 Is that serious enough to report? I don't know, George, but I've suddenly got to report mine. You boys can have the cavalry. Me, I'm going to fly for the infantry. Tired of playing housemaid to a temperamental mare. That's the first good news your horse has ever heard. Go on, Frederick, kiss him. How did you have that curb chain on too tight? It's not the first time you've got his tongue. You ever try putting a curb on your tongue? No. Nobody else ever tried it. I suppose it takes one of you Southerners to handle a horse. Well, at least we know how to harness them. You know how to harness Negroes down south too, I hear, with a strap across their back. When are you going to take a punch at him? Uh-uh. Too close to graduation. Besides, if I've waited four years, I guess I can wait another week. As it now exists is the basis of my plan. And that destruction must be made upon the issue of Negro slavery and on no other. The Union must then be reorganized on the great principle of emancipation. This object is vast in its compass, terrifying in its prospects but sublime and beautiful in its issue. A life devoted to it would be nobly spent or sacrificed. If the federal government and its constitution are opposed to my way of thinking, the fault is not mine, but theirs. And I shall continue to oppose them with every means and every weapon at my disposal. Who wrote that inflammatory rot? A wise man by the name of John Brown. Why'd you get it? That's my business. If you don't like it, you don't have to listen to it. You meant it for me, didn't you? Take it any way you'd like. Sure he meant it for you. He tried that abolition stuff. I immediately found out I came from Kansas. Never mind, Bob. Come on, Jeb. Let's turn in. There's no regulation against a cadet having his own ideas. But there is one against spreading reasonable policies. You find the truth hard to take. Listen, Radar, I know the truth of this problem far better than you do. The South will settle it in its own time and in its own way. But not through the propaganda of renegades like this John Brown or any of his followers. You mean that renegade line to include me? Look up your earth of allegiance and answer that for yourself. I'll answer that right here and now. I've taken a lot from you Southern snobs. For 50 years now, you've been watering your precious family trees with a sweat of Negro slaves, piling up wealth and snobbery until now you think you own the government and the army. And anybody who disagrees with you as a lying renegade, a rabble-rousing traitor, will you get this from me, Stuart? And all you other Mason dicks and plutocrats. The time is coming when the rest of us are going to wipe you and your kind off the face of the earth. The disturbing force has been active among the regiment of cadets. The exact nature of this subversive campaign and the persons responsible for it have not been fully known to us until this moment. Stuart, by every rule of the academy, you should be discharged from the service. And your associates are no less guilty for their part in this outrageous affair. Colonel Lee, any blame in this matter is entirely upon me. It's my sole responsibility, sir. That's not quite true, sir. It was my fault. We're all equally responsible, sir. That's right, sir. If I believed that you were guilty alone, Stuart, I should have sent for you alone. As for you, Custer, and the rest of you, you must be taught that lying to protect a friend is sometimes an extremely dangerous practice. I'm not so greatly concerned about the fight itself as I am about its cause. All seven of you men have violated the first sin of military conduct, the traffic and violent exchange of political ideas which are not the affairs of an American soldier. You must be punished and punished severely. I shall request of the War Department upon your graduation next week that all of you be assigned to the most dangerous branch of the United States Army. The second United States Cavalry, now stationed at Fort Leavenworth in the Kansas Territory. That's all, gentlemen. You're dismissed. Now, send for cadet raider. How can you beat that? Fort Leavenworth, suicide station. Kansas, the Santa Fe Trail, what a piece of luck. That's it. That's a cavalry. Active duty promotion. Why, we'll all be generals while the rest of the fellows are still safe. There are deaths of the country. You have nothing to grow in Kansas but trouble. What are you talking about? I grew up out there, didn't I? That's what it's not. Well, what'll I get you boys out there? Man, life is my step and crown. Hey! Hey, here's my pants! These pamphlets were found in your quarters. Dozens of them. Together with a letter written by a member of the abolitionist party, instructing you to distribute them among those cadets who appear to be sympathetic to their cause. How long has this undercover activity of yours been going on? Long enough. Very clever idea of your fellow conspirators to plant an agent in our midst. Your dishonorable discharge will be drawn up at once and you'll be given until sundown to remove yourself and your personal belongings from the limits of West Point. Good. You can tell me just what for me. But he'd be smart to stay in the army, right in the middle of it from now on. Cadet William Q. Ohio. Cadet Martin Evans. Ohio. Cadet George Custer. Ohio. Cadet James Longstreet. South Carolina. Cadet Phillip Sheridan. New York. Cadet J.E.B. Stewart. Virginia. Cadet John Hood. Kentucky. Cadet Robert Holiday. Kansas Territory. New York. Virginia. Virginia. That is my sister, Kim. Thought two years in Boston would make a lady out of you. So did I. I just popped out. Cadet William Q. Ohio. Cadet Robert Davis. New Jersey. It is now my great honor and privilege to introduce the Secretary of War of the United States of America. The honorable Jefferson Davis. Officers and gentlemen of the Class of 1854. They're welcome guests and they're very proud families. I'll not keep you separated very long as I and myself once sat in your place and endured in a terminable address by a very tiresome general. But as the Secretary of War of this nation, I have a serious obligation towards each new officer of the Army before he enters into active service. And that obligation is to make clear and definite his responsibility to his government. We are a new nation among the powers of the world. Just 80 years ago we were fighting desperately for our freedom and we're still fighting to keep it. We are not yet a wealthy nation except in spirit. And that unity of spirit is our greatest strength. You men have but one duty, one alone, America. With your unswerving loyalty and the grace of God, our nation shall have no fears for the future and your lives will have been spent in the noblest of all causes, the defense of the rights of man. Joe Shaw got a heat to learn. Shove wood for the engine. By the first time you rode with me, I had to change your diapers. Looks like you're going to Hades. Bob's been telling us about that railroad Santa Fe so long now, Mr. Holiday. It's a surprise to learn it hasn't even been built. Yeah, that's not our fault, Stuart. You can't fill a railroad over blood-soaked ground like Kansas. Decent settlers won't use it. We are losing thousands of pioneers to the Oregon Trail. They circle right around us. We heard about the rage at Awesome Water Me last week. What is the true situation out here, sir? Well, Kansas is a territory and not a state. We are ready to join the Union, but the big question is whether we'll go in as a slave state or as a free state. On one side is most of Kansas' pro-slavers, people who came from the south. The other side of the abolitionists led by John Brown, the sons. Between those two elements, they've made Kansas a boiling pot for rebellion and massacres. That's why the Army sent you boys out here to Fort Leavenworth. Say, suicide station. It's quite an honor. You know, the first time I saw you at the graduation, I thought of what Napoleon said when he first met Josephine. What was that? He said, I never knew this savage land they call America could breed such perfect beauty and mortal form. Thank you. That's a lovely line. Yes, isn't it? George's been using it for years. Haven't you, George? I wish I could think of nice things like that to say. You wouldn't like what I'm thinking now. You were going to tell me something more about Kansas. Yes, what do you do on Saturday nights for fun here? Well, as I remember, half of Leavenworth takes a bath, and the other half gets drunk. And since the only two bathtubs in town, things get kind of exciting around this night. Here, here! I'll be right back. By the way, how'd they ever come to name your kid, Carson Holliday? Well, Mr. Carson, my dad's a very good friend. They were so sure I was going to be a boy if they named me before I was born. Oh, I see. Well, I'm certainly glad they were wrong. Me, too. Me, too. Me, too. Hey, conductor. Yeah? What are you going to do about that? About what? I'll tend to that. Hey, I thought I told you them niggas had a ride in the last coat. Their tickets give them the right to ride wherever they please. Now, I don't want any trouble with you, Mr. And you'd better leave us alone. Well, I don't know what this country's coming to. Pickets? Stop shaking, Anna. There's nothing to worry about. We're only a half an hour from the border. If we don't hurry, they'll be across the border. All right, go ahead. Why are you taking the Negroes? What business is that of yours? We're asking the questions. Are they free or bond? Here are the papers. See for yourself. That might mean something if we didn't know who you are. Don't you make a move. We're taking you and them off of this train while they're still in Missouri. Now, come on, get up all of you. No trouble. Negro slaves. He was trying to sneak them across the state line. I'll get that murderer, Jay Hawker, for this. He'll have to hang for it. Who was it? Oliver Brown, one of John Brown's curvy litter. Better than a doer, then. Come on, you gay, white, green horns. Give me a hand. They know you was spoiling the carpet. Come on, get him out of the way. Now, don't get excited now, everybody. Stand down, please. This is what they mean when they call it Bloody Kansas. There'll never be any peace along the Santa Fe Trail while John Brown or any of his followers are alive. President Turner, my report's come down here to Wichita. Then along here, across the Arkansas River, along the Simron River, over here to Las Vegas. Then on into Santa Fe. Now, that'll be our first section of track from Level S to Wichita, right over the trail. Now, suddenly a figure to start. Well, the men back east, say they're ready to put up the money as soon as we can prove that a railroad through Kansas is safe and will pay. Hey! Where did you put the loading list? List? Rasha, I clean forgot to make one out. That's great. Ninety-eight tons of freight ready to roll and no orders for loading. How'd you run this business a lot of the way? That's why I sent you away to show you what a skirt was. Look at your clothes. Look at the grease on your nose. Hold your friends in Boston thinking of you now. Thank you, Dad. I don't much care. If you're gonna keep your nose in a paper railway, I better keep mine and the family affairs. Kex! Hey, Lily, when I said goodbye to her, you're thinking of wearing that female cinch-n-belt. Way to Lily seize what you brunger. She'll bring it. If it ain't physical, impossible. Why, you ignorant! Hey! Are you gentlemen of leisure by any chance interested in employment? I ought to give you both your time and throw you out. Where in town have you been? Well, uh, you see, we had to buy these knick-knacks. Well, we sort of got a gal in Santa Fe. Lily, uh... Off-Stetter, and what do you mean, we? I'm a Gates tourer. Who ain't? You set up housekeeping Santa Fe, or is this just, uh, gilding the Lily? Oh, uh, she wanted us to fetch her one of them fancy Prince-looking glasses. Ain't it pretty? What's your answer to that text? You better hide that thing or start wearing it. I'm going to put you new officers straight from the start. This is Fort Leavenworth and not West Point. You were sent here to Man of Frontier Garrison. Three of the officers you're supposed to be replacing are buried back of the hill in the little military cemetery. The other four haven't been found yet. The regiment of mounted rifles has only one job, to keep the peace in Kansas. And we're here alone. There's no other fort between us and Santa Fe, and we're proud of that responsibility. We've got a tough reputation in the Army, but they respect us in the West. See that it stays that way. Order of the day. Lieutenant's long street and holiday? Take P. Troop and put them through close-order drill. Lieutenant Stewart and Custer will take eight men as an escort for the freight caravan, leaving at noon for New Mexico. Draw the usual supplies and report to me for final orders. Say, will you keep all those cases of Bibles near the tailboard? They're only going to short-haul. Sure will. Let's go. We're ready, sir. We're ready if you are. Good. I hope you have a nice quiet trip. On any other kind, I'll lose money. We'll try and save you that. We'll see you in six weeks, sir. With luck. Just keep your eyes open, boys, and move fast. You'll like the scenery, but don't trust it. All right. Goodbye, sir. Goodbye, Stewart. Goodbye, Custer. Phil, move all these valves up there for the next line. I've got the same idea. Looks that way. How are we going to work it? I've got the order. Wait, wait a minute. Where I come from, long man loses. Tough luck, old man. Here, hold my horse. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, seven, eight, seven, eight, seven, eight, eight, seven, eight, eight, seven, eight, seven, eight, seven, eight, seven, eight, seven, two, three, four, five, four, five, seven, eight, seven, eight, seven, seven, eight, six, seven, seven, eight, six. All right, Let's go. about you. No wait let me finish I didn't want you about army life pays that it never be home you probably be a widow in two weeks I see have you thought of any particular names of the children no be serious with you this might be the most precious moment in our lives I hope not not need so haven't you got any heart at all yes I have I was gonna stay right where it is I don't know a thing about you Jeff still my brother thinks you're wonderful but then he was dropped on his head when he was a baby well at least you let me kiss you goodbye watching oh well it's quite an honor but no thanks I don't really do well hello say this is quite a surprise the corporal's looking for you says it's very urgent I'll bet it will take this up later right where we left off now George don't be long winded listen kid we're due to leave in a minute now there's something I've got to tell you I'm here to reveal the love with you you sound just like an old kid I'm sorry George a man kid there's something I forgot to ask you if I got any real competition how do you think any girl would answer a question like that was you tell me the truth then you both be crazy get going you bullwhackers through desert heat and dust your throat so soon be choking your heads about to bust no water when you're thirsty and all you get to eat is aromatic and open something but we may not even live to get our pain but even if we don't get paid there ain't no job we've tried hauling break from state to state along the Santa Fe hauling break from state to state along the time to play what I said kid don't worry about that goodbye darling make a little bet kid sure I'm what those two boys I'll give you three to one I can name the winner that's ridiculous it's funny you want I'll take that this good under Kansas unequipped in order display their weapons to public view let that be understood beforehand one of them also that's a fast one on them also that our plans must be known to ourselves alone that they join me in the clear knowledge of all traitors of the cause must die wherever caught and proven to be guilty tell them that we stand by one another while a drop of blood remains that under no threats or pressure do we make confessions see you keep it that way save all of us about a bunch of been delayed with the troublemaker not so we had to detail when I got to the border I picked these new men up and tell my volunteer said better credentials from Illinois you've gone a long way and we'll go the rest of it we came here to fight slavers the sooner the better that's good we'll put you to work at once kids better look after these gentlemen fine this way boys we've received the news we've been waiting for we break camp right here that's it I touch in on these tents now where the Negroes you were told to bring a couple of pros slavers tried to grab us on the train I shot one of them jumped off you left four helpless people alone to save yourself I had to do it father it was me or them you currently fool future obey my instructions we leave it once as once you sent the ravens to save Elijah so now you have delivered into my hands the precious means of continuing thy holy work the Lord our God is a great God Almighty and a terrible who regardless not persons nor take it through war the Lord is a man of war I right hand shall become glorious through power I right hand oh God shall dash in pieces the enemy looking back hey tax these horses pretty tired when are we gonna make camp all soon as we cross the river and then we'll be out of danger both sides you know I'm sure glad we're leaving civilization getting too dangerous for a peace-loving man I run into some of them abolitionist ones but who's this fellow John Brown to talk so much about as far as I know he's just a dirty old windbag in fact he's just your type he's all you ever meet him now but two of them fellas he killed it off the bottom they were friends of mine you mean Jim dole now and welcomes them yeah and that's the reason I sure like to meet up with this year mr. John Brown he's got no quarrel with people like you Tex you do much better to leave him alone you can count me in anyhow even if he ain't harmed no friends of mine I sure hate to miss the good fight Jonathan Smith of Newton what can we do for you I believe you are carrying some freight consigned to me might be if you got something to show for it I have this receipt from the shipper come a long way with an empty wagon haven't you mr. Smith Newton's about a hundred miles from here my home is in Newton sir but my place of business is much closer to the trail oh I see I thought your horses look pretty fresh eight cases of Bibles that's right come on window unpack these Bibles for the person Jason bring up your wagon back down I gotta get them Bibles up back to the park that's a funny thing I've seen that fella somewhere where it seems to me isn't the kind of a face you'd forget my hurry I know in some magazine the Atlantic I think well and he's either from Boston or he's a missionary not something else over across the river lately mr. Smith that murderings come John Brown's on the loose again better keep your eye peeled thank you we shall this stuff sure is heavy for Bibles how would you know you ain't never even saw one back your hands up and keep them up bring up the other wagon a chip look our friend Raider oh this is a surprise the Commission in the cavalry too huh I see you've got the Commission you were after you know these men Raider yes sir very well this one steward comes from a rich slave owning family in Virginia he calls you a lying renegade once and I jumped him for it John Brown him John Brown John Brown I have nothing personal against you men but I will deal harshly with any interference I might have known you'd wind up with us outfit that's one of the troubles with the army's to it they don't teach you to think ahead they do one smart thing they teach you never turn back on an enemy without first making sure he's not saddle ourselves with a killing just to satisfy your personal morals one more murder one mark you any deeper than you are now Mr. Brown I intend to be a marked man back to your horse Raider back to your horse is all of you I've given you fair warning you can keep your heads or lose them as you wish move on I contraband rifles and ammunition gosh then we've been delivering Bibles with triggers on the second chance everybody take cover open fire I didn't do anything all right I'm nobody's gonna hurt you why Jason Brown Brown you want to John Brown sounds yes but I never did anything he made me go along I never killed anyone I swear I'm getting out I'm quitting we've got to take me with you all right bring a horse up George bring up the horses to carry it back boys badly hurt his father's madness really striking home now she had there's a purpose behind that madness one that can't easily be dismissed George you've seen the needle on a compass have you got a whole car to swing around in but it always wobbles back to the north he's driving it just this I've always known why you seem to be late never affected our friendship but it never will but it isn't our job to decide who's right and who's wrong about slavery any more than it is John Browns I guess you're right Jim I'm sorry the next time we shoot an economy you let me do the shoot for my car is a powder holding Lily's looking glass but she looks at herself and that she'll think she's a hundred years old or more of course we're aware that firearms are contrabanded Kansas do you think we do except to go in boxes as freight if we don't what they actually contain I'm just asking that's all doesn't it seem strange to you that Dr. J. Boyce Russell the most prominent religious leader in America should be sending rifles marked as Bibles to John Brown how can I control the marking of crates we once received three tons of gunpowder mark birdseed well then you'll have to examine every creature hall for all we know this contraband may have been slipping through for months Jason listen you've got nothing to be afraid of if you'll be honest with us I want you to answer my question truthfully your father ever mentioned the shipment of rifles when he discussed his plans not to me never confided me just Fred Oliver Fred and Oliver my brothers I don't know where they went they have a dozen places I don't mistake anyone with the best interests of Kansas if I can tell you that we've done as much interest in Kansas as the United States government and I don't fight for investment we were here before the army came and by God free we'd be here when you're gone if you think you can I'll show it what did you find very little boys either too badly hurt or too frightened to talk we leave immediately have them sound assembly what was that you called me a girl darned bandy-legged bushlet now go on he says he talks with God at night God doesn't tell people to kill one another does he miss he's a good man a lot of ways I saw water me those people they killed they got down on their knees and begged them for their lives they struck them with a sword him and Raider and Kits Miller I was there I saw it done and try to stop them but they pushed me aside that's how it was we're starting at once I'll take the first troop Western to come see Stuart you and Custer will take the first platoon of B troop and search thoroughly from Clinton to Dutch Henry's crossing is that clear these are your orders find John Brown and bring him back here alive if possible his forces well armed now and strong in numbers we also suspect that new volunteers are drifting in from the east to join him be on the lookout for them as well retired here respective troops console more of us no one's been called chasing not even you you've committed no crime to be afraid of I'm sick of being afraid I'm sick of hiding like a hundred things I want to walk free like other people Jason you're safe now no I'm not not as long as he keeps killing again that he's right he can't be right can he miss I don't know his reasons may be right Jason they may even be great and good reasons but what your father is doing is wrong terribly wrong and he'll keep on repeating that wrong as long as he lives and I'll never be free of him until one of us is dead I know that now my life don't mean anything but if he dies maybe this whole scheme of his own time with him I'd rather have it that way his life even if he is my father against many thousands I'm gonna tell you where to find him Jason I'm not trying I'm gonna tell you anyway in the house of Schubert Morgan Palmyra that's where they went that's their headquarters tell the soldiers it's better that way his life I guess many thousands one little death Jerby told me everything the whole nightmare of his 15 years even a place where his father is now he said he wanted me to tell the soldiers where Palmyra the house of the man named Schubert Morgan Schubert Morgan Palmyra I wonder if that's the truth Jeff I'm frightened that boy is crippled for life and that man on the train he died for a principal and a man killed him for a person one of them is wrong but which one who knows the answer to that kid everybody in America is trying to decide yes by words in the east and by guns in the west but one day the words will turn in the guns oh Jeff can't be stopped now can't the slaves be freed for it's too late it will be stopped when we hang John Brown and the South can settle our own problem without loss of pride of being forced into it by a bunch of fanatics Jeff what has pride got to do with human lives two things kind of come together down south come pride not even guns oh that's gonna get the same way oh that's me all over come see Custer or can I get in on it too sure how sure it's like you're not don't miss much do you know I've seen you work before son that's where I learned there's credit one more to my account yet I like to let the interest accumulate well good bye goodbye Joe get out don't be long Jim don't remember this with him I love but that little ballad to keep it until I come back goodbye yes hello we did it Jim so I want to keep an eye and kid for me while we're gone will it heck no we're going to hunt John Brown with you watch yeah we come to join up who do we see a couple of flat footed romp us like you in the army why you'd get lost boys you better go home and sleep it off so long once when you were about this high Tex Windy brought home a wolf cub with a broken back you nursed it for weeks but it finally died with his head in your lap you cried for days just a wolf cub probably a grown up to be a killer like it's father what hurt me I ain't had a drink this noon not the way we get them let them over and stack them in the barn yes this looks like the best shipment we've had yet just worked up about him and the old man been arguing for an hour looks like another job for us afraid of thought of it there's point education is a wonderful thing yeah if you can collect on it yeah I signed up because you promised to pay me trained this rabble gang of yours to a solid fast moving you to the fighters taught him how to use these new rifles how to follow orders take a town and army fashion but I haven't received a red sentence in three months now what about it Mr. Rader I enlisted you on the recommendation of friends in the east who said you would work for the cause you've done your job well I have no complaint up to now but our plans are ahead of any personal greed if you feel otherwise you are free to get out but you must decide here and now I want only a loyal man around me you know argument with my loyalty I proved that it also water me in every other time we've rated but you hired me as a military expert at a set price and I'm only asking what's rightly do me and I say that you'll receive it in time only let me think in peace my son is a prisoner in the hands of our enemies even now he may have a rope around his neck and innocent boy who never fired a gun and anger in his life while I stand here powerless to save right our way well what's her next move Bible is said and I for an eye and a tooth for a tooth tomorrow at daybreak we will destroy Delaware crossing the major sort of turned us down to but here we are lieutenant Jim what do you mean trailing us halfway across Kansas we don't want you to get lost you see I know every regular this year country just like my own fate you're sure that's just as dirty I've got a good mind to get a couple of mules and strap you on the back and send you home I find looking fair as those are you make well we need to some of them pants and a cap and then of course it's some soldiers just our size gets killed why all right get back to the end of the column go on before I get that mule we don't have to have been orders since we ain't an army but we will yeah little kid here's about this you skin them alive that's if they got any skin left how many men did he have with him around a hundred maybe more how long since he left three four hours we lost counter time you're the man that had to run in with one of the browns on the train is this in revenge for that yes we're free staters here brown always knew we'd get him someday he didn't get us first maybe some men to help you bury your dad let's see you back to live more we don't want any help this is our fight we don't want you or nobody else to finish it I'm going to take care of John Brown myself get on your way soldier we got work to do I know how you men must feel about this my orders are to break up all armed forces yours John Browns or anyone else's I'm sorry but if you organize under arms I won't be able to draw a line between you that suits us if it's got to be what did you find out kids Miller a two of a cavalry from Fort Leavenworth the head of this way fools she will we're moving camp round up all your men get the wagons ready to roll just food and ammunition we're traveling light and moving fast what about the Negroes we can't take all of them you're not taking any of deliverance I promised you was come I am leaving Kansas now to continue God's holy word for Gideon took ten men of his service did as God had said under and it was so that he did it by night when the men of the wicked city arose early in the morning behold the altar of Baal was cast out please Captain Brown what did that mean what you're gonna do with us means that you're free the first of many millions to whom I shall give freedom from slavery does does just say and so make us free I will go live get food and shelter there are many good people in Kansas who will give you work and protection from now on you must spend for yourselves as other free men do my work here is done lonely bless God with free the cabinet kept his word with free with free with free as a hundred men we'd better send a runner back bring up the rest of the truth better do it tonight I'm going into Palmyra George you alone don't be crazy jeb that town's full of Jayhawks they shoot you on site I'll have to take a chance on that I'm gonna get some other clothes take a couple of men and do some Scotty I'll try to send you back word good luck say do you two fellas still want to join the army oh I've got a job for you it's not picking it's pretty dangerous but I think you're the fellas for it what do you say you mean we're gonna have a real cap in the uniform well we might have to be buried in them but it sure sounds like a deal over in this year man's town yeah I feel just like I was taking a bath in the bathtub without no sides on it the only kind of a tub you ever was it say who could I talk to in this kind of a town without a rousing suspicion the town barber that's right any time a barber can't talk to a stranger he's liable to go crazy on Bob that's it for this part of the world yeah Kansas is all right for men and dogs but it's pretty hard on women and horses look at that brand maybe just bought him from someone they don't sell him nobody rides that brand but a soldier you keep your eye on him till I get back you still got that creepy feeling about this place I don't know where this that of these here chiggers but something's creeping over me why don't you scratch and see if it goes away yeah I reckon that is all it was say I got it now we was on the same train a couple of months ago when that fella got killed you probably got me mixed up with somebody else no sorry I never forget a face although I was a little drunk at the time they are well you so probably had two places being in Tom I along oh just a couple of weeks this ain't no time for barbers the fellas ain't trying to hide their faces for some reason or other are too mean to spend the money yes I've heard you've got some pretty tough customers here say I'm afraid a shave happen with me they'll get up and cut my throat say you ever run across this famous what's his name John Brown sure he came in here once strange looking man with a hemp mark on his throat and Mark what's that oh it's an old barber still position that a little red line that runs all the way around here anybody bore with that mark is bound to be hung that's our say I haven't got one have I not yet maybe this was quite an idea Stuart you're coming in alone first to look around there's this one of your agents I ain't never laid eyes on me for I swear it I don't know from Adam what were you up to what's your move you figured out my next move is plain enough and they teach us how to handle spies when we caught them red handed same treatment for any guys wasn't when you catch them this will make you quite a hero Stuart the class of 54 will turn out in a body for your funeral and even hang your picture in the West Point library this was places to hang get him out of your radar or wasting time just having a last few words with an old classmate of mine and I had them coming to me they're gonna give you a good look at what you came to see sir he was sent here as a spy it's my advice to get rid of him let's bring him up and right away what did you hope to achieve by coming alone to Palmyra the army has orders from Washington to bring you to trial I hope that if I came face to face with you first a lot of unnecessary bloodshed might be avoided for your men and mine we win isn't enough to think that I would surrender myself to you without a fight I hope that you might consider yourself innocent enough to do that half of the people in America believe in your theory a lot of them even condone your methods that'll guarantee you a public trial I'm not on trial but the nation itself are you too stupid and blinded by a uniform to see what I see a dark and evil curse laying all over this land a kindle sin against God can only be wiped out in blood but why in blood the people of Virginia have considered a resolution to abolish slavery for a long time they sense that it's a moral wrong and the rest of the South will follow Virginia's example all I ask is time time time for 30 years I waited for the South to cleanse its soul of this crime since childhood I have been possessed of the fire of correcting this wrong I tried peaceful agitation as God is my witness I tried peaceful means failed long ago now I shall force a decision by bringing both sides into armed conflict letters words talk the time has ended for that strength and action I wanted now not a voice crying in the wilderness but a David armed with the power and the glory David had a son had me son yes absolutely deserted his father and went over to the enemy are you trying to tell me an absolute died because he did his father Jason is dead so be it my son has paid for the sins of this world with his life as once did the son of God it shall not be in vain whether you kill me or not the army will crush you all in the end my advice to you is to find peace with your maker Barbers know how I'll still ask you little beer on weasel I'll cut you a throat where you go I swear I don't know boy this is what you're taking out that way who took the three fellas one of them was Oliver Brown do you see this razor well I'm keeping it and if you move the hair when we get back I'm gonna strap it on your liver and barbecue your carcass I used to my eye close your all together as witnesses to hear my words an enemy to the cause has entered our midst stealthily and by night with the purpose of planning our destruction the hand that has never failed us has come once again to our protection not with malice or revenge that we take this man's life but in just retribution it fits all enemies of mankind all enemies of God George tell him get away it's too tight manny don't tell me how to do this boy I've been rapping white folks all my life when they was babies I wrapped one in and when they growed up and took on too much corn liquor than I wrapped other in all right what makes you leave home well old John Brown said he's gonna give us freedom but shuckings if this year cancers this freedom then I ain't got no use for it no sir me neither I just want to get back home to Texas and set till kingdom last year he and a few others got away in the hills I think I hit one job you already you shut my hat off well it won't matter much nothing will ever break the force of John Brown yet not even death oh you're wrong George he's finished his forces broken forever therefore do I not find favor with guest I'll leave the way to all his people upon the sign for which I awaited oh Lord this is your command the burning boy be no peace in all this land until we have revenge ourselves upon nine enemies as once you smoke the Philistines smite now the fury of iraq upon these blind miss peccaten fools I shall be thy right hand I John Brown shall be the sword of your home stretch that way right across the old trail right over Kansas down into the territory of New Mexico some day we can tell our grandchildren that we open the doors of America to the great Southwest won't we get you just build your railroad I'm not guaranteeing anything if the end of John Brown was our beginning maybe it'll cost a lot more blood and grease but it's going to be worth it and blow the whistle that'll be a day you can live for these young men have all been promoted and are ordered back to Washington splendid new lucky devils I had to wait ten years for my captaincy and I also followed tradition by proposing to my wife the same night would you like some refreshment yes I've learned an idea throw a shoe this morning I'll go wait maybe I can find a free trail I just mentioned this sort of casual how do I know he's gonna take us up on when you start eating this you won't take us up you take us up and out I think it's gonna be hard chewing text in the first we took the horns off of it didn't we that's a page at $30 40 40 a month see that's enough to get fun get what you know this and that what are you planning to do with your extra pay the same thing as you are son want to throw straws that this time this means too much well how are we gonna handle it then it turns I don't trust you selling boys in the moonlight all right let's ask it again George has got something to ask you you have the floor George well I don't know just how to start kit but there's an old Indian woman who hangs around the fort and tells people sports and she's supposed to be a wonder at it and well yes George well she said I'm going to get married soon to a very beautiful girl pretty slick opening remark kit were you ever by any chance a blonde why no not even as a baby are you sure this old woman's never been wrong before absolutely sure well maybe she's still right there's a whole lot of beautiful blondes in the world George let's ask it let's wait a minute kid are you in love with him and not with me I guess I am George you're gonna marry him oh wait a minute I can handle this proposal from NASA kid you really mean that you haven't asked me anything yet I wonder if I said the wrong thing hmm couldn't have been more perfect now where's that in it what she said get you know the linger she says that this is one of the last times we'll all of us be together as friends I'll ask you something sensible who's gonna be the first general when they should have won a gun oh my god American my time for you she says that one day you'll all be famous man great in battle but better enemies pickin hood custard shirt and long street me enemies now I know she's crazy where'd you ever pick up this old figure George I can tell better foursons than that with TV well I might look at our money's worth ask her what we're gonna fight about yeah who's going to start it we're going to show you me God what's this too ridiculous to tell she says the fight is already started somewhere in the east a man is lighting a torch now at this very moment the two of us will help to kill them but none of us can stop him attack first the arsenal of Harper's Ferry give me only a hundred good man dr. Russell well-armed and God-fearing man who believed in the cause I will lead them through Virginia rouse the thousands of discontented slaves who will flock to join us then sweep down through the south through the Carolinas Georgia Alabama Mississippi then with the entire nation in the state of chaos we can dictate our own terms have you considered the army captain Brown surely they'll be after you in full force within a few hours after you first attack let them come dr. Russell let them try to stop me I've studied that country for years it's full of good hiding places natural force where large forces of brave men can defy pursuit indefinitely Mr. Raider will go ahead of us and scout the town yes sir with his knowledge of military methods and our great advantage of surprise we can outwit the army at every turn Captain Brown this plan of yours is mad worse than mad it's high treason such a brazen attack would lead to civil war exactly that is exactly what I want is it your wish then to destroy the union my answer to that is yes to the devil with the union we've got to fight sometime it might as well be now gentlemen I came here to Boston at great personal risk there's a price in my head of ten thousand dollars so my time is precious you've given me much help and encouragement up to now but all that we have done in Kansas and elsewhere will be wasted unless you see it through to the glorious end how much money will you need ammunition types a complete store of supplies the place in the RS set Harper's Ferry daybreak Monday October the 16th it was strike with two forces suddenly was complete surprise and then move rapidly to Virginia you men all know what will be demanded of yes well we did get a little bit better he made good time speak up anything wrong at Harper's Ferry the town itself won't be any trouble there's a bridge of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad to be blocked we got to cut that telegraph line to Washington what about the government arson it's guarded by only two men and I made this rough map of the place excellent this is precisely what I wanted we must first take some hostages from the town I'll prevent an attack by the civilians and we move directly on the arson there's something else what I want to settle our account back in Kansas you promised to pay me what's due when you got the money how dare you demand a settlement or a private matter with the nation's hour of deliverance not three days off that's putting the cart before the horses I've done a job for you nobody else could do so I was right at Palmyra the cause itself means nothing I'm only holding you to your word are you indeed if you've forgotten so quickly my mess with this loyalty I haven't forgotten anything you've got the money to pay me you can't afford not I haven't waited 30 years to bargain with a rogue at the final hour you ever see me Walt I've heard of it but this ain't no Santa Fe shakedown society now come on may I have the invitations please gentlemen what's there and then a little white card we ain't got no invitations Joe can't we get in on our uniform no sir not unless you want to go right out on the ground again with the fellas who cleaned up Kansas it's never a device sorry so but we don't need no cleaning even as a party she hasn't come out yet we waiting for a friend of mine I'm surprised tonight and I didn't remember the rest of my life you don't know any girl here the kitchen not talking if you don't rate quite as high as you think you do if you look one thank you George was just telling me you promised him the biggest night of his life where do I come in you don't I'm very far thank you can't I haven't told you this but we have a deep understanding wait a minute kid you serious what is this I'm going to take care of George for the rest of his life kid that is the man I think he is oh kid I have my fault but I can be as faithful and loyal as any man that ever lived to see now wait here both of them tough luck son I guess we can't all have charm and good luck still I hope you're joking or you're not gonna be there oh don't take it so hard I mean this is something that happened to them I want you to be captain cut and captain Stuart this is Charlotte Davis we were schoolmates together in Boston pleasure thank you yes indeed a great pleasure I've heard so much about your captain cut me well I well that is I mean that well well that is I shall we dance to yes of course that's the blog the one that George was promised by all sitting in the mud I say pretty nice but I think an addict heavily armed and me with only 15 soldiers heaven's captain how terrifying what did you do I sized up the situation at a glance dismounted and walked straight toward him not not alone my dear young lady there comes a time in every soldier's life when he must stand or fall alone and if you knew the army you'd understand that he who has a face has lost always nothing really would you come and meet my father kept me delighted in the government service yes I think you lose the job in the next election oh that's too bad say he should be in the army no politics don't bother us he'd rather go fishing anyway father hello Charlotte hello clearly down father I'd like you to meet Captain George Custer oh but of course I met the captain at West Point when he graduated didn't that yes sir hi customer I'm fine Colonel Lee we've heard good things about you congratulations yes the captain's just been telling me how I put down the trouble in Kansas by himself split a job pile man I was splendid wasn't there also a chapter named Stuart to chair Stuart connected with that campaign Stuart yes sir he was around shall we dance once or any I don't want her I want you come on you can't even stand alone in the middle of ballroom quiet spread Phil Phil take over this detail will you okay if I'm not I ought to be able to stand up and knock anybody down what are you talking about old friend of yours is outside he asked me to bring you toward it's real I almost touched it what are you doing yeah I came to find you I know what you think of me Stuart that I'm no good maybe you're right but maybe I've got something to tell you that will change your opinion you'll have a hard time doing that suppose I told you that I left John Brown three hours ago with a well armed force of men not very many miles from where we're standing I'd say you were out of your mind all set to strike at Harper's Ferry on the Maryland Virginia line sometime tonight the reinforcements of over 1200 men expected for daybreak from Pennsylvania Brown plans to arouse the slaves first in Virginia then throughout the South and open rebellion telegraph wires will be cut and he'll block the railroad and then at daybreak they rush the awesome take thousands of weapons with the idea of arming the Negroes well that's the situation gentlemen move from move I don't know you may be able to get there ahead of them but if you do you've got to move fast tonight it's fantastic our Secret Service has reported John Brown to be out of the country well I ought to know where he is I've been with him every day and every mile since we left Kansas and why have you informed on him don't forget Colonel I was in the service once I was young and I made a mistake I didn't know that then but I do now I guess some of the things we learned at West Point stay on inside of us a lot deeper than we realize anyway I couldn't stand by and see my country torn apart by a madman like Brown I had to come here this was something a lot bigger than myself couldn't have been the size of the reward you'll get the turning him in could I said why I came here and that's the truth I am entitled any reward I'm even willing to go back there and rejoin him tonight just in case he gets suspicious or changes his plans now what more proof do you want than that I believe in because it's too dangerous not to I'll soon can you start Colonel we'll be ready to leave in an hour the officers are all here Colin at once and proceed with all speed to Harpers Ferry your orders Captain Stewart yes John Brown get the little Davis go up taking on winter valley but I'm sorry I can't explain now no time try to keep the others calm tell them there's nothing to be excited about goodbye goodbye you say no train is due until well after daybreak no sir not until late at clock I rode within 10 miles of Washington to make sure what kept you so long I take a side road both ways shoe book towns we get your men block the railroad bridge we meet below the arson what daybreak kids really go to the town with 20 men and get the hostages you know the ones yes rest you men follow me ammunition near the door ready to hold the party of boys get them out there Pennsylvania will be here within the hour this isn't an arsenal it's a fortress we could stand off the whole army here what about the prisoners Captain what is the meaning of this outrage why have you broken into our homes and drive this here who are you I am John Brown of Kansas John you are prisoners of the provisional government of the United States the citizens of Harpers Ferry attempt any interference I shall use you as I see fit otherwise you will be peacefully released when we depart we must adhere to our schedule to the precise minute we will leave here at 10 o'clock my night fall we should be 35 miles into Virginia what about the men from Pennsylvania sir they're late in arriving we cannot wait wouldn't that be taking a long chance no word of us can leak out until tomorrow maybe even two or three days and then we'd be 1500 men I don't see that there's any reason to hurry that's not sensible I disagree I'm anxious to get out of here in time as I'm always valuable weapon you're in command sir but that's been the fatal mistake to many an expedition my advice is to wait we can clean them out in five minutes can't they understand those of your fellow townsmen you will do as I say yes John Brown promises the good of the whole those fools at the foot of the hill ammunition you can carry with me the purpose for the killed 33 wounded by John Brown's invaders in open rebellion the road to Harpers Ferry is blocked unable to get through church and God's and the Winchester's under these command passed through up a field an hour ago they will be the first to arrive at the very road sir no throat is over there this is the Washington turnpike I thought I'm in my circle the town is not their orders help with the wagon but don't you think we ought to wait another half hour it might be no cause to hurry wait sure I thought we had time do it yes sir I want you to take this under a white flag to John Brown right you know partly yes or no if it's a refusal wave your head to us right hang on to this one thanks to Mr. Radar we now meet again please formal demand for your surrender once more sir you overrate your strength and supposing that I can be taken against my will that's your final answer we prefer to die here I see something else up there something much more terrible than just one man have you any last words done wrong walking is God for ordained I should all my actions even the follies leading to this disaster were decreed to happen long ages before this world began but I cannot remember a night so dark as to have hindered the coming day or a storm so furious as to prevent the return of warm sunshine in the country at peace I John Brown I'm now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land can never be purged away but with blood let them hang may God forgive them but they know not what they do all such enemies of the union all such phones of the human race to the other and I've declared the same by giving and receiving a ring and by joining hands I pronounce that they are man and wife united forever with ties that no man shall break the Sunday nor the years to stir shining past shall run together from this day hence unto eternity