Cavalry (1936)

In the wake of the Civil War, Confederate colonel Lafe Harvey seeks refuge back home, bearing the heart-wrenching news of his brother's apparent death to his niece, Betty Lee. Their reunion is short-lived, as a marauding band of scavengers, led by the sinister Gavin Rance, forces them to flee their ravaged plantation. Embracing freedom, they liberate their slaves, and together, join a wagon train heading for the untamed West. Meanwhile, Union soldier Lieutenant Ted Thorne, having saved the life of the supposedly dead General John Harvey, now blind, is tasked by the General to find his misplaced kin. Thorne's mission takes him to the seat of the nascent nation's power, Washington D.C., where President Lincoln elevates him to Captain and assigns him the critical task of safeguarding the installation of a new telegraph line. This line is the only defense against a plot by disgruntled former Confederates to carve out their own country in the West. Out in the uncharted territories, Rance and his cohorts find employment with Horace Leeds, a wealthy tycoon spearheading the independence movement. Armed with stolen maps from the telegraph surveyors, they infiltrate the wagon train that houses the Harvey family in disguise. Thorne, hot on Rance's trail, uncovers Leeds' nefarious plan to incite the local Indian tribes against the wagon train, promising them weapons and ammunition in return for their alliance. Despite Thorne's warnings, the mistrustful Lafe aligns with Leeds, fueling the tension in the wagon train. Thorne, undeterred, strategizes with the cavalry to counter the impending Indian attack, offering them food and clothing to win their neutrality. As Leeds continues to manipulate the wagon train's members and carry out his deadly plan, Thorne finds himself painted as a Yankee spy. Despite the odds, Thorne uncovers Leeds' plot to destroy the telegraph line, resulting in a thrilling showdown. Leeds finds a hideout in Lafe and Betty Lee's house, where Thorne apprehends him, saving Lafe from the repercussions of his misguided alliance. In the aftermath, Thorne reunites Lafe with his partially sighted brother, Harvey, and steals away with Betty Lee to tie the knot, bringing a glimmer of hope and unity in a time of discord and betrayal. This journey through the aftermath of the Civil War is a compelling saga of loyalty, deceit, and the fight for a united nation.

Cavalry is a western movie featuring Bob Steele.

Cavalry is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Tubi TV.

It is also possible to buy Cavalry on Amazon Video.