8. Two Soldiers

In 1863, Confederate soldiers raid a Union camp, and Thor "The Swede" Gundersen, among others, is captured and taken to Andersonville Prison. The conditions there cause Thor's friend to start chewing on him. In an attempt to save himself, Thor drowns his friend in a mud puddle. Years later, The Swede finds his way to the Hatch farm, kills Naomi's father and sister, and stalks her and baby William into the woods. Cullen, though, is not far behind. However, The Swede shoots him in the leg and they struggle in a river.

Cullen has the opportunity to drown him but doesn't, after seeing him smile from underwater. Against Naomi's wishes, he takes him on a two-day journey to Fort Douglas, a military garrison, for trial. The perilous trek weakens Cullen, and the two men fight before reaching the fort. Cullen manages to shoot The Swede in the side and fire shots in the air to bring soldiers. Four days later, The Swede has been found guilty of the Hatch deaths and is scheduled to hang. He pleads instead for justice and forgiveness from Cullen but is led to his gallows death as Cullen watches.