The Shiloh Degnan Story

One unusual thing about this Wagon Train story is that we don't see the title character until the very end of the episode and he has no dialog. Shiloh Degnan is a Civil War hero, a Custer like general of reckless courage who is back from a recent engagement with the Indians on the Republican River in Nebraska Territory.

John McIntire gets involved with the army when an old friend Major Russell Johnson is found more dead than alive and he expires shortly after. But not before in his ravings says a certain story from the Old Testament will tell his story.

Bringing the body back to the fort, McIntire questions a few people who include the widow Nancy Gates, the commanding general R.G. Armstrong, a Harper's Weekly Reporter covering the current Indian campaign Barry Morse, and Sergeant Peter Whitney in the guardhouse and scheduled to be drummed out of the army for deserting Johnson.

Bit by bit McIntire puts the story together and there is definitely a Bible story that is the model for this situation and the plot of this episode. McIntire reads it at Johnson's burial ceremony at the conclusion with the title character looking on.

To tell you what Bible story it is would give the whole plot away. But I will say that the story is left hanging and you can draw your own conclusions about what will become of this legend.

I have been watching these episodes, daily as they are rebroadcast. I continue to be amazed with the writing and acting. The actors are all dedicated to their craft. And such famous actors and actresses. This one is no less great. Uniforms and military traditions are perfect. Everything is tied up at the end perfectly! Acting is great also. And all for an hour episode! Thank you for bringing these back!