They Came to Cordura

How far is Col. Rogers | from this ranch?

About 30 miles southwest.

Does somebody claim Pancho Villa | might actually be there?

All we know is two | or three hundred Mexicans...

...under two of Villa's generals...

...attacked the town | of Carrizal yesterday.

Defeated the Mexican regulars | and then moved on to this ranch.

- How do you pronounce it? | - Ojos Azules.

It's owned by an American woman.

If all she's got is a bullet through | the brain, she's luckier than most.

- Can't get through yet? | - No, sir!

Keep trying.

- Not much of a story. | - Not much of a war.

Wind, sand, silence.

We're chasing one man, | Pancho Villa...

...over some of the wildest country | on earth.

You can me quote as saying that:

The punitive expedition U.S. Army...

...has him completely surrounded. | On one side.

Gentlemen, this is Major Thorn. | Mr. Kinglake, "New York World..."

...Mr. Dyson, "The Sun." | - Major.

The major has been designated | as awards officer by General Pershing.

Weren't you the executive officer | of the 28th Calvary...

...under Colonel Rogers? | - That's right, sir.

Then you were with Rogers when Villa | crossed the New Mexico border...

...and attacked the town of Columbus.

- Got a field officer, I don't understand... | - Major.

Your recommendation | for the Medal of Honor...

...for this sergeant... | - Boyce, sir. Sgt. Boyce.

Been approved | by the War Department.

It came over the wire | several hours ago.

- You can tell him he's officially a hero. | - Boyce is dead.

He was killed yesterday | in the fight at Guerrero.

That's hard news. I'm sorry.

I have another one with me. | A boy named Hetherington.

What he did was worth the medal. | I intend to recommend him for it.

- Does he know? | - Not yet.

Colonel, I would like to keep him | out of action and alive.

Until the medal is approved. | That's the least we can do.

Permission to send him back to base | at Cordura until we know?

- Granted. | - Made contact with Col. Rogers, sir.

His scouts confirm our reports.

Wants permission to force march | immediately and attack on sight.

Old Rogers wants a fight. | Wants it badly.

Tell him to go ahead.

I can start early | and join up with him...

...at the base of the mountain | at Cusihuiriachic.

All right, Tom.

Does this order apply to anyone I may | want to recommend for the citation?

- Yes, it does. | - Thank you, sir.

- Colonel? | - Yes?

Don't you think it's a little unusual, | placing all this stress on awards?

I mean, appointing an officer | of field grade as awards officer...

...and allowing him to take men | out of action.

- Or is this Army custom? | - There are good reasons.

- Would you care to mention them? | - All right. Let me read you something.

"Paris, April 17, 1916.

The German bombardment of Verdun | continued for the 43rd day.

Despite terrible punishment, | the French army still holds firm."

Gentlemen, our country is gonna need | an army soon. A big one.

With spirit to go with it.

In the meantime, it will have some | live heroes to think about.

Colonel, I'd like to do a story | on Major Thorn.

- The answer is no. | - Why not?

He's a sort of Homer on horseback. | Galloping around the country...

...looking for bravery in battles.

- Make a wonderful story. | - I said, no.

You want to go to General Pershing, | you'll get the same answer.

Wind, sand and silence.

And censorship.

Now, from the top of the mountain | to the hacienda. How far?

Maybe a mile, "mas o menos."

Ask how many of Villa's men | passed through yesterday.

One says 100, maybe 200. | The other says maybe 400.

They are quartered here | in the ranch at Ojos Azules.

Now, this Geary woman | who owns the ranch...

What can she do?

- These bandits take what they want or... | - She's giving aid to the enemy.

- She takes no sides, Seor Colonel... | - No sides? Why, she's an American.

Gentlemen, you've heard | what's going on in France.

Well, you've seen signs of it here. | Planes, trucks.

The day of the soldier on horse | is over, they say.

This may be the last | cavalry campaign ever fought.

Well, if it is, we're gonna show them | something they'll never forget.

At daybreak, I'm going to line | this entire regiment up...

...in single line abreast.

And we're going to have a last, | classic cavalry charge.

- I wish we had our sabres, sir. | - Son, I wish we had them too.

Sir, did you say regiment in line, | single line abreast?

You bet I said it.

I beg your pardon. We've never seen | regiment in line. Even on parade.

Then this is your lucky day | because you're gonna see it now.

Now, gentlemen, let's all pray God | in his goodness will give us this battle.

We'll leave here at 3:00.

That should bring us to the top | of the mountain by dawn.

That's all, gentlemen. Get some sleep.

Yes, Tom?

These are my orders | from Col. DeRose.

- Is he one of your heroes? | - Yes, sir.

You understand, Tom, that you too | are to take no part in this action.

I understand, sir.

Can't you sleep, son?

Sure is cold. Gets in your bones | nights and stays there all day.

I would like to read you something.

"Andrew L. Hetherington, Private.

L Troop, 6th Calvary, | for conspicuous gallantry...

...at risk of life above and beyond | the call of duty.

On 14 of April, 1916, at Guerrero."

I'm recommending you | for the Congressional Medal of Honor.

This is the highest honour | our country can give a soldier.

I'm sending it to Washington. | Meanwhile, you'll be sent to Cordura.

Stay there until we get the telegraph | from the War Department approving it.

That is why you won't fight tomorrow.

Hetherington, I'd like to ask | you a personal question.

I'd appreciate your answering.

What you did at Guerrero | was a very brave thing.

What made you do it?

Try to remember. | It's very important to me.

Try to remember how it was. | What you felt. What you thought.

- Major. | - Yes?

I'm sorry I got to crying. | I couldn't help it.

I did remember how it was, | but I didn't wanna say.

The honest truth is that at Guerrero, | the Lord took hold of me.

- The Lord? | - You see, major, I'd lost the faith.

Faith in what?

My father's church, | Christ Resurrected.

- Was he a preacher? | - Evangelist.

We were always travelling. | At meetings...

...he'd play trombone, my mother | the organ. I recited the Bible.

Would you believe by the time I was 8, | I knew the whole Bible by heart.

Try me. Any verse, any chapter.

- I believe you, son. | - I should know it.

He beat it into me.

I lost the faith and ran away.

But at Guerrero, sir, I found it again.

The Lord took hold of me again. | I swear he did.

I'm sure glad I won't | have to fight tomorrow.

Line the troops in column of fours!

Line the troops in column of fours!

Line the troops in column of fours!

Line the troops in column of fours!

Line the troops in column of fours!

Line the troops in column of fours!

Line the troops in column of fours!

Guidons out!

Line of troops in column of twos!

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