They Died with Their Boots On Page #6

Appoint one. The senior man

listed as Cavalry colonel.

- I don't know who he is, sir.

- Find out later.

- Dictate an order now.

- Yes, sir.

Take this, corporal.

I've been instructed to inform you you've

been promoted to Brigadier General.

Proceed to Hanover and assume command

of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade.

General Scott, sir. News.

Lee has invaded Pennsylvania.

- His patrols are near Gettysburg.

- Near Gettysburg!

This means a reconcentration.

Come with me, gentlemen.

- Sign this order, sir?

- Come, Taipe.

Yes, sir.

Gettysburg.

Where the deuce is Gettysburg?

This is your tent.

I'll unpack your kit.

The officers' mess

is at the end of the road.

Excuse me, lieutenant. I represent

George Straith Limited, military tailors.

We serve General Grant,

General Sherman, General Scott.

- Any requirements? Greatcoat? Breeches?

- No, thanks.

We can cut a fine tunic

for a figure like yours, lieutenant.

There's any ideas that you have of your

own, we'd be glad to incorporate them.

- No, thanks.

- There's a shell jacket that's admired.

- Particularly by the ladies.

- Shut up and leave me alone.

You're out of sorts, but if

you'd give me a chance...

Shut up and get out!

- Welcome back, general.

- Hello, general.

General? I'll have you know, gentlemen,

I'm in no mood for humor.

Good afternoon, general.

- Orderly, I'd like a little coffee, please.

- Congratulations, general.

That's enough of this fooling.

- Next man will find a limit to my patience.

- For General Custer.

- I'll take this from anyone but you.

- Wait, we're not being funny.

The Lord knows how or why,

but you are a general.

- What do you mean?

- Orders.

A letter from headquarters to Brigadier

General George Armstrong Custer.

- Is this someone's idea of a joke?

- There are no jokes in orders.

This makes less sense to me

than it does to you.

Must be a mistake. They don't

make generals out of shavetails.

I'd ask for verification if I were you.

Well, you don't happen to be me, Sharp.

If there are four regiments of cavalry

waiting for a general named Custer...

...then they've got him.

Hey.

Hi. Hey, tailor.

Hey. Tailor, come here.

Yesterday there was fighting

20 miles from here.

Our army was driven out of Gettysburg

and occupies a ridge below town.

The orders are to concentrate below this

hill marked Big Round Top on the map.

Jeb Stuart's moving

to flank us from the south.

Undoubtedly. As senior colonel,

I'll assume command...

...if this brigadier hasn't arrived

by the time we move.

Who this Custer is and why he's

not here, I don't know.

Turn out the guard.

Commanding officer.

We'll get a chance to see

what he looks like now.

Judas priest, what's that?

He's got more gold braid on him

than a French admiral.

Gentlemen, we might as well

reach an understanding at first sight.

After seeing your columns

and your transports...

...I'm here to tell you that this brigade is

through with inefficiency as of today.

It's going to learn the meaning of

smartness and orders are to be obeyed.

- Do I make myself clear?

- Yes, sir.

We're ready to move, sir.

Brigade's ordered to concentrate on

Round Top, just south of Gettysburg.

What's that?

Probably enemy patrol

raiding the supply column.

Lee's in Gettysburg,

Stuart's cavalry's in the South.

Rejoin your units. Be prepared to move

in 10 minutes. Columns headed east.

- East?

- What?

- But the orders.

- To the devil with the orders.

We'll ride to the sound of the guns.

Things look better now.

With Cemetery back in our hands

and Sickles' front restored but...

Yesterday we lost 20,000 men.

Pickett's reinforced Longstreet.

- Massing to attack our center.

- I'm not worried about that.

I'm worried about Jeb Stuart.

Why hasn't he turned

the flank at Round Top?

He knows our cavalry's

concentrated to stop him.

When did our cavalry stop Jeb Stuart?

If he turns us, the position's lost.

Washington and Baltimore will fall.

Hanover?

Stuart. Stuart's caught at Hanover.

It's a mistake.

- Get verification at once.

- It has been verified, sir.

He's on our rear. We're trapped.

All that stands between us

and total disaster...

...is the Michigan Brigade.

Handful of volunteers.

But they were ordered to Round Top.

- It's on its way now.

- Then stop it, Taipe. Stop it.

Tell it to hold its ground

to the last man.

Who's the brigadier?

- Why...

- Who is he, Taipe?

Why...

Corporal Smith.

As you were. Who's the new commander

of the Michigan Cavalry?

- General Custer, sir.

- General Custer.

- Custer? What Custer's that?

- George Armstrong Custer.

Here's a copy of the order.

- What is this? How did this happen?

- Well, who is he?

Heaven help us, sir.

The Michigan Brigade is led by

the most irresponsible...

...rattle-brained second lieutenant

in the Army.

Seventh Michigan, forward.

Trot!

Gallop!

Charge!

We'll take immediate action

with Custer.

This Custer of yours is

insubordinate, all right.

Thank God for it.

He's not marching on Round Top.

- He's attacking Stuart at Hanover!

- Attacking? Attacking a whole corps?

Rather than hold his ground,

the mad fool is attacking!

That was a gallant charge,

men, even if it failed.

Sergeant, see that the wounded

are taken care of.

Senior colonel presents

his compliments.

Fifth and 6th Michigan are

formed for attack. Any orders?

Try more weight.

Fifth and 6th attack together.

Very good. Where will the general's

headquarters be located?

Headquarters? In front

of the attacking regiment.

Fifth and 6th Michigan, forward!

Trot!

Gallop!

Charge!

The order in question, being

erroneous, is hereby revoked...

...and as of today, revert

to second lieutenant.

Never mind that, Taipe.

"Consecutive attacks by 7th, 6th,

5th Michigan Cavalry...

...are repulsed by losses near Hanover.

- Enemy advance continues."

- Three regiments ruined by a fool.

Three out of our last four.

Ride, you Wolverines!

First Michigan, charge!

What is it? What is it?

Read it to me, man.

"Stuart retiring in disorder after assault

by Michigan Cavalry...

...enemy abandoning guns."

And now, gentlemen...

...if Meade can hold the ridge

at Gettysburg...

...by God's grace,

the Union will be safe.

General...

...about this Custer matter...

...what do you propose to do?

- Do? Do, Taipe?

Oh, yes, Custer.

I intend to walk across the street...

...and buy myself a double portion

of creamed Bermuda onions.

- Charles, good to see you.

- Welcome.

Welcome home, general. Welcome home.

We're proud of you...

...and proud to know that one of our

townsmen has won such glory.

- You're a credit to Monroe and the Army.

- Thank you, sir.

Now, the parade will form

on Elm Street...

...turn into D Street,

cross the parkway...

...and then march right up Main Street.

Kindly stay on the sidewalks.

Those wanting to march along,

do so after the committee.

The band will lead the parade,

followed by myself and General...

Libby.

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