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The United States Army is a recurring faction in the Red Dead series.

Overview[]

The United States Army is a branch of the United States Armed Forces, responsible for land-based military operations against enemy forces, foreign and domestic. The United States Army is the largest and oldest established branch of the United States Armed Forces and is one of seven uniformed military services. In Red Dead Redemption, if the player has a high enough bounty in the United States region of the map, the Army could be sent after the player.

History[]

Background[]

The modern-day Army has its roots in the Continental Army, which was formed on June 14th 1775, before the establishment of the independent United States, to meet the demands of the American Revolutionary War. Congress created the official United States Army on 14th June, 1784, after the end of the war to replace the disbanded Continental Army. The Army considers itself to be descended from the Continental Army, and thus dates its inception from the origins of that force. It is known that Bill Williamson was in the U.S. Army for a time, and that he was involved in a conflict with the Indians, before being dishonorably discharged in December 1892 for deviancy and attempted murder. Aside from this, the U.S. Army are also known to have killed the wife and first son of Rains Fall while forcibly relocating the Wapiti tribe from their homes in the Heartlands to a new reservation in Ambarino.

Events of Red Dead Online[]

As in the story mode, the Army is almost exclusively encountered in Fort Wallace, and is rarely encountered outside the fort. Samson Finch and his partner are former soldiers. After the latter's betrayal, Samson hires the protagonist (low Honor required) to find and kill him when he decides to hide with their old regiment at Fort Wallace and to sabotage the regiment's chances of robbing a bank Samson is targeting by destroying the fort's ammo dump.

Criminal gangs made up of Army deserters can also be encountered during bounty hunting and free roam.

Events of Red Dead Redemption 2[]

Rdr2 american army

The U.S. Army in the mission "Favored Sons"

The U.S. Army serves as a minor, antagonistic faction throughout most of the game, and is almost exclusively encountered in Fort Wallace or its surrounding areas. Just prior to the events of the game, the Spanish-American War was fought and won, and soon after the game begins, the Philippine-American War was declared.[1]

Beaver Hollow Chapter[]

The Army is first seen when Eagle Flies rides to the Van der Linde gang’s camp in Beaver Hollow, requesting help in retrieving the Wapiti Indians' horses that were confiscated by the Army. Seeing this as a good way to divert the government's attention away from the gang, Dutch agrees and brings Arthur and Charles to help. Soon afterward, Dutch and Eagle Flies formulate a plan to trap some soldiers in order to tar and feather them. However, due to the unexpectedly large amount, it fails, resulting in Eagle Flies' capture, along with Dutch and Arthur only narrowly escaping after being cornered.

Arthur can also choose to help Rains Fall in certain endeavors. He steals a Chanunpa that was confiscated by the Army and brings it back to Rains Fall. He can also help Captain Lyndon Monroe and steal vaccines that were being purposely withheld by the U.S. Army. Eventually, Colonel Favours, leader of the men stationed at Fort Wallace, calls for negotiations between him and Rains Fall, but they are unsuccessful, as Favours is unwilling to give in, and says that the Indians are “little more than criminals.” Not only this, but he also tries to have Captain Monroe hanged for treason, although he is rescued by Arthur and Charles.

Later on, Arthur and Charles decide to try and rescue Eagle Flies, who has been imprisoned in Fort Wallace. After scaling the back wall and stealthily killing some guards, they manage to rescue Eagle Flies from his cell. The trio make their escape while being pursued by U.S. Army soldiers, and eventually outrun them by canoeing to safety.

Afterwards, in the mission "My Last Boy,” a number of soldiers from Fort Wallace, under command of Colonel Favours, engage in battle against the Wapiti Indians, led by Eagle Flies, in order to defend Cornwall Kerosene & Tar. Although the soldiers had killed several Indians and nearly defeated them, the arrival of the Van der Linde gang successfully turned the tide of battle. The gang and remaining Indians assaulted on two fronts. Dutch led most of the gang members to attack the warehouse, while Arthur led the Indians, Charles, and Sadie to rescue Eagle Flies. After a short but fierce battle, almost all defending soldiers, including Colonel Favours, were killed. However, it was costly for the Indians as well, as many of their warriors, including Eagle Flies himself, had died as a result. To avoid reprisal from the Army, the Wapiti fled from their reservation and escaped to Canada under Charles’s guidance, who opted to leave the Van der Linde gang in favor of helping the tribe.

The American Army is seen for a final time during the train robbery undertaken by the gang. They are seen defending the train from the attacking gang members. One soldier notably shoots John Marston in the shoulder during the robbery, leading to him being abandoned by the others. After the gang seizes control of the train, Army reinforcements are sent to chase after the train, but are unsuccessful, as most are gunned down by a Maxim gun.

The soldier in the Army is also encountered in "Money Lending and Other Sins VI,” where Leopold Strauss asks Arthur to collect a debt from J. John Weathers, a soldier who deserted and ran off with his Native American lover. Arthur tracks Weathers down only to be told that he is destitute. Immediately after, a number of soldiers arrive to kill Weathers for his desertion, resulting in Arthur being forced to step in and protect him. Weathers offers Arthur a silver locket to pay off the debt, to which Arthur can respond by accepting it or absolving the debt altogether.

Events of Red Dead Redemption[]

Rdr u.s

U.S. Army Cavalry in Red Dead Redemption.

U.S. Army soldiers fight alongside Marston in the hunt for Dutch van der Linde at Camp Cochinay, near Tall Trees. During the mission "And The Truth Will Set You Free", if John rides in front of the column of U.S. soldiers, the captain in charge of the soldiers will imply that the Bureau of Investigation is forcing the men to cooperate, similar to Marston's situation.

After the assault on Cochinay, the U.S. Army is not seen until the mission "The Last Enemy That Shall Be Destroyed", where they attack Beecher's Hope. During the battle, Uncle is slain, eventually followed by John Marston himself, who is killed by a large firing squad, which is mainly comprised of U.S. Army soldiers.

Events of Undead Nightmare[]

The U.S. Army is encountered during the mission "American Imperialism", in which John can help some deserters defend the Scratching Post from the undead, or steal a uniform from their camp. After acquiring a uniform, he joins a team of soldiers in a train heading to Nuevo Paraíso, but on the way, are ambushed by a large horde of undead while trying to clear a roadblock and are forced to retreat, leaving John alone with the undead.

They are also seen in the mission "Missing Souls", when the U.S. Army captain that helps Marston in the assault on Cochinay is seen putting a poster of a missing person. The U.S. Army can also be seen guarding the survivors in Fort Mercer.

Notable members[]

Red Dead Revolver[]

Red Dead Redemption & Undead Nightmare[]

Red Dead Redemption Multiplayer[]

Red Dead Redemption 2[]

Red Dead Online[]

Units[]

  • 29th Ambarino Volunteer Infantry (disbanded)[12]
  • 5th Cavalry[8]
  • 15th Infantry[6]

Known fortifications[]

Red Dead Revolver[]

Red Dead Redemption Series[]

Mission appearances[]

Red Dead Redemption[]

Undead Nightmare[]

Red Dead Redemption 2[]

Trivia[]

  • The "General Boden" mentioned by Buffalo Soldier in Red Dead Revolver could be a nod to General Imboden, a real army general during the American Civil War who commanded an irregular cavalry force.
    • Albeit, John D. Imboden was part of the Confederacy, not the Union, but knowing Rockstar's crude sense of humor, it is likely that this detail could have been intentional.
  • The uniforms of the U.S. Army and the Mexican Army in Red Dead Redemption are similar, but with some notable differences: the U.S. Army uniforms are khaki in color and well maintained, while the Mexican Army uniforms are mostly grey in color, well worn, loose, and poorly maintained.
  • The use of the Bolt Action Rifle by the U.S. Army in 1911 is anachronistic, as the Springfield M1903 rifle had replaced the Krag–Jørgensen rifle in service. However, it might be possible that the U.S. Army is seen in Red Dead Redemption still uses Krag–Jørgensens because they are clearly not a front-line unit, or even National Guard, which by 1911 had not been fully re-equipped with the M1903.
    • The use of the Lancaster Repeater by the U.S. Army in 1899 is also anachronistic, as the service rifle at the time was the Krag–Jørgensen.
  • Dutch van der Linde's father fought for the U.S. Army in the American Civil War but was killed in what is implied to be the Battle of Gettysburg.
  • U.S Army Soldiers in 1899 and 1907 appear to wear a wide variety of uniforms with some wearing the Blue M1898 Officer’s Field Service Blouse whilst others wear the M1884 Brown Duck Canvas tunic and others wear the tropical service M1898 Khaki Field Blouse with Blue or Yellow shoulder tabs signifying them to be part of the infantry or cavalry. Some soldiers wear the M1883 Campaign shirt instead of a blouse while others wear a non regulation blue chambray shirt.
  • A wide array of trousers are also used by U.S Army Soldiers in 1899 and 1907 with M1885 blue and M1898 khaki tropical service regulation trousers along with some non regulation khaki trousers. Some soldiers have black stripes of their trousers indicative of that of an non commissioned officer or officer but the color should be white, yellow, or red indicating which branch of the line or staff they were serving in.
  • The usage of the Montana Peak campaign hats in 1899 and 1907 is anachronistic as soldiers during that era would have worn the M1885 and subsequent derivatives pattern felt campaign hat. The Montana Peak design was not formally adopted until 1911.

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. While at Horseshoe Overlook Uncle can be seen reading a newspaper, and complaining about the declaration of war against the Philippines.
  2. Dialogue in the mission "Hell Pass": "Governor, you gotta call General Boden right away, sir!"
  3. Army General Praises Troops
  4. Prominent Americans Card General Cornelius Palmer
  5. Mentioned by Hayden Russell
  6. 6.0 6.1 Bill's Dishonorable Discharge
  7. President Waxman Hails Progress, Discusses Canal
  8. 8.0 8.1 Mentioned in the catalogue description of the Litchfield Repeater
  9. Name in a battle report document.
  10. Letter to Martin from Father
  11. Overheard conversation during "A Rage Unleashed"
  12. Stated by Hayden Russell

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