Also, there’s a civilian traveling with them who reveals himself to be a Rebel agent, part of a plan to link with Southern sympathizers in California, and their gold, in a bid to save the South. He wants Tucker to return to the fort where he can keep an eye on Kenniston.

And to get in the good graces of the commander, he must force the widow Kenniston back with him.He’ll be gotten word when to make a move, It could be months or next week.Patrols keep finding wagon trails,but no wagons. Kenniston splits Tucker’s forces and sends them out under command of Bradford and another lieutenant(he still doesn’t fully trust Tucker) to find those wagons.

Then a patrol brings in a prisoner, the Apache chief’s son. Kenniston wants him questioned and sends for the scout that “understands that stuff.” Tucker receives word to get his troops and link up with a Rebel force of wagons, slips out of the fort to find one group, sends to the Lieutenant back to the fort to assist in the questioning of the Apache, then finds the other, taking Bradford prisoner. He sends a couple of men to get the captain near the fort.

The fort…it suddenly finds itself surrounded by 1500 Apache. Under truce, Kennsiton rides out with his scout to meet the chief, who demands his son back. Incensed at being ordered by an Indian and sends the young brave out…after shooting him in the back and tying him across his horse. The battle is on then.Tucker gets the three back and has to make a decision then. Continue on or return to help the fort.

The cavalry charge and the defense of the fort is beautifully filmed. Women and children join the fight, some loading, one scene of a small boy poking a big riffle through a hole and cutting loose. It finally comes down to the Apache wanting only one man and Kenniston knows it. The scene of him walking out the gate, unarmed, in the nighttime, a haze ahead, the gates swinging shut just as you hear a horrible cry of pain.

Filmed in black and white, this was one of the best westerns, cavalry branch, I can remember seeing. Nice performances all around and this one was loaded with those faces one recognizes, but can’t usually figure a name. Arthur Hunnicutt is Rebel Sgt. Pickens, Jay C. Flippen as his Northern counterpart, Sgt. Terrance Duey, even a young Dale Robertson has a small part.