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

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