Walk With You - Scene 24

Walk With You

Scene 24

U S Grant

Corpus Christi, Texas - 1846

Music: The Ash Grove - Welsh Folk Song

SUPER IN

Corpus Christi, Texas 1846

HARRIET SCOTT (V.O.)

Dred was the personal servant of Henry Bainbridge. They travel to Texas.

The Mexican War is about to break out.

Inside of Kinney’s Ranch, officers of the United States are having dinner.  The Battle of Buena Vista looms before them.

FADE IN:

HARRIET SCOTT (V.O.)

Dred is serving Major General Zachary Taylor, Quartermaster US Grant, Colonel Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee and other officers.

Dred Scott puts a plate of food before Quartermaster Grant.

DRED SCOTT

Gentlemen, your dinner is served.

ULYSSES S GRANT

Good evening. Thank you my good man.

DRED SCOTT

My pleasure Sir.

HARRIET SCOTT (V.O.)

Grant turns to General Taylor, continuing a conversation.

ULYSSES S GRANT

You are correct General, slavery should not be expanded west than it already is.

HARRIET SCOTT (V.O.)

Dred continues to serve dinner. His smile is infectious.

JEFFERSON DAVIS

The Quartermaster is showing true colors of our northern states. He fails to recognize the vital importance of matters to the South.

ULYSSES S GRANT

I agree that I am not familiar with your issues however, I have a understanding of what is moral.

ZACHARY TAYLOR

Gentlemen, I am quite certain this topic should not be discussed here. However,I agree with the quartermaster that this subject should be left only to the lands it occupies on now.

JEFFERSON DAVIS

We of the south will not let that happen  Sir.

HARRIET SCOTT (V.O.)

Dred Scott serves Jefferson Davis.

DRED SCOTT

Good evening sir

Davis smile has been reversed. He is visibly annoyed.

JEFFERSON DAVIS

Continue with your business.

ROBERT E LEE

Good evening, this is excellent fare.

DRED SCOTT

Thank you.

HARRIET SCOTT (V.O.)

Dred steps more lively around the table

ULYSSES S GRANT

What is your name?

DRED SCOTT

I am Dred, husband of Harriet. I have a beautiful daughter Eliza. Harriet is currently with another child.

It is a pleasure serving you Sir.

ULYSSES S GRANT

Congratulations Dred. Perhaps Colonel Davis can learn from you the manners of the north country.

JEFFERSON DAVIS

My position is the quartermaster is overstepping his bounds.

We should drop this subject before it goes to places that the quartermaster will wish we should not go to.

ULYSSES S GRANT

Colonel I have yet to find a subject that I cannot fully address. I defer to the General wishes here and now.

Colonel rest assured this topic is not an issue that is dropped.

ZACHARY TAYLOR

I order both of you to refrain from a continuance of this subject matter now.

DRED SCOTT

I am sorry for being the cause of this dispute Sirs. Please forgive me.

ULYSSES S GRANT

Unnecessary, you have done nothing that you need to apologize for Dred

JEFFERSON DAVIS

The quartermaster is louder and bolder than his position dictates.

ULYSSES S GRANT

I will address the Colonel at a later date. Undoubtedly will be more like me that will settle it properly perhaps at the Colonel's front door.

Although I suspect he will not be home to receive our welcome.

HARRIET SCOTT (V.O.)

After serving dinner, Dred retired to the office of Henry Bainbridge. Finishing the Major’s business Dred and Bainbridge discussed briefly of all things, his wife.  

The Major took out a piece of paper and pen and told Dred to tell him his thoughts. He would write them down and mail the letter to his wife. I still have that letter close to my heart

DRED SCOTT

Dear Harriet:

If only I was with you at this special time. If you get this, please tell me how you are. How is Eliza my darling daughter?

Major Bainbridge is at Kinney’s Ranch near the border of Texas. He says that we are about to go to war with Mexico.

I served dinner last night. An officer named Jefferson Davis was dark and distant to me. He spoke of what is not good to hear.

I did not trust him at all

An officer was named US Grant. I asked him what the US stood for, he said his given name was Hiram Ulysses. His friends gave him the US, that is what he has gotten used to. An officer next to US called him Uncle Sam.

When US spoke I can see fire in his eyes. He had a fearless quality about him that made me think he was bound for good things.

He told me that he did not want to participate in this war about slavery.

I told him about my Harriet in St. Louis and a daughter that I loved. He told me of a girl in St. Louis named Julia that he planned on marrying, he loved her as much as I love you.

I Love you and wish I was with you my love.

Dred

HARRIET SCOTT (V.O.)

Dred witnesses the Battle of Buena Vista. Zachary Taylor becomes a national hero and later becomes President.

Fade to: Panoramic view of Jefferson Barracks.