At the gallop, follow!
Fort Laramie
Fort Laramie, starring Raymond Burr as Captain Lee Quince.
Specially 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.
Captain Lee Quince
Patrol!
Hold!
Sergeant Gorse!
Dismiss the patrol. Yes sir.
Prepare to dismount.
Dismount.
Welcome back, Captain. Thank you, Sergeant Jenkins.
Major Daggett in. He's been expecting you.
Come in.
Oh, Lee. Glad you're back.
That makes both of us, Major.
How you find anything? No trouble. Some of the dog soldiers are restless. But so far, no
sue of left treaty territory. That's good.
Except I've had a ten day ride for nothing.
It doesn't matter. We have to investigate every report. You know that. I know.
Like I said, I'm glad you're back.
But I'm not sure you'll be. Why?
You're in time to welcome an old friend of yours. Who?
His orders read Lieutenant R.C. Wint.
Robbie?
That's right. Major Wint.
He assigned here?
He's on the post already. Arrived an hour ago. He'll be reporting any minute.
Want to stay and see him?
You want me to?
It's up to you.
You'll have to face him sooner or later anyway, I suppose.
Major.
He's an old friend.
Nothing can change that.
You still feel that way? Yep.
Where will he be assigned?
C Company is short an officer. Can I have him? You can transfer Hancock to C.
Why?
Maybe I can
ease things a little.
What about yourself?
You think he'll like serving under you? An officer who once served under him? He'll do all right.
He's a good officer.
Well, I can't say much for him now.
Five posts in two years. And he couldn't face it out at any of them.
Now we're stuck with him.
A drunkard, a troublemaker, and a...
coward.
Coward of Antelope Meadows. I'm not sure he deserves that reputation.
Court of Inquiry that demoted him thought so. They demoted him for poor judgment, not cowardice.
What would you call a man who ran away from a fight, left his commander and two hundred men to be wiped out?
He was under attack himself. He could have fought through to Bartlett and saved them. Maybe and maybe not.
He might only have added a hundred more men to the list of dead. Instead, he tried to save his own command and he succeeded.
It was a difficult decision, but not necessarily bad judgment. The Court of Inquiry said so.
The Court of Inquiry was in Washington. They went by the book.
You know how different it can be out here, how hard a decision can be when you're under attack.
Hindsight's always easy.
Why are we arguing?
They signed him to me.
All right.
Be a good Samaritan if you have to.
There he is.
Come in.
Lieutenant Wendt reporting the Major Daggett has directed.
Yes, I've been expecting you, Wendt.
I believe you know Captain Quince.
Hello, Robbie.
Captain.
It's been a long time since Virginia.
Yes.
Sorry I didn't see you. I've developed a habit of speaking when I'm spoken to.
You're looking well.
Major, have you figured out a place for me?
I didn't try to figure a place for you, Wendt. You're just another officer here. You'll be put where you're needed.
I've assigned you to B Company. That's Captain Quince here.
Very well.
You can report to the officer of the day at your convenience. You'll be placed on active duty as of 5 a.m. tomorrow.
You'll take morning call.
Yes, sir.
We hope you'll have a pleasant tour at Laramie.
Do you, Major?
Wendt, I said you're just another officer here. That's the way you'll be treated.
But I expect a cooperative attitude from you like any other officer.
A chip on that shoulder won't help.
Very good, Major. Am I dismissed?
Yes. I'll come along if I may, Robbie. Show you the place.
All right, Captain.
Oh, Lee.
Yes, sir.
One moment, huh?
I'll be right with you, Robbie.
All right.
See what I mean?
Lickered up, middle of the day. He's gonna be trouble.
He's gone through a lot, Major.
Sometimes I think you're a soft fool. I'm warning you, Lee, don't try to fight his battles for him. Keep a tight hold on him.
Don't worry.
I'll take you over by the quarters, Robbie. They're a little better than the ones we had in Virginia.
You might like Laramie. It's a good post.
I've noticed a lot of women. More than I expected out here.
A lot of the men are married. It's safe enough here.
Good to see you, Robbie.
It is.
We had some good days in Virginia.
I was your commanding officer then.
You were a good one.
Now?
Robbie, there are plenty of gray-haired lieutenants in this army for one reason or another.
But not many of them cry in their beer.
Thank you, Captain, for reminding me.
Oh, you've got to give people a chance.
What about them giving me a chance?
You've got to meet them halfway, Robbie.
Halfway.
Good morning, Captain Quince.
Oh, hello, Miss St. Cloud. May I present Lieutenant Wendt?
We don't need an introduction, Captain. Hello, Robbie.
Mrs. St. Cloud.
It's good to see you.
Thank you.
I saw you earlier crossing the parade ground. What brings you to Laramie?
I'm to be stationed here.
I'm very glad.
Are you?
Of course. Captain, Robbie and I are old friends.
You must come and visit me the first chance you get, Robbie.
Thank you.
Oh, here's Philip. You never met my husband, did you?
Philip, this is Robbie Wendt.
Lieutenant St. Cloud, how do you do?
He's to be stationed here.
That's too bad.
Philip.
You remember Lieutenant Yeager, don't you, Wendt?
He was my best friend, my roommate at the point.
I'm sure you must remember him because he died with Bartlett that day in Antelope Meadows.
Philip, don't.
Come along, Maude.
But Philip.
What were you saying about a chance, Captain?
I'm sorry, Robbie. There's bound to be some feeling at first, but in time...
You're an optimist, Captain.
If you'll excuse me, I'll stop by the Suttlers.
They can still sell liquor on this post, can't they?
You think that'll help?
It's the only help I need, Captain.
Good day.
HONKING
First platoon, all present on account of form.
Second platoon, all present on account of form.
All present on account of form, sir.
Yeah. Yeah.
Now, where are the orders?
In your pocket, sir.
In my...
Lieutenant, is anything wrong?
What do you mean, Sergeant?
I mean, are you all right? Are you feeling all right?
Of course I am. Now, where is he?
Here, sir. Shall I read him?
You?
Captain Quint sometimes has me read him, sir. I just thought...
Will you stop thinking, Sergeant?
Lieutenant...
I'm perfectly capable...
Morning, Lieutenant Wendt. Sergeant Gorse.
Sir?
What are you doing here, Quince?
Don't you think I can take morning call by myself?
Of course, Lieutenant.
I'm perfectly all right.
Absolutely all right.
I'm not so sure. I think you'd better go back to your quarters.
I'll relieve you here.
Is that an order, Captain?
That's a suggestion.
All right.
Straighten up, man. You're in front of a hundred enlisted men.
I'll be all right.
I'll go with you.
It's a long walk across the parade ground.
The men are watching. Just keep your shoulder into mind.
Sergeant, you'll read the orders of the day.
Yes, sir.
Come on, Robbie.
Here. Keep this cold compress in your head.
Thanks.
Robbie, this is no good. You can't keep this up.
What?
Running away, hiding in a bottle.
Uh...
You gonna report me?
Did you report me that time in Virginia?
But it can't happen too often. You understand that.
I know.
Well...
Lee...
Thanks.
You're the only one in two years that's been decent.
I'm sorry if I can't come halfway.
Maybe if you try to face it and not run away.
Other men have been busted.
Oh, it's not that. No.
Do you know what my second-in-command said after Antelope Meadows?
He said we should all be dead.
And we would have been if we hadn't been led by a coward.
You weren't a coward in Virginia.
And when that court of inquiry demoted you,
you didn't have to stay in the Army. You could have resigned.
Yes.
It took guts to stay. That wasn't the act of a coward.
I love the Army. It's my life.
And I was mad.
I thought I was right.
I had the guts then.
Then what's happened?
Do you know what it's like to be sneered at?
Hated wherever you go.
To be blamed for other men's deaths.
Like that St. Cloud yesterday. I've had two years of that, Lee.
Maybe now I am a coward.
Not unless you're willing to be. If you...
Come in.
Oh, Mrs. St. Cloud.
Robbie, I... I heard you were ill.
Word gets around, doesn't it?
Are you all right?
All right.
You'll be fine, ma'am.
Is there anything I can do for you, Robbie?
Oh, no. Thanks.
I'll stop in again this afternoon.
I am not so sure your husband would approve, Mrs. St. Cloud.
Robbie, if you won't or can't come to visit me,
I'll come to visit you.
Good day, Captain.
Ma'am.
It seems you do have friends, Lieutenant.
You maud.
Well...
Lee...
Was I wrong?
About what?
Antelope Meadows.
I don't know.
It tortures me, Lee.
You did what you thought was right.
Now, right or wrong, you better forget it.
How could a man forget a thing like that?
I don't know, Robbie.
We'll need just a small detachment to patrol the line.
We've had no further reports, but I want to keep watch.
What about Sybertson, eight men, Lee?
Why not...
Why not when?
What's the matter?
Want to get him away from the post?
No, it's not that.
It might be what he needs.
I'm not sure I trust him with the patrol.
You think you fooled me with that relieved of duty because of illness?
He's just about drunk the Suttlers dry.
He's getting better lately.
That's not what I hear.
Maybe he's not drinking quite so much, but...
But what?
I've heard reports about him and Mrs. St. Cloud.
They've been seeing each other entirely too much.
She's been seen going into his quarters.
She'd tended him when he was ill.
And he's been at her rooms when St. Cloud was away.
They're old friends.
Maybe.
But I always did think that woman was too pretty.
Major, I don't think there's anything wrong.
But if there is, all the more reason to send Wendt out on that patrol.
You trust him?
He's a good officer.
I'll send Gorse with him.
All right, Lee.
I just hope you're right.
Send Wendt to me for orders.
Right away, sir.
Captain.
What's the matter, Sergeant?
Over at Old Bedlam.
There's gonna be trouble.
What trouble?
The two lieutenants.
St. Cloud's gone looking for Wendt.
Thanks.
St. Cloud!
Wendt!
Addy!
Come on!
What do you think you were doing?
St. Cloud?
I heard what's been going on behind my back.
It's all over the Post.
He can't get by fooling around with my wife.
I'll kill him!
That's enough!
That's a court martial offense you're charging.
You want to make it official?
I said it!
You can subject your wife to the embarrassment of it.
No.
All right.
No.
Wendt, you want to prefer charges against him?
No.
Then the two of you remember your offices in the US cavalry
and act accordingly.
He better stay away from my wife.
You won't have to worry about that for a while.
He's going out on patrol tonight.
Now, get out of here, St. Cloud.
Lee.
I don't want to hear about it.
It's none of my business.
But Lee, there's no-
You got a job to do.
As soon as you clean up, report to the major for your orders.
All right, Captain.
Captain.
Yes?
Captain, I heard you-
No harm done, Miss St. Cloud, except to the dignitary
of a couple of officers.
It's my fault. I should have known
Philip wouldn't understand.
But I want you to understand, Captain.
Why me?
Because you're his friend, too.
All right.
I was only trying to help him.
We're old friends, yes, but once it was more than that.
Once, before I met Philip, it was going to be Robbie.
I couldn't just stand by and see this happening to him.
I see.
Did I do wrong, Captain?
Who's to say that, Miss St. Cloud?
I don't know.
I wish I were wiser.
So do I, ma'am.
So do I.
Lee, this report just came in from the telegraph at Cheyenne.
Trouble, Major?
A Sue Raiden party attacked the railroad.
If they're not still in the vicinity,
they'll be heading north.
Went's moving to intercept them.
Went?
He stopped at Pine Bluff and got the news.
But he'll need reinforcements.
Might be a big party.
We don't know.
Besides, with Went in charge.
I can have Bee Company ready in an hour.
Will that be enough?
Bee's undermanned.
You've only got 63 men.
It'll be enough.
All right.
Rendezvous with Went at the forks on Little Bear Creek.
And Lee, don't take any chances.
Carry 200 rounds per man.
This could be a fight.
Captain, single rider approaching.
Yeah, I see him.
Looks like Doris.
Keep them going, Mr. Cybert.
I'll swing out and meet him.
Yes, sir.
Sergeant.
Captain, Lieutenant Went sent me to intercept you.
He's moving towards Horace Creek.
Wants you to cut across and meet him.
All right, good.
Sure glad you're here, Captain.
Why?
Well, we had them cornered last night,
but they got away.
We could have taken them.
How many?
Around 30.
Nine men against 30?
We could have surprised them.
Men are kind of talking, son.
What are you trying to tell me, Gorse?
The lieutenant wouldn't attack.
Or couldn't.
Had he been drinking?
Yes, sir.
Was he drunk, Sergeant?
Well, no, sir.
I couldn't say that.
Then think about this, Sergeant.
You men might not be alive today if he had attacked.
Yes, sir.
I've heard that before.
It's still true, Sergeant.
All right, let's join him.
There's their signal, Captain.
Here comes the lieutenant to meet us.
Company, over there.
Halt!
Lieutenant?
They're down in the valley about a mile ahead, Captain.
You can surround them by splitting your force in three.
Good.
All right, Cybritts, you take 20 men and the right flank.
Yes, sir.
Sergeant Gorse, you'll take 12 more men
and join with Lieutenant Wentz patrol on the left flank.
Yes, sir.
The rest will stay with me in the center.
I'd like the center, Captain, if I may.
Why?
It's closer.
It'll lead the attack.
I found them.
All right, I'll take the left.
Sergeant Jenkins, take over.
I'll join you in a minute.
Now move out.
Right, sir.
Yes, sir.
Did he kill him?
Good work, Lieutenant.
And you used good judgment not attacking last night.
Did I?
Here, Captain, have a drink.
Yeah, thanks.
Why'd you do that?
You don't need it.
You've gotten your courage out of a bottle for so long,
you think you have to have it.
Don't I?
No, you don't, Robbie.
All right, Lieutenant Wentz.
Move out.
Doesn't look like we'll get much fighting, sir.
No, Jenkins, we're pretty far away,
but we'll block this end of the valley for him.
Yes, sir.
There they go, sir.
All right.
Company, company.
At the trot.
Hold.
Go!
Snipers!
We got him rounded up, Captain.
Wasn't much of a fight when they saw us coming in from three
sides, he just dropped everything and ran.
Good.
Any casualties?
No, sir, I don't think so.
Not a one.
Captain!
Huh?
Over here.
Casualties, sir.
Lieutenant Wentz.
Robbie?
Lee.
I am sorry you smashed that bottle now.
Of course.
Holders bring in the first eight, sir.
No.
No use, Lee.
No use, you know that.
Robbie, I'm sorry.
Yeah.
So am I about a lot of things.
Maud St. Cloud, a lot of things.
But Lee, there's one thing I'm not sorry about.
Antelope Meadows?
Yeah.
I was right, Lee.
I was right.
I was right, Lee.
I couldn't have saved Bartlett.
But I could save my hundred men, and I didn't.
That's right.
Only one thing nobody understands.
It wasn't my own life I was thinking about.
I understand that, Robbie.
Do you, Lee?
Thanks.
I wish.
Captain.
What is it, Sergeant?
I saw it, sir.
He deliberately cut in front of Holder,
took the only bullet the engines fired.
He saved Holder's life.
I guess I was wrong, sir.
Were you the sergeant?
Yes, sir.
He was no coward.
No.
No, he wasn't.
Come in.
Oh.
Missing Cloud.
Captain.
I've just been over to see...
I won't be attending the services.
I understand.
Captain.
Yes?
Captain, did he...
did he say anything about me?
Yes, he did, Missing Cloud.
He said he was sorry.
Not half as sorry as I am, Captain.
I wanted to help him,
but I was afraid to say the one thing
that might have helped him most.
Sometimes it's kind of hard to...
I wanted to tell him that...
that he was the only man I ever really loved.
But I...I was afraid of the consequences.
I should have told him, Captain.
I should have told him a long time ago.
Well, Philip will be wondering where I am.
Good day, Captain.
Good day, Missing Cloud.
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 John Dunkle,
with sound patterns by Bill James and Ray Kemper.
Musical supervision by Amarigo Marino.
Featured in the cast were John Danaer, Jack Moyles,
Harry Bartel, Lynn Allen, Paul Duboff, and Clayton Post.
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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