Custer of the West Page #6

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and I did it.

I never answer

"I can't with them".

Things have changed.

No, you have changed.

How long is it since

you rode a horse...

...or since they last shot

at you?

You're only a messenger boy...

...for the railroads

and the politicians.

You were a soldier.

I would like to see

your hair...

...in my house's wall.

Listen to me, General.

When the war over you came

to me looking for a job.

I offered several,

but you rejected all.

You wanted action, that's what

you said. "I want action".

And you get it,

and you get glory too,

The only thing that

you have cared for.

That's what it is.

You are a glory hunter.

George, we're a little drunk

now...

...so we'll forget what

we have said here tonight.

Go home.

Maybe you're right, Phil.

Dear, I need pen and ink.

I got to write a letter.

A letter to the President?

Any objections?

Would you like to dictate it?

- Yeah.

- Whenever you're ready.

"To his excellency...

...the President

of the United States...

...etc., etc.

Dear Sir...

...I have written to you during

the past months three times...

...without the courtesy

of an answer.

Besides...

...you have refused me

the interview...

...which simple justice demands.

Because of your intervention,

I stand...

...a man condemned,

a man without trial.

Get all that?

Read it to me.

"Sir, my regiment

has been ordered...

...to join the expedition about

to move against the Indians.

I appeal to you...

...not as the President

of the United States...

...but as one soldier

to another.

Spare me the humiliation

of seeing my regiment...

...march to meet the enemy...

...and not share

in it's dangers".

One soldier to another.

Libby...

...I think you might

have done it.

Attention! Open the gates!

- Welcome back, sir.

- Thank you, Captain.

Welcome back, General.

Thank you.

Let's get right to it,

gentlemen.

Now then, this campaign's going

to be a joint operation.

General Cook in the South.

General Gibbons

from the North.

7th cavalry from the east.

Geronimo here,

Little Big Horn, June the 26th.

We should've hit them

three months ago.

From my scout report, there's

more than a few hostiles.

True, they're building up

strength everyday.

Cheyenne, Sioux, the Awpahla

the Munikhanja.

- Give me the reports, Major.

- Yes, sir.

General, it could be their

big move...

...to push us clean across

the Mississippi.

Right, right.

The picture here in Little Big

Horn will bring the resistance.

This may be our last chance

to fight, Major.

You lost a button.

I'll sew it on to you,

it's only a minute.

Where's my needle?

I had it a second ago.

Where is it? I just had it here.

Doesn't matter.

Well, it was just here...

Dear, don't bother about it.

But it would be so simple

to sew on if I had it.

Your needle was in my coat

Forward!

First squad.

Second squad.

Third squad.

Come on!

Come on!

We're covered a lot

of ground, sir.

When do we make camp?

We don't, Lieutenant,

General's orders.

- Keep the troops moving.

- Yes, sir.

If we keep pushing at this rate,

we're going to reach...

...the Little Big Horn a day

before those other two columns.

He wants to win the war

single handed, Benteen.

I don't think he cares

whether he wins or not...

...as long as he's up there

leading that charge.

Why do you want

to get there first?

Because first is first

and second's nobody

When we cross the river,

we'll split to three columns.

Yes, sir.

Three columns!

Sioux...

Maybe 3 or 400.

- Which way are they headed?

- They're just waiting.

- Sergeant!

- Sir!

Have the men take cover

in those trees and set up...

...a perimeter defense.

- Yes, sir. Take cover!

Go to the trees!

- Did you see anything?

- No, nothing.

There's about 500 Sioux

behind that ridge, waiting.

- Where's Custer?

- Haven't shown up yet.

We'll wait. Have your men

deployed in the trees.

- Corporal!

- Sir?

- Dismiss the men.

- Yes, sir.

All forward! Out!

- Halt! Hawes!

- Sir?

- You wait here, I'll go ahead.

- Alone, sir?

- With a scout.

- Could I go with you, sir?

There might be some action!

Hot for glory,

ain't you Lieutenant?

You don't win a General's star

staying behind, do you, sir?

Your orders are to take over

unless you...

...hear from me directly, you do

not advance beyond this point.

- Clear?

- Yes, sir.

Cheer up. You may get your

chance at promotion yet.

- Scout!

- Halt!

Halt!

You just lead your peoples

back to the reservations.

You must go back.

I have been waiting for you,

yellow hair.

There are three armies

on the way.

They'll wipe you out.

They'll be here tomorrow.

Today is a good day

for fighting.

Our fighting.

It's over.

It's over, I tell you.

Trains.

Steel.

Guns that kill by thousands,

no horses.

It's over.

Steel.

Yes, steel.

No men.

It's...

...finished.

This is all over.

Men, for the last time...

Sound the charge, Sergeant!

We're going after Custer!

But Lieutenant,

he told us to wait!

I'm in command.

Sound the charge!

Yes, sir. Troops Ho!

Stay back, Lieutenant.

I told you to stay put.

Sounded like you were

being attacked.

Beef up your flank and get it

in the middle.

You had to wait!

- Hawes!

- Sir?

Take a message to Reno

and Benteen.

I want those men

up here quick.

Yes, sir.

You four at the end

of the column, follow me.

Sergeant.

We're gonna have to stand here.

Form a perimeter.

Okay, give the order.

- Dis-mount.

- Dismount!

I can't tell you what's

going on out there, Captain.

He's probably met up with

those Indians...

...he's been chasing so hard.

He's found what

he's looking for.

Whatever happens, Captain,

it's his own doing.

He's getting what he wants.

Most of us never do.

Captain...

...you might say he's luckier

than you and me.

Take your hands off me, Major.

All right! Go on!

But don't you forget, Captain,

for the record.

I'm cold stone sober.

Halt!

Back, back!

Alright, soldiers!

Hold your fire until

I give the order.

Fire!

He's saving you for the last.

I know.

Don't let him take you, sir.

Go!

Charge!

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