Release date:July 28, 1949, 104 minutes
Director: John Ford
Cast Includes:
Synopsis:
Captain Brittles (John Wayne) has own the deference of his ranking officer, Major Allshard (George O'Brien), respect from his junior officers, Lieutenants Cohill (John Agar) and Pennell (Harry Carey, Jr)., and affection from the men in the ranks such as Sergeants Quincannon (Victor McLaglen) and Tyree (Ben Johnson).
He has one last mission before returning to civil life. The Indians have begun a holy war which he must face. With his troop he leaves to trail them, but at the same time must escort the Major's wife (Mildred Natwick) and her daughter Olivia (Joanne Dru) out of the danger zone. Cohill and Pennell are in love with Olivia, each vying to have her wear a yellow ribbon as a token of his love. But at the stage station they find it devastated and the residents massacred, and that all must return back with the women to the fort.
On the return march, a scouting group witnesses the fort's own sutler engaged in a deal with the Indians for repeating rifles. A quarrel ensues and the sutler and his men are slaughtered by the enraged braves, who then seize all the rifles.
As the column continues its march, moving parallel with it are a thousand warriors. Captain Brittles leaves behind a rear guard in order to gain time to get the women to the fort. There, Major Allshard relieves Captain Brittles of his command because of the latter's near termination of service. Under the command of Lt. Pennell, the troop fares forth again, imperilled by the overwhelming force of Indians. But Captain Brittles, realising the inexperience of Lt. Pennell, overtakes the column, and takes over as the troop nears the encampment of the enemy.
Captain Brittles has formed a plan of campaign to avoid a hopeless battle. He rides boldly into the war camp of the Indians, ostensibly for a powwow with their leader, but really to scout the layout of their concentration. The powwow has no result, and the captain and his small escort barely get away with their lives.
Now his plan of action unfolds. The column at full gallop descends upon the encampment, firing wildly and stampeding hundreds of Indian ponies. The action puts the Indian afoot and they retreat to their reservations. Just as Captain Brittles bids the fort farewell, word comes that he has been appointed Chief of Civilian Scouts with the rank of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel.