Question From The Horse Soldiers

[Mrs.McLintock]

Watched this last night; I love this one....maybe it's because I am from the south and I like the idea of a southern girl captivating the Duke.

Question that I have always wondered about; in the very end where Marlowe gets shot and the doctor is taking out the bullet, he says, believe it or not I have bought you a little time

A couple of hours, MArlowe replys; maybe longer than that, says Kendall.

What are they talking about? It can't be the injury, a shot in the leg wouldn't be fatal.

[Cole Thornton]

I haven't seen the HORSE SOLDIERS in quite some time, so I don't remember the scene all that well. I'm also not a doctor. However, a leg wound or any other wound, even minor ones- could be fatal in the Civil War era. Medicine was a primitive science at best and many wounded died from infection. A lot of men died while waiting for medical attention from overworked and exhausted "doctors" who were little more than butchers removing wounded limbs from troops. There used to be stacks of amputated limbs with boots still on the leg. I guess Marlowe was lucky enough to have a skilled surgeon around (officers usually were) who could attend to the wound, whereas junior officers and enlisted men had to wait. Perhaps you've heard the well-worn information regarding more men dying from infection than in combat.

[Robbie]

Mrs Mclintock welcome to this messageboard.

Kendall was talking about how long John Wayne would be able to ride a horse without his leg busting open and preventing him from continuing, 4 or 5 hours would have been a significant amount of time to allow Duke to get away from danger.

[Cole Thornton]

Looks like you got it Robbie! And here I was pontificating about Civil War era medicine...

[Robbie]

Col

Your post was never the less informative, I have one question to ask you however do you change the picture under you name every day? :D

[arthurarnell]

Hi Mrs McLintock

It could be because Kendall decided to stay with the wounded knowing that the column wouldn't be slowed down and that he would end up in Andersonville.

In Harold Sinclair's book Marlowe does not get wounded and the only bridge blowing scene is half way through the book at Newton Station. imo the book is infinitely better than the picture and neither the doctor nor Hannah feature in it. as leading characters

The original script called for Marlowes brigade to make a triumphant entry into New Orleans, so there was never any question question of the character getting killed off.



Regards

Arthur

[Cole Thornton]

Originally posted by Robbie@Feb 18 2005, 08:35 AM
Col

Your post was never the less informative, I have one question to ask you however do you change the picture under you name every day? :D

[snapback]14753[/snapback]

I'm in the "adolescent" stage of my time here at the board. ;) Just trying to discover who I am! :D

Actually, a lot of times the avatar I select doesn't show up as well as I'd like, but I'm pretty happy with the whiteshirted Duke avatar I'm using "today."

[arthurarnell]

Hi

It amazing that in a three minute spell reading this item with only one question on it while typing out an explanation I find three others ahead of my all giving a better explanatin, and yes Robbie I think you are right.


Regards

Arthur

[chester7777]

Originally posted by arthurarnell@Feb 18 2005, 09:48 AM
Hi

It amazing that in a three minute spell reading this item with only one question on it while typing out an explanation* I find three others ahead of my all giving a better explanatin, and yes Robbie I think you are right.


Regards

Arthur

[snapback]14772[/snapback]

You gotta be quick around here, Arthur!

Chester

[Mrs.McLintock]

Actually, Cole's explanation had crossed my mind; remember the other solider who ignored Kendall's instructions about the tree moss and has to have an amputation only to die.

The other makes sense too, though.

I like the way they mention Andersonville in the movie, adds to the realism. I live about an hour from Andersonville, went on a field trip there with my son before Christmas. You have to see it to believe it.