The Command

Capt. Robert MacClaw:
I'm getting out of the Army in seven days.

Martha Cutting:
As a civilian?

Capt. Robert MacClaw:
As a doctor.

Martha Cutting:
But you're one now.

Capt. Robert MacClaw:
Am I? A veterinarian can yank an arrow out of a dead man or a live one and a blacksmith can cauterize a wound with a hot iron. But neither of 'em can pull a child through diptheria or pneumonia.

Capt. Robert MacClaw:
My troops has extra mounts, sir. I thought perhaps you would like to use one.

Col. Janeway:
I'm an infantryman, MacClaw. If I'm going to die, I'm not going to do it sitting down.

Capt. Robert MacClaw:
Sir, may I suggest that my troop act as rear guard?

Col. Janeway:
Where did you learn cavalry tactics, Captain?

Capt. Robert MacClaw:
Well, infantry isn't mobile...

Col. Janeway:
Neither is dead cavalry. Ask Custer!

Capt. Robert MacClaw:
The riflemen are going to fight from the wagons.

Maj. Gibbs:
Fight from wagons?

Capt. Robert MacClaw:
Well, why not?

Maj. Gibbs:
It's never been done! Wagons are supposed to be used as a defense.

Capt. Robert MacClaw:
So the book says. Let's keep a closed book and an open mind, Major.

Sgt. Elliott:
Well, injuns fight two ways, Captain. When they're running against a little outfit, they go ring around right away and close in quick for the kill. But if they're running against a big outfit, like we're tied up with now, they'll keep hacking and chopping away at your weak spots until they wear you down. Then make a ring around. And once they get you in a circle, you're finished.

Col. Janeway:
Mr. O'Hirons! Mr. O'Hirons! Regulations stipulate $10 a month additional for command functions. When we reach the Paradise, notify the paymaster that Captain MacClaw has commanded with distinction. The government owes him $3.30.

Martha Cutting:
You hate being a soldier and you hate killing. Yet you do it.

Capt. Robert MacClaw:
I got a uniform and a conscience. Right now, the uniform covers the conscience.

Martha Cutting:
You sympathize with them. Why?

Capt. Robert MacClaw:
Perhaps because we destroyed the Indian's ability to make a distinction between the good and the bad. He has a child's logic: the white man hurt him, therefore all white men are bad.

Sgt. Elliott:
Never say an injun is dumb. He just waits for the chance to use his one good cavalry tactic: ring around and close in.