton, but uh What do you want me to do? You're the warden here now Now suppose you left her cell door open After all if she escapes That's the right of any prisoner of war now, isn't it? Oh, yes Of course do it Well, uh, good night dr. Walker. Good night, mr. Priestley Dear me These old locks say they never worked very well, you know, oh Oh, well, I I suppose I'll have to leave it open Good night doctor. Good night Well warden you left her cell door open. Yes, just as you said what happened She shut it. She said it created a draft Out out Who's there? I am jules of waltham personal representative of president david your credentials, please right here Very well, sir. You may pass Where will I find colonel march? This is his tent here, sir. I'll fetch him for you. Thank you Colonel march says the mr. Wharton Well, mr. Wharton pleasant surprise. How are you gonna? Uh, may I help you out doctor? Thank you, mr. Walker Well, I'll be a walker woman dr. Walker. Oh, yes, of course Dr. Walker colonel march By order of the president colonel I am turning over dr. Mary walker to your custody my custody. She will be treated as a legitimate prisoner of war Draw the pay and enjoy all privileges sat down by the usages of war. Yes, sir dr. Walker Never believed I'd see the day when I would congratulate a Yankee on a victory But this is such a day You have what you want your patience. Thank you colonel march Where are my men in the compound yonder? That that mud hole i'm sorry if our accommodations don't meet with your approval I want a detail of men to clean that place up details soap clean linen blankets Now see here dressing medicine and isolation Colonel march you heard the doctor what this is he that your prisoners orders are obeyed You sent for me general finley. Oh, yes. Yes, dr. Green come in I think I owe you an apology sir an apology your dr. Walker She's proved herself more than able to hold on a man's job. And now I've got good news for you She's coming home coming home. Yep. She's got her patience on the road to recovery And now the confederates have informed us that she's eligible for exchange Of course, we've agreed. That's wonderful. I'm putting one over from them though. I'll tell you that really certainly They figured we'd exchange her on the basis of rank after all she's only an assistant surgeon rank no higher than lieutenant You know what i'm doing watcher. I'm sending them back a full colonel for mary walker. That's what I consider a fair exchange Oh, dr. Green. It was very kind of you to come down to the dock just to meet me. I do appreciate it I was happy to oh Getting home isn't really getting home unless there's a friendly pace to see how do you feel mary? You look tired and worn. I'm all right Well Why are we turning into the parade ground? Uh, there's a little matter of business. We have to attend to There's a driver drop in front of that troop of soldiers But I don't understand what well you have to report back to your regiment They're stationed here in washington now. There's colonel McCook. Oh, I'm afraid to see him The last time we met I believe I refused to obey one of his orders. Yes, and no doubt. He hasn't forgotten All right, here we are My hand dr. Walker. Thank you Company General order number four one six six four By order of the president of the united states The medal of honor is hereby awarded to dr. Mary walker for heroic service above and beyond the call of duty Attest the secretary of war Congratulations, doctor Thank you colonel Thank you very much Thanks to dorthy mcquire and the cavalcade players for tonight's two story Tonight's depond cavalcade was written by irv tunic original music was composed by arden corne well conducted by donald Borey's the program was directed by john zoller with our star dorthy mcquire You heard cameron prudham as dr. Green alan hewitt is spindly stott's cutsworth as marsh ed begley is pragg arnold mosses priestly and charles dingle is waltham And this is sigh harris reminding you to be with us next week when the depond cavalcade will present down break Starring cornell wild The depond cavalcade of america came to you from the belasco theater in new york city And is sponsored by the depond company of well mccan delaware makers of better things for better living through chemistry Tonight just for laughs listen to red skelton on nbc