Fort Apache

Captain Yorke:
If you can see them, they're not Apaches.

Lt. Col. Thursday:
Pour me a drink of that scripture.

Captain Yorke:
The Sioux once raided into Apache territory. Old-timers told me you can follow the line of their retreat by the bones of their dead.

Lt. Col. Thursday:
I suggest the Apache had deteriorated since then, judging by a few of the specimens I have seen on the way out here.

Captain Yorke:
Well, if you saw them, sir, they weren't Apaches.

Sgt. Johnny Beaufort:
Did any of you men serve in the Confederate army during the late unpleasantness?

Recruit:
Yes sir. I had the honor of serving with General Nathan Bedford Forrest.

Sgt. Johnny Beaufort:
I would like to shake your hand. You are now an acting corporal. I hope you have the honor of buying me a drink on your next payday.

Lt. Col. Thursday:
Sergeant Major, are you by chance related to Lt. O'Rourke?

RSM Michael O'Rourke:
Not by chance, sir, by blood. He is my son.

Lt. Col. Thursday:
Are you a former officer, Sergeant Major?

RSM Michael O'Rourke:
Yes, sir. During the war I was a major with the 69th New York; The Irish Brigade.

Lt. Col. Thursday:
Still; how did your son get into West Point?

RSM Michael O'Rourke:
It was by presidential appointment, sir.

Lt. Col. Thursday:
I was under the impression that presidential appointments were reserved for the sons of men who had won the Congressional Medal of Honor.

RSM Mchael O'Rourke:
That is my impression as well, sir. Anything else, sir?

Captain Yorke:
Beaufort speaks Spanish and my Apache has its limits. Besides, Beaufort was an officer under Jeb Stuart during the war.

Lt. Col. Thursday:
Hmm. I remember "Kaydet" Stuart.

Captain Collingwood:
Indeed.

Lt. Col. Thursday:
What was that, Captain?

Captain Collingwood:
I said 'indeed', Colonel.

RSM Michael O'Rourke:
How's the boy doing, Festus?

First Sgt. Festus Mulcahy:
Michael, Lt. O'Rourke is an officer and a gentleman; but that is no job for a gentleman.

RSM Michael O'Rourke:
Well. (walks over to Lt. O'Rourke) Excuse me, sir; would Lt. O'Rourke join me at the stables?

Lt. Col. Owen Thursday:
Captain York, send out a detail the recover the bodies and repair the telegraph line.

Captain Yorke:
Yes, sir. Sergeant Major. Assemble B Troop...

Lt. Col. Thursday:
A company? I said a detail. An officer and four men.

Captain Yorke:
An officer and four men, I will command...

Lt. Col. Thursday:
Lt. O'Rourke will command.

Captain Yorke:
Lt. O'Rourke will command. Have the men draw sixty rounds per rifle...

Lt. Col. Thursday:
That's a lot of ammunition for men who've been trained to shoot. Twenty will be sufficient.

Captain Yorke:
...twenty will be sufficient and eighteen rounds per revolving psitol. Ask for volunteers.

RSM O'Rourke:
Sir, request permission to volunteer.

Lt. Col. Thursday:
Permission denied. Gather the men Sergeant Major.

RSM O'Rourke:
(speaking to his son outside) Mickey, you know what's expected of you.

2nd Lt. Michael O'Rourke:
Sure, Dad. (leaves the office)

RSM O'Rourke:
(to his orderlies) Find Mulcahy and Shaddock, get Quincannon from the guardhouse, and go to the stables and get Johnny Reb. Tell them they've all volunteered for a very dangerous assignment. Tell them the regiment is proud of them. Now, get going, the whole of you.

Lt. Col. Owen Thursday:
Captain Yorke; you spoke of forming a platoon from B Troop? Collingwood, do you recall the paper Captain Robert E. Lee presented at West Point on the use of the trap as a military manuever? I'm not of the popular opinion of Captain Lee's tactical brilliance, but that paper impressed me; particularly the manuever used by Genghis Khan at the Battle of Kinshee. Ah, you still here, Captain?

Captain Yorke:
No, sir. (starts to leave)

Lt. Col Thursday:
What, no argument, Captain?

Captain Yorke:
No sir, not this time.

Lt. Col. Owen Thursday:
Sergeant Major, sound officer's call.

Regimental Sergeant Major O'Rourke:
Officer's call, sir?

Lt. Col. Owen Thursday:
How long have you been in the army, Sergeant Major?

Regimental Sergeant Major O'Rourke:
The American army, sir? Sixteen years, sir.

Lt. Col. Owen Thursday:
Then you know what officer's call is.

Regimental Sergeant Major O'Rourke:
Sound officer's call.

Captain Yorke:
Upon reporting to a new post, each officer is to present his card to the commanding officer at the earliest convenience.

2nd Lt. Michael O'Rourke:
The officer is also to leave cards for each female member of the commanding officer's family.

Philadelphia Thursday:
So, that's all this is? A duty call?

Captain Yorke:
Of course, there's nothing in the regulations that says the commanding officer's daughter should receive the card while in her nightdress.

Philadelphia Thursday:
Nightdress? This is a dressing gown.

2nd Lt. Michael O'Rourke:
I wouldn't know, ma'am.

Captain Collingwood:
Philadelphia, were you born in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia Thursday:
No, I was born in New York City. I was named after my mother.

Captain Collingwood:
Oh, then she was born in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Thursday:
No, she was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. She was named after her mother; she was the first Philadelphia.

Captain Collingwood:
Oh, then she was...

Philadelphia Thursday:
No, Boston, Massachusetts.

Sgt. Johnny Beaufort:
New commanding officer.

Sgt. Johnny Beaufort:
No, the new commanding officer.

Lt. Col. Owen Thursday:
Where is Captain Yorke?

Captain Yorke:
Here, sir. Welcome, to Fort Apache, General Thursday.

Lt. Col. Owen Thursday:
A man's rank is what he's paid on, Captain. I'm paid at the rank of Lt. Colonel.

Captain Yorke:
My apologies, Colonel. I remembered you as a general during the war.

Lt. Col. Thursday:
I'll trouble you for your sabre, Captain.

Captain Yorke:
But, sir...

Lt. Col. Thursday:
When you command this regiment; and you probably will, command it! (rides off)

Captain Yorke:
Yes, sir.

Newspaper reporter:
We always remember the Thursdays; but what about the other men who rode out that day; they're forgotten. Gates, Hollingsworth...

Captain Yorke:
Collingwood and you're wrong there. As long as the regiment lives, they'll live in its memory.

RSM Michael O'Rourke:
What are the orders, Captain?

Captain Yorke:
Full frontal attack by the entire regiment.

RSM Michael O'Rourke:
The madman!

Captain Yorke:
I've been relieved of my troop. I'm to guard the supply train and take Lt. O'Rourke with me.

RSM Michael O'Rourke:
Thank you, sir.

Captain Yorke:
Lieutenant, we are to go back and guard the supply train!

2nd Lt. Michael O'Rourke:
But, sir...

First Sgt. Festus Mulcahy:
Get goin', you young pup!

First Sgt. Festus Mulcahy:
Steady, men! You're followin' me now!