The Horse Soldiers Trivia Quiz

Answer: John Wayne and William Holden

John Wayne portrays Colonel John Marlowe, commander of a Union cavalry brigade which is making a raid into the Confederate state of Mississippi in the summer of 1863. Assigned to Marlowe's troops against his wishes is Army surgeon Henry Kendall, who is played by William Holden. The film was directed by legendary American director John Ford.

Answer: American Civil War

Set in the summer of 1863 in the Western Theater of the American Civil War, "The Horse Soldiers" tells the story of a Union cavalry raid into Mississippi during the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi. The soldiers wrecked railroads and burned supplies to keep the Confederates from reinforcing the city.

Answer: To be in a parade in Nashville, Tennessee

While gathering the men together and planning the raid, a rumor goes around the camp that the men are heading north to be in a parade in Union-held Nashville, Tennessee. Colonel Marlowe realizes that the rumor will help keep the plans for the raid a secret, and does not tell his troops where their true destination lies. Once on the road, some of the soldiers realize that they are headed south into Confederate territory.

Answer: Building railroads

Colonel Marlowe was a railroad engineer before the Civil War, planning and building railroads. He began as a laborer, laying track, and worked his way up into engineering. Kendall called Marlowe "section hand" several times as an insult.

Answer: Because Marlowe hated doctors

Colonel Marlowe was angry when the generals cut out his artillery and supply wagons, yet assigned Major Kendall (William Holden), a doctor, to his force. We find out later that Marlowe's wife had died during surgery, leading to his hatred of doctors.

Answer: She was caught spying on them.

The Union troops camp at Greenbriar, a plantation owned by Hannah Hunter (Constance Towers). Acting as a good hostess, Hannah serves the officers dinner, but she and her slave, Lukey (Althea Gibson) are caught listening in on the officers while they discuss their plans. Colonel Marlowe is forced to bring the women along to safeguard the secrecy of the mission.

Answer: Newton Station

Marlowe and his men are planning on raiding the town of Newton Station, a railroad hub where troops and supplies for the city of Vicksburg pass through. The soldiers are to destroy the railroad line and any supplies they find in the town.

Answer: A boy's military school

After the Union troops destroy the railroad and supplies in the town of Newton Station, a Confederate colonel convinces the headmaster of a military school, whose charges are all boys 16 and under, to attack the Union troops and allow his artillery and cavalry to get behind them. Realizing that the forces attacking him are boys, Marlowe retreats without engaging the youngsters.

Answer: Knocks them out and turns them over to the sheriff

When his scouts are fired upon from a barn, Colonel Marlowe and the men encounter two deserters from the Confederate army. After questioning them, Marlowe knocks them out and turns them over to the county sheriff, who the men had taken prisoner.

Answer: Yes

After the battle with the military school cadets, a unit of regular Confederate cavalry begins chasing the Union soldiers. Marlowe and his men skirmish with the Confederates before turning away and blowing up a bridge to make good their escape.