Rocky Mountain

At a desert marker, the backstory is introduced: in 1865 eight Confederate horsemen led by Captain Lafe Barstow aim to recruit Cole Smith to raid California for the Confederacy. The marker frames the expedition's motives and stakes. From their vantage on Ghost Mountain, they also witness a Shoshone war party attack a stagecoach, drawing them into action.

Barstow's eight men ride to intervene as the stagecoach is attacked. They drive off the Shoshone and rescue the driver, Gil Craigie, and the surviving passenger, Johanna Carter, who is traveling to join her fiancé, Lt. Rickey.

That night, the Indians burn the stage. The next morning, a detachment of four Union soldiers and three Shoshone scouts examine the ashes.

Barstow's men ambush the detachment, killing one and capturing the rest, including Lt. Rickey. From them, Barstow learns that the Union knows about their presence in California and that California Beal is actually Cole Smith.

Barstow watches Smith depart with his men, who promise to return in two days with reinforcements. Barstow remains wary but resolves to hold position and wait for aid.

That night, while Jimmy is on watch, the Indians attempt a breakout from the camp. The soldiers kill two, but Man Dog, the Shoshone chief, evades their bullets.

Near dawn, Rickey's guards jump their posts; one dies in the attempt, another is recaptured, but Rickey escapes. The southerners find a riderless horse, which turns out to be Smith's, confirming that help is not coming.

Barstow chooses to lure the pursuing Indians away by riding out with all his men while Johanna, Craigie and the Union trooper slip away to safety. The plan buys a chance for the others to escape.

The Rebels ride into a box canyon to draw the Shoshone away in a last stand. During the engagement, Lt. Rickey returns with a troop of Union cavalry, but they arrive too late to save Barstow's men.

The Union cavalry's effort proves futile and Barstow's force is wiped out. Johanna later tells Rickey what happened, recounting the fateful mission and the fates of the soldiers.

Lt. Rickey raises the Confederate rebel flag atop Rocky Mountain to salute the bravery of the fallen Rebels and mark the end of this episode.