Wagon Train (TV Series)

The Clay Shelby Story (1964)

Richard Carlson: Lt. Burns

Quotes 

• Lt. Burns : Now we've got two choices but the outcome will be the same. We can stay here and live a little longer or we can go out there after Iron Hand before he expects us and die a little sooner. But we would be helping those civilians. I have every right to order you but I'd be proud to ride out ahead of volunteers.

• Lt. Burns : Gentlemen, there is a relief column on its way. I expect it here in about 12 hours. I intend to sit right here and wait for it.

• Lt. Burns : Thirty years of service, Sergeant. Now it looks like it's all going up in smoke.

• Sgt. Bragan : I know him, Mr Hale. That's good enough for me. And the penalty for desertion in wartime is death, boy.

  Christopher Hale : That's for a military court to decide.

  Sgt. Bragan : No, it isn't, Mr Hale. This isn't just another court-martial. This is personal. My brother was on guard that night you and Randolph ran out. Who bashed his head in? You or Randolph? Come on, admit it was you!

  Lt. Burns : Sergeant! There's no place for personal grudges in the Army!

• Lt. Burns : Mr Smith, we weren't hurt too badly.

  Cooper Smith : That was just a feel out, Lieutenant. The big show comes tomorrow.

• Lt. Burns : I think they have a way of saying it at Westpoint, where every good soldier goes sooner or later.

• Lt. Burns : There's enough Comanches out there to run right over you.

  Cooper Smith : I think they spotted you, Lieutenant. They've been waiting for you.

  Lt. Burns : Do you think I ran into a trap, Mr Smith?

  Cooper Smith : it looks that way.

  Christopher Hale : We were expecting a full military escort out of Fort Stock, Lieutenant, not just a handful of troopers.

  Lt. Burns : I'm afraid the info I received was in error. We expected just a few discontented braves with Iron Hand. Somebody made a mistake.

  Christopher Hale : A big one.

• Lt. Burns : What would you say makes a good soldier?

  Sgt. Bragan : Off the record, Sir?

  Lt. Burns : Off the record.

  Sgt. Bragan : A man that can kill. That's what we trained for, Lieutenant. From the moment we walk out on that drill field. Find the enemy and kill him. That's our job. You got no other choice, Lieutenant.