Other mistake: The scene where Spirit is tied to the post at the army fort the length of rope is longer than in the scene a couple of minutes later. (00:26:50)
Other mistake: Fleeing with Little Creek from the fort, Spirit destroys small railing to free horses tied to it. But after the pole gets torn off, it leaves an empty space on the ground, without any hole or at least broken remains.
Answer: You don't have to have mutual respect to do what is right or just. Letting Spirit escape was the morally right thing for the Colonel to do.
raywest ★