Lt. Dunbar (Costner) returns to his post after a long stay with the Sioux, to find that the post is being occupied by Union soldiers. They mistake him for a Sioux and shoot down his horse. As they take him away to have him killed, a bunch of the soldiers shoot Two Socks, and kill him. Wind in his Hair and a few other Sioux, catches up to them. They kill the soldiers and rescue Dunbar. Dunbar warns the tribe that he is now a target to the army, and that if they find him, they will surely wipe out the tribe also. Ten Bears believes him, but assures him that he doesn't exist as Lt. John Dunbar anymore, he is known as a Sioux warrior named Dances with Wolves. The soldiers closing in, find the abandoned camp of the Sioux, if not for Dunbar, they would've all been killed. Dunbar and Stands With a Fist (McDonnell) travel back to convince the white men to make peace with the Sioux.