At the gallop, ho!
Fort Laramie
Fort Laramie, starring Raymond Burr as Captain Lee Quince.
Especially transcribed tales of the dark and tragic ground of the wild frontier.
The saga of fighting men who rode the rim of empire.
And the dramatic story of Lee Quince, Captain of Cavalry.
The War Department
Well, I still don't understand it, Captain.
I don't imagine the War Department worries itself about what you and I think, Gorse.
What I mean is, it only makes plain sense that a troop of men ought to be called a troop, not a company.
What's wrong with company, Sergeant?
I don't know, Captain, but it kind of makes us out to be an infantry outfit, don't it?
That bothers you.
I join the cavalry, not a bunch of road builders and day laborers.
I'm not sure Captain Lawson and his men would like to hear themselves called that.
I didn't exactly mean any disrespect to him, sir.
I know any frontier post ought to have some infantry stationed on it.
But I just think somebody ought to get around to changing the designation company.
That's a good enough name during the Civil War.
I guess so.
Well, cheer up, Gorse.
May take them ten years, but sooner or later they'll change it.
And I'll be commanding a troop instead of a company.
Yes, sir.
I'll be a whole heap older by 85, and I'll sure feel better by it.
All right, Sergeant, have Corporal Mercer make out some copies of this,
then post one at the Sadler's shop, another at the AQM stores.
Yes, sir.
Captain?
What is it?
Looks like Lieutenant Sybert's and the men coming through the main gate now, sir.
They're about seven hours late.
Come on, let's go meet them.
Platoon, halt!
Prepare to dismount!
Dismount!
That's pretty ragged.
Yes, sir.
Sergeant Glass, take over. Dismiss the platoon.
Sergeant Gorse, have Lieutenant Sybert report to the orderly room as soon as he's free.
Yes, sir.
Well?
Captain?
What is it, Gorse? Say it out.
Lieutenant Sybert's is awful young, and he'd come here straight from the point.
I know that, Sergeant.
You, uh, you want me to be patient with him, that it?
Something like that, sir.
This is Indian country, Gorse. There's not time for a man to be young.
I've been patient with him for three months now.
Yes, sir. But there's something else this time.
What's that?
His column out there is one man short.
I can see the empty saddle too, Sergeant. Just have the Lieutenant report to me.
Yes, sir.
Lieutenant Sybert reporting the captain is ordered.
Stand at ease, Mr. Sybert. You've just completed a fairly routine mission, Mr. Sybert. Is that correct?
Yes, sir.
If I recall, your orders were simply to take a platoon from B Company, proceed along the wagon road to Fort Collins, accept delivery of 60 remounts from Garrison Quartermaster, and return to Fort Laramie.
Yes, sir. That's correct.
You were to hold strictly to the route assigned, avoid all contact with Indian irregulars, or any action which might provoke hostilities or reprisals. Were those your orders or not?
Yes, sir. They were.
Were they clear? Did you understand them?
Yes, sir. But...
Just ride to Fort Collins and bring back 60 horses. Those were your orders. Now, why didn't you carry them out?
I did, sir, until circumstances changed things.
Circumstances never change an order. The most you can do is alter the way you carry it out. All right, let's take a look at the way you carried out your orders.
Sir...
Up until last night when you bivouacked, everything had been normal. Then during the night, a band of Indians jumped you and got away with 35 head of horses. Why?
Because you'd already violated one order, a standing order applying to all night camps in Indian country, to use force entries on the picket line and four more out in the points. You'd only posted three altogether.
We were only four hours from the fort, sir. I thought...
Then you violated three more orders. You sent a detail in to the fort with the horses you had left and you led the rest of the column in pursuit of the Indians.
But, sir, I...
In doing so, you left your assigned route, you made deliberate contact with the Indians and you committed an act you knew would provoke hostilities. In fact, you did everything but tear up your orders and feed them to your mount.
But they'd stolen the horses, sir, and those horses had been placed in my charge. I couldn't let them get away with it.
Why couldn't you? You're an officer of the United States Cavalry, Mr. Cybots. You're not permitted the privilege of getting mad and hitting back. We've got a job to do out here, a tough one. To keep order over an area 10,000 square miles and to do it without men or the guns we need.
I know that, sir.
We're sitting on a powder keg, lieutenant. Every minute of the day and night, and don't you ever forget it. Just because some Indian strikes a match, that gives you no excuse to light one and return. That clear?
Yes, sir.
You brought back an empty saddle. How did it happen?
We were ambushed, sir. Private Lineley was killed in the first volley. Corporal Dean and Private Wagner were wounded. We killed two of the hostiles before withdrawing.
Did you bring in Lineley's body?
I'm sorry, sir. We were unable to recover it.
All right. That's all, lieutenant.
Yes, sir.
Captain Quince, shall I expect a board of inquiry?
That's up to the major.
Sir, won't he go by your recommendation?
I can't be expected to cover up for every green lieutenant who comes off the point. I'll give him the facts.
Without recommendation?
That'll be all, Mr. Cybertz.
Yes, sir.
Now, just a minute, captain. You can't expect to cover up for every green lieutenant who comes off the point.
And I wouldn't attempt it, major, but I still accept full responsibility for Mr. Cybertz's actions.
Actions? The way I hear it, unofficially, of course, he simply lost his head, violated his orders.
Maybe I didn't make the orders clear to him, sir.
Clear to him? How could he possibly misunderstand a simple mission like that?
He's young, major. We do things different out here on the frontier. It takes a wild ease into it.
We haven't got a while.
You'll realize that, sir. Left his route, attacked a band of Indians, and Lord knows what else.
Major Daggett, you asking me for a detailed report?
Yes, of course I'm asking for... Oh, no. No, by heaven, you've already accepted responsibility.
I don't want to know the details, at least not officially.
Whatever you want, sir.
You mean whatever you want. Confounded, Lee, you mother that troop of yours like an old hen with a flock of chicks.
Yes, sir.
You'll take them out in the woodshed and wail the daylights out of them yourself, but you'll be hanged if you'll ever let the neighbors find it.
Yes, sir.
All right, you've accepted responsibility, so I'll let it go at that.
Good.
Provided you also accept the responsibility for pulling us out of the fire.
A band of renegades, whoever they were, have attacked a cavalry column, stolen 35 horses, and killed a trooper.
If they get away with it, more Indians will jump reservation and join up with them.
I think we can prevent that, Major, with your permission, I'd like to have a try at it.
What'll you need?
Forty pick men from B Company, a second in command, and half a dozen of the best Indian Scouts at the fort.
Quanto, for one, Dancing Fox, and maybe Will Granby and Pete Hazen.
All right, who'll you take as your second? Peterson?
No, sir. Lieutenant Syberts.
You're handicapping yourself.
I'd like to move out by one o'clock. That way a forced march will put us at the site of the ambush before dark.
All right, Captain Quince, make your arrangements.
Thank you, sir.
Oh, and Captain.
Yes, sir?
Good luck.
Thank you, sir.
Sergeant Gores?
Yes, sir?
Just what do you find so funny?
Nothing, Captain, nothing at all.
To the left!
Prepare to dismount!
Dismount!
Lieutenant Syberts reporting, sir. We're ready to move out on order.
Good. Sergeant Gores?
Yes, sir?
What did the Scouts say?
Quanto talked with the Scouts that were with the Lieutenant at the ambush, sir.
He's pretty sure they're a bunch of Cheyenne, Bison clan, with Squawdog leading it.
Squawdog. How many Braves?
Around 30, sir. And Quanto thinks they won't be very far away.
I agree with him. This time of year, they're not likely to go north of the Laramie Mountains or west of the Sweetwater Ridge.
Ten to one, they'll hole up somewhere in the Bute country, this side of the Laramie foothills.
That's what Quanto thinks too, sir.
All right, Sergeant. Tell Quanto and the other Scouts to move out.
They can cut the sign at the side of the ambush before the column arrives. We'll be there at five.
Yes, sir.
Quanto, you and Will Grandby move out.
Aye, Mr. Syberts. Post.
Column!
Head shot!
Prepare to mount!
Mount!
The guide has left, soldier.
The Scouts have moved out, sir.
All right, Sergeant.
You, uh, get coffee this morning, Gors?
Yes, sir.
I'm glad. I have a feeling it might be a spell before you get any more.
Mr. Syberts?
Yes, sir.
You will move out with a point. Once we clear the fort, you will deploy the men as skirmishers.
Yes, sir.
By the column of twos left, on the guidon, forward!
Forward!
Captain.
What is it, Gors?
I sure do like getting out in the open air now, then.
I just hope you feel that way two days from now.
I will, sir. I think I will.
Lieutenant Syberts reporting, sir?
Lieutenant?
I've checked over the mount, sir. They're standing it well, all in good shape.
Private Harrison's mount has the stone, bro. It's not serious.
Fine.
Any of you got a match, Syberts?
Yes, sir.
Here you are.
Thanks.
Sit down. Rest your feet.
Thank you, sir.
Captain, may I ask what the plans are?
We'll let the men rest here till midnight, then push on north, following the river.
Unless Quanto or one of the other scouts makes contact before then.
And after that, sir? When we find Squad Dog and his men?
No plans. At least no detailed plans.
In the matter of information, Lieutenant, or instruction, as you might say, I'm operating under one general order.
To get the horses back, punish the Indians responsible for stealing them and for killing private Lymely, and do it without starting a blood feud.
You pardon my saying it, sir. It sounds like a difficult mission.
Most of the jobs the cavalry does out here are difficult, Lieutenant. In time, you'll realize that.
I'm beginning to, sir.
Hope so.
Who goes there? Advance and be recognized.
Quanto, south.
Captain Quince, it's Quanto, sir.
Over here.
Any luck, Quanto?
Much luck. Find Squad Dog.
Where?
Upriver, at Pono Wico Fork, one mile west. Camp in Buttes.
Pono Wico Fork. End of forced march. We can make it before dawn.
Corporal Mercer, get my horse.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Syvers, I'm going to ride out with Quanto and get a look at him. You'll take command of the column.
Yes, sir.
All the men tie down their bridle chains, muffle all equipment. Stay by the river, but keep moving.
Wait at the fork if I haven't rejoined you. Sergeant Gorse knows where it is. Is that clear now?
Yes, sir.
All right, Quanto, lead out. Carry on, Lieutenant.
Yes, sir.
Buegler, send boats and saddles.
Yes, sir.
Sergeant Gorse.
Yes, sir.
We'll move out in ten minutes.
Yes, sir.
That's him all right, Lieutenant. If it was anybody else, the point flanker would have stopped him.
I wonder what he plans to do.
I just wouldn't know, sir. I never try to outguess the captain.
He's a good officer, Sergeant Gorse.
You couldn't find any better, sir. When we got a little time, I want to tell you something else about him.
You made good time, Mr. Syvers.
Thank you, sir.
Be full dawn in about half an hour. Things are working out fine.
There are about 30 of them camped in a narrow ravine between those two buttes there to the west.
Luck sure is with us, Captain.
The ravine's about 150 yards long. Only way out's at either end.
Sides are too steep to climb, so here's what we'll do.
Sergeant Gorse will send four men to each of those two buttes.
They'll climb on foot, take positions on the rim of the ravine, looking down on Squad Dog's camp.
Understood?
Yes, sir.
Lieutenant, you'll take 12 men, circle south, to come up on the far side of the buttes.
You'll approach on foot to establish a skirmish line to command the mouth of the ravine.
It's all broken ground. There's plenty of cover.
You'll have 20 minutes to get in position.
That clear?
Yes, sir.
I'll move in, cover this end of the ravine.
You'll fire at will, on your own discretion, as soon as you hear my guns open up.
And with this point in mind, don't kill a single Indian unless you have to, to keep from being overrun.
But, sir...
That's an order, Lieutenant.
This whole operation is just one purpose.
I want Squad Dog to realize one thing fast, that he's trapped, and that we can kill him and every one of his braves, if we so choose.
After that, we'll... we'll just see what happens.
That clear to both of you?
Yes, sir.
All right, move out.
It's 20 minutes now, Captain.
Then we'll assume Cybert's is in place.
All right, Sergeant, let's wake him up.
Yes, sir.
Prepare to fire!
Ready... fire!
Hit him again, Sergeant.
Ready... fire!
At the ready... hold!
Well, that ought to show him it'll be a little rough trying to come out this end.
He ain't even gonna try it, sir.
Not one brave has shown up at the end of that ravine.
There go the boys up on the rim.
That'll give them something else to think about.
Well, he ought to run into Cybert's down there at the far end any second now.
There he goes now.
We've stopped firing.
We've turned him back.
Well, Gorse, I guess we can settle back now and wait.
What do you figure Squad Dog's gonna do, sir?
I know what I'd do.
I'd hightail it out here and talk things over.
You got a match, Sergeant?
No, that'll be no...
If Squad Dog wishes to say something to the captain, let him get off his horse
and speak the English he learned in mission school.
And let him hand me his rifle.
Squad Dog, ask why it is white man soldier attack peaceful hunting party.
Is it possible Squad Dog thinks I'm a fool?
All Cheyenne know.
Captain is wiser of all men.
Then is it possible that Squad Dog has lost his eyesight and gone blind?
Squad Dog sees like the eagle.
Then why can't he see 35 horses in there in that ravine
with the mark of the white man's government on their flanks?
Or is it possible that some of the chief's braves have made a fool of him?
A fool?
Could it be that some of them have stolen horses and killed a soldier of the white man's army
and Squad Dog knows nothing about it?
Could it be that they've lied to you?
Told you they traded for the horses?
Are you a chief, Squad Dog?
Or a fool whose men laugh at him behind his back?
I am a chief.
Then why are you not able to control your men?
Why are they able to fool you so easily?
Have you lost your authority?
I am chief.
If you were chief, you would identify the guilty men and punish them yourself.
Why is it necessary for the white man's army to do your job for you?
I do not know who does this thing.
Well, I'll give you five minutes to find out.
And if you can't, then we'll look for the guilty men with bullets.
And a bullet has no eyes, Squad Dog.
It can't tell the guilty from the innocent.
How many brave you say do this thing?
I don't know, but one trooper was killed.
I'd say it would take about four braves to kill a trooper.
Squad Dog, go now.
Just five minutes.
And when you come out, leave the government horses in the ravine
and leave your rifles there, too.
We do not keep rifle.
You do not.
I may help remind you to supervise your braves more closely in the future.
Now get going.
The Five Minutes are just about up, Captain.
Yeah.
He may decide to fight, but I was hoping he'd take the bait.
He took the bait, Captain.
Yeah.
Well, it's rough justice, but it's better than a blood feud
and a punitive campaign by a full regiment.
Here they come, sir. They're riding out.
All right. Let Mr. Sybert know he can follow them through.
Yes, sir.
Let's go, Rico.
Well, they probably shot the four oldest.
Probably.
Have Squad Dog and his braves stand by till Lieutenant Sybert gets here.
He took part in the action. He has the right to share the surrender.
Yes, sir.
Guilty braves are punished.
Squad Dog is free to go now.
Yes, you have my permission.
Go.
Oh, just one more thing, Squad Dog.
Every chief should have a rifle, but you have none.
No.
I will permit you to have a rifle, Squad Dog.
Here, take this one.
Now, go in peace.
Peace.
Oh, come on.
That bloody old reprobate.
Revenge is a luxury out here on the frontier, Sergeant.
Better this way in the long run.
Captain, why'd you give him back his gun?
Because that gun will break his back, Lieutenant.
He took that rifle off of Trooper Lanley's dead body. I saw the serial number.
That made him a big man with the clans.
Then we outfoxed him, forced him into a spot where he had to execute his own braves to save his skin.
And as a final gesture of contempt, I gave him back the gun.
That'll break him.
It'll save lives in the long run.
They'll laugh him off the reservation before the month's out.
What's wrong, Lieutenant?
I caught a bullet, sir, at one of the Indians at the other end of the ravine. It's not serious.
Why didn't you get attended to?
Well, I had direct orders to report to you at once, sir.
A bullet wounds an exception, Lieutenant. Go find Corporal Grayley and get him to dress that.
Yes, sir.
Oh, Lieutenant.
Yes, sir?
About that board of inquiry.
I heard about it, sir.
Who from?
Sergeant Gorse, sir.
Gorse?
Captain, he's gonna do all right.
He'll make a good soldier.
He'll do better than that, Sergeant.
He'll make a good cavalryman.
Fort Laramie is produced and directed by Norman MacDonald and stars Raymond Burr as Lee Quince, Captain of Cavalry, with Vic Perrin as Sergeant Gorse.
The script was specially written for Fort Laramie by Les Crutchfield, with sound patterns by Bill James and Ray Kemper.
Musical supervision by Amarigo Marino.
Featured in the cast were Harry Bartel, Jack Moyles, Joseph Cranston, and John Danaer.
Company attention!
Dismiss!
Next week, another transcribed story of the Northwest Frontier and the troopers who fought under Lee Quince, Captain of Cavalry.
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