General Custer is dead, at Little Big horn.

A government stagecoach with Calvry payroll has been robbed by the indians

A group of indians (Southern Cheyenne Dog soldiers) are responsible for the payroll robbery accordingly because Sgt Tyree indentifies the arrow as dog soldier. Nathan is bewildered as the reason the Cheyenne have wandered so far away from their home lands.

Indian agent Karl Rynders and his translator are selling guns to the Cheyenne, but a red shirt Cheyenne kills and robs the men. Nathan watches does not stop the murder, not wanting to give away their secret mission and position.

Captain Nathan Brittles is set to retire in ten days.

Abby and niece Olivia Dandridge prevented from leaving the Kanab fort. Olivia pretends too to prefer Lt. Ross Pennel over Lt. Clint Cohill. Olivia at the end of the movie marries Lt. Clint Cohill, as Nathan returns as Lt. Col of patrol.

Major Mac Allshard wants his wife and daughter to join Captain Brittles patrol to be delivered safely to Sudros Well and catch a stagecoach east. Olivia where a yellow ribbon in her hair and each of her suitors wonders if it for him.

Sitting Bull and Crazy horse have unified 10,000 Commanche, Sioux, Apache, Cheyenne, and Arapho to find the white man. Indian war looks pending.

The indian patrol encounters a group of Arapho and Nathan decides to give them a wide birth which delays arrival to their destination by half day.

The patrol see a large group of buffalo.

Nathan learns that some of the young indian warriors believe that a war with the white man will bring back the buffalo and have stopped listening to the older men.

Before Sgt Tyree reaches Paradise river, he and his men are attacked by indians and Mike Quayne is wounded. Mike Quayne is operated on by Dr. O' Laughlin on a moving wagon.

Sudros Well has been raided and burnt. The patrol marches back to fort Stark.

Nathan declares the mission a failure and asks permission to return to Paradise river. Ross leads the patrol. Olivia kisses Clint.

Nathan arranges for Sgt. Quincannon to get in a bar fight, get thrown in the brig, and receive the maximum retirement pension possible. Sgt. Quincannon bare knuckle fighting is painful to watch.

Nathan receives a silver watch from his men.

Sound Charge

Sound Retreat

Women to the back

Officers to the front

Nathan talks with Pony-That-Walks and realizes the old men can not stop war.

Nathan stops the war by attacking the indian camp at 15 minutes before mid night and chases the horses through camp. The indians return to there reservations.

The war department promotes Nathan to Lt Col, chief of scouts, at a new post.