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00:00♪♪
00:08From the archives of the United States Cavalry,
00:11the true stories of Colonel Randall McKenzie and the cavalrymen he led.
00:15McKenzie's Raiders.
00:17His secret orders from the President of the United States.
00:20Clean up the Southwest.
00:22Make it a fit place for Americans to live.
00:24Wipe out the renegades, outlaws, and murderers.
00:27If necessary, cross the Rio Grande.
00:30Knowing capture means hanging by the enemy.
00:32Discovery, court-martialed by the United States Army.
00:36♪♪
00:43♪♪
00:51Border country, Southwest Texas.
00:53The year, 1867.
00:56Another attack on a civilian supply wagon.
00:59Army protection unavailable.
01:01The reason, Colonel McKenzie's limited personnel had been withdrawn
01:05to prevent a filibuster force from crossing the border into Mexican territory.
01:10Three of my wagon trains destroyed and a fourth one overdue.
01:15And you, sir, sit there and do nothing about it.
01:18I've detailed every man I can spare to patrol those wagon routes.
01:21Every man?
01:23May I inform you, Colonel,
01:25that the majority of your command is patrolling an area where nothing ever happens?
01:28The border, or perhaps you expect these barefoot Mexican rebels
01:32to cross the border and invade in force, is that it?
01:34Mr. Dubois, I'm not in the habit of explaining
01:36the military policies of my command to civilians.
01:39Civilians?
01:40May I inform you, Colonel,
01:42that I have soldiered with men the likes of which you have never seen?
01:45Or perhaps you forget that I, Jean-Jacques Dubois, at one time
01:48commanded the 4th Regiment in the Legion in the service of my Emperor.
01:52I'm forgetting nothing, Mr. Dubois.
01:55Particularly, I'm not forgetting the fact that you are now a citizen
01:58of the United States of America and a civilian.
02:00Ever since those same barefoot rebels that you refer to
02:04chased your Legion out of Mexico.
02:06Oh, Reynolds, Reynolds.
02:09Here we are, bickering, you and I.
02:12Two soldiers who are friends, like a couple of women.
02:15I, too, am a soldier.
02:17But, Reynolds, I want you to understand my problem.
02:20My problem is my wagons.
02:22I can't help you there any more than I am.
02:24I have my orders.
02:25Orders, huh?
02:26The bane of a soldier's existence.
02:28Excuse me.
02:35A courier from K Company just rode in, sir.
02:38Another train's been attacked at Massacre Flats.
02:41My train?
02:43I'm sorry, sir.
02:46Bonneville Patrol, Sergeant.
02:48Each man to carry 40 rounds carbine ammunition,
02:5110 extra rounds revolver ammunition.
02:52Yes, sir.
02:53Who will lead the detail, sir?
02:55I'll lead them out myself.
02:56Get started.
02:57Yes, sir.
03:02I'm sorry, Jean.
03:03I'm sorry about your men.
03:05I, too, am sorry.
03:10May I ride with you, Colonel?
03:14Why not?
03:18I've got a deal to keep.
03:20Family ties.
03:23You'll have to sell our wagon, Commander.
03:26Hey, McGuiness, I decide about your days.
03:30I didn't buy this wagon for you.
03:32Just as I'll pick up your life.
03:34May I escort you IBM tomorrow?
03:37Yeah.
03:38Libya's been attacked from across the mainland against
03:39Paris.
03:40Sir, your спасибо!
03:41I'll send a telegram!
03:42Yeah.
03:43Good-bye, McKenzy.
03:44Oh, outside words.
03:45Thanks.
03:46I'll get here, sir.
03:47Comanche. What was your freight? Oh, the usual thing. Dry goods, cloth, dry
03:55groceries, and some hardware. Guns? A few.
04:03Take a close look at that arrow, Sergeant. Tell me what you think. Apache. That's
04:09right. What difference does it make who shot it? Mackenzie, these men are dead. It
04:15means they weren't killed by Indians. Mount up the troop. We're going back to
04:19the fort. Yes, sir. But what's happening here? I'll explain it to you later.
04:23Mount and ride.
04:37Most of the Indian stuff we found was Comanche and Kiowa. All right, that makes
04:42sense. The Comanches and the Kiowas ride together. But that arrow was Apache, and
04:48that doesn't make sense. Why not? Because the Apaches don't make alliances. They're
04:53too proud. They fight alone. I'm afraid you attach too much importance to one
04:57arrow, Colonel. Really? Well, it wasn't just one arrow. There were other things. If it
05:02had been Indians who attacked those wagons, they'd have looted them
05:04immediately. There was no such sign. So? So it wasn't Indians who attacked your
05:09wagons. On the other hand, renegades don't usually hit provision trains. There
05:16isn't enough in it for them to make it worth their while. Now, any particular
05:24reason you can think of why they should hit yours? Think it over. Perhaps you can
05:31find a reason for me. I will think it over. Perhaps, perhaps you can find one of
05:38those reasons by the time I visit you at your, your supply post, as you call it. I
05:44shall try. Good.
06:09Archer, what are you doing here? Is there something wrong? The rifles? No. The rifles
06:22are all right. They're on their way south. Oh, good. Then what is it? I didn't hire
06:28her out to commit murder. I don't understand. Those men were murdered on
06:34your orders. Oh, now, Archer, I know exactly how you feel, but we've got a lot of
06:39things to do. And one of them is to see that our good friend, Colonel McKenzie,
06:42never suspects that my wagons are carrying arms for the provisional army
06:46of the Second Mexican Empire. Don't be too sure of that. Oh. He has men all over
06:52town very interested in your activities, Jean. Don't underrate McKenzie. He's a
06:57hard man to fool. By the time he finds out my part in this venture, I'll be long
07:07gone. You see, I have 2,000 rifles stored in various depots, and in a few days, I'm
07:15gonna cross the Mexican border, and all the men will rally to my cause. When they
07:21find out I can arm them, then we'll sweep out this revolutionary rabble and restore
07:28the Mexican Empire. Having learned that Dubois' wagons were carrying contraband
07:35cargoes, McKenzie rode out to confirm his suspicions.
07:48Archer. Sam Archer. I beg your pardon, sir. I don't believe I've had the honor.
07:54Sam Archer. West Point, class of 60. I regret to say, sir, you're mistaken.
08:01Ronald! Well, I'm happy to see you here. Tell me, who was that fellow that just walked
08:08away? Oh, uh, well, there are many men around this post. I do not know why. Thought he was
08:14a friend of mine. Oh, from the army? Yeah, a fellow named Sam Archer. Gave up his commission
08:20to fight for the South. Joined Jeb Stuart. Had a cavalry troop under him.
08:26Huh. Well, uh, you mind stepping inside a minute? I'd like to ask you a few questions.
08:32Oh.
08:40Sit down, Ronald.
08:45Well, my friend? Tell me, what was in that shipment that was robbed at Massacre Flats?
08:52Oh, I thought I already told you that. Household provisions, goods, dry goods.
08:57You were carrying heavy cargo. Machinery or something else.
09:02Machinery? What use would I have for machinery in a country like this?
09:06None. But those same cases could be used to carry rifles.
09:12Oh, now I understand. You think that I, Jean-Jacques Dubois, am a runner of guns.
09:17I think the heat has affected your reason.
09:22Oh, but you are serious. Tell me, why do you say these things?
09:27You were a French officer in Mexico. You were among the first troops that, that Louis Napoleon
09:33sent over here in 1864 when he tried to set up Maximilian on the Mexican throne.
09:37You were among the last to be forced out. You're bitter about that. I've heard you express bitterness about it.
09:42But that does not make me a runner of guns.
09:45No. But it gives you an excellent reason for wanting to see the overthrow of the present Mexican government.
09:52You think that I'm behind this movement that's giving you so much trouble, huh?
09:56Exactly. I think you've been using your wagons to carry guns and ammunitions.
10:02And perhaps I also arranged to have my wagons attacked and the munitions you speak of robbed. Is that right?
10:09I think so.
10:10Why do I do these things?
10:12Two reasons. One, to take suspicion away from yourself.
10:15Two, to force me to weaken my border patrols and strengthen the northern patrols.
10:20Tell me something. Can you prove these things?
10:24When I can, I'll come after you.
10:28Why do you have this great interest in Mexican affairs?
10:32Ronald, you and me, we have been friends for a long time.
10:35Jean, if I found out that you were responsible for the massacre of those men on the wagons,
10:42I'd track you down to the ends of the earth.
10:47Goodbye, Jean.
11:05July 20, 1873. A patrol from Sea Company intercepted a freight wagon belonging to Dubois on the border approach.
11:23Its cargo, the tools of revolution, could destroy the growing peace between two nations.
11:36July 20, 1873. A patrol from Sea Company intercepted a freight wagon belonging to Dubois on the border approach.
11:50Well.
11:53Hello, Ronald.
11:56So it was you, sir.
11:57I'm sorry I couldn't stop and shake hands with you when we saw each other the other day, but I didn't think it was good policy at the time.
12:03You're working for Dubois now?
12:04That's right.
12:06Where is he?
12:07He's gone. He heard you picked up one of his wagons and decided it was time to leave.
12:13Where'd he go, sir?
12:14South. Don't ask me any questions I'm not going to answer.
12:20I think maybe you'll answer.
12:23Disarm him and bring him along.
12:25Yes, sir.
12:29For the last time, where's Dubois?
12:33I don't know.
12:36You're lying, of course.
12:40Sam.
12:43Sam, I don't know how you got into this, but I do know one thing.
12:48You're not the kind of a man that can fight against his own country.
12:51I'm fighting for my own country. Mexico is my own country.
12:53This is your country.
12:55Not since 61.
12:56That war is over. Those issues are dead.
12:57Not for some of us.
12:58Not for the men who rode with Jeb Stuart, who refused to surrender,
13:01who took service in Mexico with the Emperor.
13:03The Emperor is dead, too.
13:05Not for those of us who knew him.
13:07He's still a living symbol.
13:08To me, to Dubois, to the thousands of others who would gladly have died for him.
13:12No, Maximilian's the greatest man I've ever known.
13:28Good sound, isn't it, Sam?
13:31Remember how many thousands of times you've thrilled to that sound?
13:35That sound of retreat and thrill to the flag coming down?
13:39Your flag, Sam.
13:41Not anymore.
13:45Come in.
13:47Sir?
13:49A scout just rode in from Sea Company.
13:51One of their patrols was ambushed just this side of the river.
13:54They're all dead, sir.
13:56Where?
13:57Eagle Pass.
13:59Muster out every available man.
14:01Every man to carry 40 rounds of carbine ammunition,
14:0310 extra rounds of revolver ammunition.
14:06Reserve ammunition to be carried on the pack train.
14:08Fodder and field rations for three days.
14:10All right, all right, move.
14:11Yes, sir.
14:12More of Dubois' work.
14:13He's fighting a war.
14:14War, war.
14:19Sam, do you remember Bob Burton?
14:22Burton from Savannah.
14:23Cadet captain of Sea Company.
14:25Your company, your roommate at the point.
14:27What's that got to do with me now?
14:29Burton's son was leading that patrol.
14:35Yeah.
14:37Maybe if you could look at the faces of some of those dead,
14:40you'd recognize some old friends.
14:42Joe Peterson.
14:44Sam Baker.
14:46Men who soldiered with you.
14:48Men that you yourself led on patrol.
14:53Guess that doesn't matter anymore to you, though.
14:57Now, if you'll excuse me,
14:58I suddenly feel the need of some fresh air.
15:02Randall.
15:05I want a ride with you.
15:09All right.
15:11All right.
15:13Then tell me where Dubois is.
15:15He's in Mexico.
15:16Awaiting delivery of his rifles.
15:17Enough to arm 2,000 men.
15:19How many men's he got?
15:20Only a few.
15:21He's counting on recruits joining him
15:22as soon as he gets the rifles to arm him.
15:24Of course, without those rifles, he'd be finished.
15:27What kind of men are joining him?
15:29Oh, freebooters, renegades, common shares, fools like me.
15:31That's what I thought.
15:33That kind of an army is held together by greed and viciousness,
15:36nothing more.
15:38Sergeant.
15:40Yes, sir?
15:42Sergeant, that wagon we captured from Dubois,
15:44how long would it take you to get it below the border?
15:46Driving hard with extra teams.
15:48We might make it by noon.
15:50By noon, by noon.
15:53All right.
15:55Let's go.
16:05July 22nd, 1873.
16:08In an effort to uncover the filibuster forces
16:10preparing to enter Mexico,
16:12Colonel McKenzie devised a two-fold plan.
16:15A detachment of his 4th Cavalry
16:17would sweep the border country
16:19to discover and neutralize any threat
16:20to the Mexican government.
16:22As this was being done,
16:24McKenzie and a group of pick raiders
16:26were to separate from the main force
16:28and secretly cross the Rio Grande into Mexico
16:31to capture or destroy Jean-Jacques Dubois.
16:51How much farther?
16:53About 10 miles.
16:55Dubois has got his headquarters in Adobe Hut,
16:57the head of a draw.
16:59It won't be easy getting in there.
17:01A couple of men with the repeaters
17:03could hold them out for that wash against small army.
17:05We'll worry about that when we find him.
17:07Let's go.
17:21That's it, all right.
17:23Dubois is still soldier enough to post sentries.
17:25How are we going in?
17:27We're not going in
17:29until Sergeant Stanfield gets here with that wagon.
17:31Then I'm going in alone.
17:51Ho, ho!
17:58Present as ordered, sir.
18:00Break out those rifles, Sergeant.
18:02Disable them.
18:04I'll give you 45 minutes to break them up.
18:06Then I want you to put them back on the wagon
18:08and drive the wagon up into that draw.
18:10Yes, sir.
18:12Give me a hand, man.
18:14I'll take care of it.
18:16I'll take care of it.
18:18I'm alone.
18:20I want to see Dubois.
18:22I'm alone.
18:24I want to see Dubois.
18:51I want to see Dubois.
19:21I didn't expect to see you here.
19:23You should have.
19:25Come in.
19:37Sit down, Colonel.
19:43You know,
19:45you were a fool to follow me.
19:47I told you I'd follow the man
19:48who was responsible for those wagon massacres
19:50to the end of the earth.
19:52Sacrifices of war.
19:54I call it murder.
19:56Your game's played out, Dubois.
19:58You know your men will desert
20:00the minute they find out
20:02that they're not going to get those rifles.
20:04But they're going to have rifles.
20:06They should be across the border by this time.
20:08What if I told you they'd been intercepted?
20:10I would not believe you.
20:12How could you possibly have known
20:14where they were stored?
20:16I couldn't.
20:18But Archer did.
20:20Are you trying to tell me
20:23that Archer is a turncoat?
20:25I can't believe that.
20:27How else could I have followed you directly here?
20:29How else would I have known where to find you?
20:31Archer.
20:35I don't understand.
20:37Why would Archer betray me?
20:39Only that he's too good a soldier
20:41to stomach the murder of American troopers.
20:43I do not believe that.
20:45Colonel McKenzie,
20:46nobody can stand in the way of my cause.
20:48Your cause died with Maximilian.
20:50That's a lie.
20:52Only a man died.
20:54I do not know what you did with Sam Archer,
20:56and I care less.
20:58But there are many men in Mexico
21:00who believe in the second Mexican empire.
21:02Hmm.
21:04Like those cutthroats out on the porch,
21:06do they still believe in the second empire of Mexico?
21:08Of course they do.
21:10But you know as well as I do
21:12that they're only a means to an end.
21:14Well, as I told you before,
21:17you're going to die outside.
21:19And don't try anything.
21:22My men are all around you.
21:37I'm sorry, my friend.
21:40Take him out and shoot him.
21:47You follow orders
21:49and you'll be swallowing steel within half an hour.
21:51See those lights up there?
21:53That's an army heliograph signaling to my troops.
21:58And if you still want rifles,
22:00here they come.
22:17Archer.
22:19All right, there are your guns.
22:21Throw them, Sergeant.
22:24Help yourselves, gentlemen.
22:32They're all broken.
22:34Now, my advice to you men
22:36would be to get back across that river to your farms.
22:38Of course, if you prefer,
22:40you're perfectly welcome to remain here
22:42and try and fight my troops with broken rifles.
22:44No, no, no.
22:46No!
22:48You don't understand, this is a trick.
22:50I have guns, believe me, I have guns.
22:52This is a trick.
22:54Please!
22:56Don't you understand?
22:58It's for the good of the cause
23:00you've got to stay with me.
23:02You are my soldiers.
23:04No, come back!
23:06Come back!
23:14Yes, Sergeant?
23:16Dispatch from Department Headquarters, sir.
23:18Read it.
23:20Request immediate report
23:22on United States National Forces
23:24forming in your district
23:26for an attack on Mexico.
23:29All right, take it down, sir.
23:31Yes, sir.
23:33Uh...
23:35I'm sorry, sir,
23:37but I don't think
23:39we have time for this.
23:40Yes, sir.
23:42Uh...
23:44Commanding General,
23:46Southwest Department,
23:48and so forth and so forth.
23:50Sir, action has already been taken.
23:52The border is now relatively quiet.
23:55That's all, Sergeant.
23:57Yes, sir.
23:59Oh, no, one more thing.
24:02Read Mr. Sam Archer
24:04back into the United States Cavalry.
24:07I don't understand.
24:08As a trooper.
24:10But I have a commission.
24:12You had a commission.
24:14Sam,
24:16please believe me,
24:18unless you prefer to stand charges,
24:20I'd consider it a privilege
24:22to have you serve in this command.
24:24Sir, you got yourself a soldier.
24:27Now, as for that commission,
24:29maybe we can talk about it later.
24:31Yes, sir.
24:33All right, Sergeant.
24:35I said to read Mr. Archer in.
24:36Yes, sir.
24:38Place your left hand on the book
24:40and raise your right hand.
24:42Repeat after me.
24:44I, Sam Archer.
24:46I, Sam Archer,
24:48hereby swear to uphold
24:50the Constitution of the United States.
24:52Hereby swear to uphold the Constitution...
24:58McKenzie's Raiders rode again and again,
25:01carrying out the secret orders
25:03of the President of the United States.
25:04Do whatever necessary
25:06to clean up the Southwest.
25:08Make it a decent place
25:10for people to live.
25:12Ride with McKenzie's Raiders
25:14as they relive the blazing pages
25:16of history in the making.
25:34¶¶
26:04¶¶