Continuity mistake: When the Union soldier is reading the note tipping them off about the caravan about to cross the river, he holds the paper with his left hand placed in an entirely different spot even with the cut between shots happening literally mid sentence. (00:31:40)
Continuity mistake: At the end of the movie, when John Wayne followed by the harmonica player is talking to Marian McCargo, her scarf goes from left to right or right to left depending on the angle of the shot. (01:56:00)
Continuity mistake: Mr. Thad Benedict is in front of the Langdon residence asking if the property is for sale. As the widow answers, the position of his hand on the coach turns around, and the natural light changes as well. (00:10:00)
Answer: Because as far as they were concerned the battle was not over, the South would rise again.