The Guns of Fort Petticoat

Peace.

You warriors are far from the reservation.

We carry no arms.

The Cheyenne signed a treaty. You

can't leave the reservation without permission.

No guns, no bows and arrows.

In the north, many ranches

were burned, people murdered.

We search for those who have done this.

To the south

we trade with our brothers.

In peace we return

to our farms and women.

Next time, obey the treaty.

The Colonel will be disappointed

to have nobody to shoot at.

Yeah.

Come in.

Lieutenant Hewitt is here, sir.

Send him in.

Lieutenant?

Welcome back, Hewitt.

Thank you, Captain.

What did you find?

We ran across a band of Cheyenne.

But not the renegades we want.

How do you know?

They came from the south.

They were unarmed.

But they were illegally

off the reservation.

They said it was a trading mission.

"They said."

Have the bugler sound assembly.

Yes, sir.

What are you gonna do?

Teach them a lesson.

Double the ammunition ration.

Yes, sir.

You can't do that.

Don't forget yourself, Lieutenant.

Dismissed.

We don't attack friendly tribes.

I preserve treaties and keep the

peace. I said you were dismissed.

Every other tribe - the Paiute, the

Comanche - will use it as an excuse

to join the Cheyenne on the warpath.

Not with me here to stop them.

And south of here?

South?

Texas, sir. The South's used all

its manpower in the Confederate army.

We're fighting the South.

If putting Indians on the warpath

helps us to win, I've no objection.

We're not fighting

against women and children.

There's hardly any men left in Texas.

Your being from Texas wouldn't

have anything to do with it?

A man fights

for what he thinks is right.

You're being insubordinate. And

you're in the wrong colour uniform.

One of us is dressed wrong, Colonel.

Lieutenant, you're under arrest and

confined to quarters until I return.

You fixed yourself up good,

didn't you?

Did you hear what he said?

I got ears.

Well, remember it.

Lebbard?

Yes, sir?

See this gets to General Firewell.

What are you gonna do?

Somebody's got to warn the settlers.

You know what'll happen if you leave

I'll worry when the time comes.

You're just being plain crazy.

Charge!

Hey, ain't you misread your compass

needle? This is the Texas border.

I know.

Have you had any Indian trouble here?

This far south?

I'd like a canteen of water

What for?

Do you ask everyone the same thing?

Only if it's a Northern soldier

trying to sneak into Texas as a spy.

I am from Texas.

In that uniform?

Better hold him.

Here, use these.

They were after guns and ammunition.

Don't go to sleep

cos they'll be back. Here.

Where are you going, mister?

You're still aiming to hold me?

Yeah.

Till you get what you were after.

Thanks.

It's all clear, Sheriff.

I sent for the doctor.

I'd better get you something

to cover up that uniform

till you get where you're going.

Try this.

I have got people to talk to.

I'd like to get close enough

before they shoot.

Folks is sensitive to that colour

around here.

Say, just exactly what are you?

I guess you could say I'm a deserter.

From which side?

Both, I suppose.

I'll get you that food and water.

Hey, Stellal

Stellal We've got company.

If he'll stay for dinner,

can we have peaches?

Maybe.

Go back to the house.

Go on. Mind me!

Hi, Stella.

I thought you'd gone for good.

So did I.

But you couldn't stay away.

No, Stella. In fact, I deserted.

Well, you're late. I'm married.

You're not the only man in the world

Wait a minute...

Wait? Am I supposed to wait forever?

Let me tell you - one week

after you left, I got married.

To a good man, too. Ed Leathem.

That's his kid brother, Bax.

Two weeks ago there was a massacre

of Cheyenne at Sand Creek.

My regiment did it.

Now the Indians are on their way.

Indians. You made that up fast

Get off my land.

Stella, wait!

Your best chance is at the mission.

Damn Yankee!

Get her there, Bax.

Damn Yankee!

Hello, Miss Hannah.

Don't you recognise me? Frank Hewitt.

I don't recognise no traitors.

The Comanches are on their way.

I figured you're

the strongest woman of them all.

If you want to scare us off our land

so you can claim it, you're stupid.

I only want to help.

You'd better listen.

Listen? I've already listened

to three husbands in my time.

Maybe I'll listen to three more.

Now, you listen.

Our menfolk are fighting your kind.

We don't want what you call help

and I call lies.

Get going before you need patches

on them blue breeches.

Don't you dare, you dirty renegade!

No more trouble out of you, now.

Who are you? What's your name?

Ann Martin.

Are you Jeff Martin's girl?

Where's your pa?

He's dead. You'd be dead too

if he taught me how to shoot.

I'm not here to do you any harm.

Indians are on the warpath.

I want you to get to the mission

as fast as you can.

I'm sorry about your pa.

Now, you start running.

Ann, your father and I were friends.

If you're pig-headed enough

to stay here and get slaughtered,

there's nothing I can do about it.

Keep moving, Yankee.

I was a horse's hindsight

for ever coming here.

You get!

Mr Turncoat, I guess

I didn't talk very clear last time.

Nor did I. So maybe this will help.

Dora Hartley.

The way the Comanches left her.

That's an ugly way of telling things

You wouldn't listen to me.

You had to be shown.

There are things to do. Let's go.

Most merciful Father, who has

been pleased to take unto Thyself

the soul of this,

thy servant, Dora Hartley,

grant unto us,

who are still in our pilgrimage,

who walk as yet by faith,

that we may join Thy blessed saints

hereafter in glory everlasting.

# Now all my money's spent and gone

# You pass by my door,

a singer, a song

# Now all my money's spent and gone#

Good afternoon.

How do you do?

La-di-dah. I thought

all the real men were away fightin'.

Are you ladies from around here?

Certainly not. I'm Mrs Charlotte

Ogden of the Charleston Ogdens.

The first thing I wish to make clear

is that I am not with this... this...

Er, creature?

Thank you.

Our driver left two days ago to

find a new wagon when we broke down.

I thought I should bring 'em here.

You did right.

Put a wheel on this vehicle,

and we shall be on our way.

That won't be possible.

We're expecting Indians.

Indians?

Men Indians?

You might as well alight.

Indians!

Indians!

Where's my rifle?

Get down over there!

You should have seen yourselves.

You, too, yellow-liv...

Stand easy, son.

What's wrong? Can't take a joke?

Not when it isn't funny.

I thought you should hear the sound

of the only Indian within 100 miles.

Or maybe you believe your tall tale.

If Dora Hartley could speak

from the grave, she'd tell you.

She was killed by a stray.

What if you're wrong?

If he's right, we should run so fast

the wind would knock over the trees.

By the time you ladies

made up your minds, the Comanches

could have closed off the valley.

Two days ago would've been different.

We're asking about today

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes