Returning to Fort Lincoln, Capt. Benson learns of Custer's defeat at the Little Big Horn. At the inquiry as Custer's officers blame Custer for the defeat, Benson tries to defend him. However, Benson was suspiciously absent at the time of the battle and is now despised by the troops. So when an order to retrieve the bodies from the battlefield arrives, Benson volunteers for the dangerous mission of returning back into Indian territory.