1
00:00:01,835 --> 00:00:06,085
[ marching footsteps ]

2
00:00:06,089 --> 00:00:08,179
‐ [ officer shouts orders ]

3
00:00:08,175 --> 00:00:11,845
[ marching footsteps continue ]

4
00:00:11,845 --> 00:00:14,215
[ officers shout orders ]

5
00:00:14,223 --> 00:00:18,523
‐ Tell the two at the back
to pick up their pace.

6
00:00:18,519 --> 00:00:22,359
‐ At age 44, George Washington
has command of an army

7
00:00:22,356 --> 00:00:26,026
and some success as a general.

8
00:00:26,026 --> 00:00:28,736
He managed to outlast
the British in Boston,

9
00:00:28,737 --> 00:00:33,367
but the standoff ended
without a head‐to‐head battle.

10
00:00:33,367 --> 00:00:36,247
Now, more than a year
into the war,

11
00:00:36,245 --> 00:00:39,115
he's preparing
his still‐untested army

12
00:00:39,122 --> 00:00:41,832
to take on the enemy
in New York.

13
00:00:42,376 --> 00:00:44,546
‐ "I'm obliged to confess

14
00:00:44,545 --> 00:00:47,205
"my want of confidence
in the troops.

15
00:00:47,214 --> 00:00:49,724
"Till of late,
I had no doubt in my own mind

16
00:00:49,716 --> 00:00:51,966
"of defending this place,

17
00:00:51,969 --> 00:00:55,009
nor should I have yet
if the men would do their duty."

18
00:00:55,013 --> 00:00:56,723
‐ One.

19
00:00:56,723 --> 00:00:58,233
‐ [ screams ]

20
00:00:58,225 --> 00:00:59,725
‐ Two.

21
00:00:59,726 --> 00:01:00,886
[ whip strikes, man screams ]

22
00:01:00,894 --> 00:01:03,114
‐ Washington
is pretty determined

23
00:01:03,105 --> 00:01:08,065
that what he wants
is a disciplined army

24
00:01:08,068 --> 00:01:10,448
that can compete
with British regulars.

25
00:01:10,445 --> 00:01:13,365
He wants men
that are disciplined enough

26
00:01:13,365 --> 00:01:17,075
that they fear their officers
more than they fear the enemy.

27
00:01:17,077 --> 00:01:19,407
So Washington will have to
inflict the kind of discipline

28
00:01:19,413 --> 00:01:21,503
that he thinks is necessary.

29
00:01:21,498 --> 00:01:23,128
‐ Five.
‐ [ grunts ]

30
00:01:23,125 --> 00:01:24,915
‐ Six.
‐ [ grunts ]

31
00:01:24,918 --> 00:01:27,748
‐ You can paint his harshness
in harsh colors

32
00:01:27,754 --> 00:01:30,094
and make him look
to be almost tyrannical,

33
00:01:30,090 --> 00:01:31,470
but that's not quite there.

34
00:01:31,466 --> 00:01:34,636
‐ Six.
‐ [ grunts ]

35
00:01:34,636 --> 00:01:38,096
‐ Seven.
‐ [ man grunts ]

36
00:01:38,098 --> 00:01:40,268
‐ But his commitment
to discipline

37
00:01:40,267 --> 00:01:43,437
and to almost merciless
enforcement of that discipline

38
00:01:43,437 --> 00:01:45,937
is justified, necessary.

39
00:01:45,939 --> 00:01:48,279
[ whip strikes, man grunts ]

40
00:01:48,275 --> 00:01:50,435
‐ These guys are no match

41
00:01:50,444 --> 00:01:52,954
for a real professional
British force.

42
00:01:52,946 --> 00:02:00,696
♪♪♪

43
00:02:00,704 --> 00:02:03,044
‐ Let's take a step back here
and understand

44
00:02:03,040 --> 00:02:06,960
how insane the notion of a war
against the British was.

45
00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:11,010
They were one of the most
powerful military forces

46
00:02:11,006 --> 00:02:13,966
and naval forces in the world.

47
00:02:13,967 --> 00:02:15,887
America didn't have a Navy.

48
00:02:15,886 --> 00:02:18,216
It had a military
as of yesterday.

49
00:02:18,221 --> 00:02:21,931
They were underfunded.
They were under‐militarized,

50
00:02:21,933 --> 00:02:25,483
and Washington is just trying
to catch up.

51
00:02:25,479 --> 00:02:29,479
‐ The fundamental weakness
of the American government

52
00:02:29,483 --> 00:02:31,363
during
the American Revolutionary War

53
00:02:31,360 --> 00:02:33,820
is that there is
no real federal government.

54
00:02:33,820 --> 00:02:35,410
‐ Continental Congress
does not have

55
00:02:35,405 --> 00:02:37,195
a lot of power to get money.

56
00:02:37,199 --> 00:02:39,489
They could request funds
from the different colonies,

57
00:02:39,493 --> 00:02:42,373
but couldn't really demand.

58
00:02:42,371 --> 00:02:45,001
‐ Washington doesn't have funds

59
00:02:44,998 --> 00:02:47,668
for weapons, food,
and uniforms.

60
00:02:47,668 --> 00:02:49,998
And he's running out of time.

61
00:02:50,003 --> 00:02:53,173
♪♪♪

62
00:02:53,173 --> 00:02:56,183
‐ A massive armada
of British warships

63
00:02:56,176 --> 00:02:58,886
under orders
from King George III

64
00:02:58,887 --> 00:03:00,847
is on its way to the colonies

65
00:03:00,847 --> 00:03:04,347
to intimidate the rebels
into backing down.

66
00:03:04,351 --> 00:03:09,361
♪♪♪

67
00:03:09,356 --> 00:03:12,186
Commanding the British forces

68
00:03:12,192 --> 00:03:14,152
is General William Howe.

69
00:03:17,531 --> 00:03:20,661
‐ An empty glass is a terrible,
poor sight, is it not?

70
00:03:20,659 --> 00:03:23,039
[ laughter ]
‐ Yeah.

71
00:03:23,036 --> 00:03:27,036
‐ In any case, we shall arrive
in New York soon enough.

72
00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:30,040
There, we shall see
how deep these waters go.

73
00:03:30,043 --> 00:03:32,713
‐ The rebels have already had
a year to come to their senses.

74
00:03:32,712 --> 00:03:35,382
‐ All children go astray
from time to time.

75
00:03:35,382 --> 00:03:36,762
They always come back home.

76
00:03:36,758 --> 00:03:38,388
‐ Surely disloyalty
to the crown

77
00:03:38,385 --> 00:03:40,925
cannot go unpunished?

78
00:03:40,929 --> 00:03:43,929
‐ A line has been crossed,
most certainly.

79
00:03:45,434 --> 00:03:47,274
But I'm of the mind that it is

80
00:03:47,269 --> 00:03:50,109
preferable to educate
rather than punish.

81
00:03:50,105 --> 00:03:51,565
A little more, please?

82
00:03:51,565 --> 00:03:54,725
‐ William Howe
is a career military man

83
00:03:54,734 --> 00:03:57,954
with pro‐American sympathies.

84
00:03:57,946 --> 00:04:00,566
He actually had proclaimed
he would never go

85
00:04:00,574 --> 00:04:02,994
to command British troops
in America

86
00:04:02,993 --> 00:04:06,253
because he thought that
this war was wrong‐headed.

87
00:04:06,246 --> 00:04:08,536
‐ He changes his mind because

88
00:04:08,540 --> 00:04:10,830
he's given the opportunity
to be a peace commissioner

89
00:04:10,834 --> 00:04:12,844
as well as
the commanding general.

90
00:04:12,836 --> 00:04:16,586
You will go and you will fight
and deliver a few blows.

91
00:04:16,590 --> 00:04:19,300
You will be the person
to negotiate a diplomatic end

92
00:04:19,301 --> 00:04:22,221
to this unnecessary war.

93
00:04:22,220 --> 00:04:24,600
That's what Howe thinks
he's going to do.

94
00:04:24,598 --> 00:04:28,638
‐ Once the full force of the
empire has been brought to bear,

95
00:04:28,643 --> 00:04:30,773
they will see how hopeless
their position.

96
00:04:30,771 --> 00:04:33,271
‐ This Washington
is out of his depth,

97
00:04:33,273 --> 00:04:35,783
but I like to think
he is no fool.

98
00:04:35,776 --> 00:04:37,146
So...

99
00:04:40,447 --> 00:04:42,447
To Mr. Washington

100
00:04:42,449 --> 00:04:45,829
and choosing reason
of a revolution.

101
00:04:45,827 --> 00:04:47,117
Mr. Washington.

102
00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:48,790
‐ Mr. Washington.

103
00:04:48,789 --> 00:04:51,789
♪♪♪

104
00:04:51,792 --> 00:04:54,342
‐ The British
had this large empire,

105
00:04:54,336 --> 00:04:56,956
and to some degree
from the British perspective,

106
00:04:56,963 --> 00:04:59,133
there was a principle
that had to be upheld.

107
00:04:59,132 --> 00:05:02,142
If we let the Americans flout
the authority

108
00:05:02,135 --> 00:05:04,135
of the British government,

109
00:05:04,137 --> 00:05:06,387
then who's to prevent
other colonies

110
00:05:06,389 --> 00:05:07,969
from doing the same thing?

111
00:05:07,974 --> 00:05:10,394
And so, an example has
to be made of them.

112
00:05:10,393 --> 00:05:14,193
‐ By the summer of 1776,

113
00:05:14,189 --> 00:05:18,189
the two armies are poised for
a showdown over New York.

114
00:05:18,193 --> 00:05:20,993
A critical post
on the Hudson Corridor

115
00:05:20,987 --> 00:05:23,067
that connects the colonies.

116
00:05:23,073 --> 00:05:25,953
‐ New York was really the key
to North America.

117
00:05:25,951 --> 00:05:29,751
And whoever had control
of New York and the Hudson River

118
00:05:29,746 --> 00:05:32,826
had the potential to control
whatever would happened next.

119
00:05:32,833 --> 00:05:36,173
‐ Washington's been ordered
by Congress

120
00:05:36,169 --> 00:05:39,339
to defend in New York
at all costs,

121
00:05:39,339 --> 00:05:44,179
but the Continental Army
only has 121 cannons.

122
00:05:44,177 --> 00:05:46,717
That's fewer than
the arsenal onboard

123
00:05:46,721 --> 00:05:50,521
just two of the British warships
heading their way.

124
00:05:50,517 --> 00:05:52,557
♪♪♪

125
00:05:52,561 --> 00:05:55,651
While he doesn't have
the firepower,

126
00:05:55,647 --> 00:05:59,527
Washington does have a team
of eager patriot officers

127
00:05:59,526 --> 00:06:02,196
fighting by his side.

128
00:06:02,195 --> 00:06:05,655
‐ Washington was great
at spotting talent.

129
00:06:05,657 --> 00:06:07,777
He had no qualms about
going after young people

130
00:06:07,784 --> 00:06:10,334
who had not necessarily
established a reputation

131
00:06:10,328 --> 00:06:12,078
if they showed promise.

132
00:06:12,080 --> 00:06:14,540
‐ He learned the most important
thing you do as a leader

133
00:06:14,541 --> 00:06:18,421
is develop followers
and subordinate leaders

134
00:06:18,420 --> 00:06:20,550
who you can trust
and who trust you.

135
00:06:20,547 --> 00:06:26,847
‐ Among his advisers,
34‐year‐old Nathanael Greene.

136
00:06:26,845 --> 00:06:29,595
‐ Nathanael Greene was one
of his very, very favorites.

137
00:06:29,598 --> 00:06:32,808
He was actually a Quaker
from Rhode Island,

138
00:06:32,809 --> 00:06:35,599
but he was brilliant
and super ambitious

139
00:06:35,604 --> 00:06:38,444
and really understood
how Washington thought.

140
00:06:38,440 --> 00:06:40,480
♪♪♪

141
00:06:40,483 --> 00:06:42,653
‐ And alongside Greene,

142
00:06:42,652 --> 00:06:47,372
a 25‐year‐old bookseller‐
turned‐colonel, Henry Knox.

143
00:06:47,365 --> 00:06:48,905
‐ Henry Knox, very quickly,

144
00:06:48,909 --> 00:06:50,909
he became his head
of the artillery.

145
00:06:50,910 --> 00:06:53,540
He learned all about
cannons and ammunition,

146
00:06:53,538 --> 00:06:55,418
everything from reading

147
00:06:55,415 --> 00:06:57,075
and then talking
to British officers about them.

148
00:06:57,083 --> 00:07:00,053
‐ He was a bookseller by trade.
When Washington met him,

149
00:07:00,045 --> 00:07:03,045
he recognized someone
who was organized, intelligent,

150
00:07:03,048 --> 00:07:07,298
and affable in that way
you need to get things done.

151
00:07:07,302 --> 00:07:11,852
‐ With the British fleet
bearing down on New York...

152
00:07:11,848 --> 00:07:14,268
‐ The map, Billy.

153
00:07:14,267 --> 00:07:17,347
‐ Washington consults
the Council of War,

154
00:07:17,354 --> 00:07:21,484
his most trusted officers,
including Knox and Greene,

155
00:07:21,483 --> 00:07:24,193
to devise a defensive strategy.

156
00:07:26,112 --> 00:07:27,992
‐ Time is not on our side.

157
00:07:27,989 --> 00:07:30,329
‐ Yet we're faced
with the same issues.

158
00:07:30,325 --> 00:07:32,825
‐ No matter how thin
we stretch our artillery,

159
00:07:32,827 --> 00:07:36,367
there is simply not enough
to cover all the shoreline...

160
00:07:36,373 --> 00:07:38,793
and our insufficient crews
to man what we do have.

161
00:07:38,792 --> 00:07:42,382
Do I have permission
to speak freely, sir?

162
00:07:42,379 --> 00:07:43,839
‐ Of course.

163
00:07:43,838 --> 00:07:46,468
‐ The wise counsel
will be to withdraw.

164
00:07:49,719 --> 00:07:53,969
‐ I have often held
there is no honor in retreat.

165
00:07:53,973 --> 00:07:57,813
But even if that would not sell,
the world is watching.

166
00:07:57,811 --> 00:07:59,941
If we are to fight
for our independence,

167
00:07:59,938 --> 00:08:02,398
we must show them
we are worthy.

168
00:08:02,399 --> 00:08:04,149
‐ Then I suggest

169
00:08:04,150 --> 00:08:06,650
we aim to inflict
as much damage as possible.

170
00:08:08,697 --> 00:08:10,657
‐ Artillery...

171
00:08:10,657 --> 00:08:13,117
on either side
of the East River,

172
00:08:13,118 --> 00:08:15,198
creating a gauntlet
that they must travel through

173
00:08:15,203 --> 00:08:17,543
if they are to land.

174
00:08:17,539 --> 00:08:20,709
It is doubtful that
we will stop them completely.

175
00:08:20,709 --> 00:08:21,999
But we will certainly see them
bloody.

176
00:08:25,797 --> 00:08:27,337
‐ Are you all in agreement?

177
00:08:31,886 --> 00:08:34,096
Then begin preparations
and report back

178
00:08:34,097 --> 00:08:38,387
once the batteries are ready
to be inspected.

179
00:08:38,393 --> 00:08:44,693
♪♪♪

180
00:08:44,691 --> 00:08:47,861
‐ By July, the British
are no longer coming.

181
00:08:49,904 --> 00:08:52,034
They're here.

182
00:08:52,032 --> 00:08:53,282
‐ What is the count now?

183
00:08:53,283 --> 00:08:54,953
‐ It's 130.

184
00:08:54,951 --> 00:08:56,411
We're already dropping anchor
in the bay.

185
00:08:56,411 --> 00:09:09,721
♪♪♪

186
00:09:10,508 --> 00:09:12,178
♪♪♪

187
00:09:12,177 --> 00:09:15,057
‐ George Washington's finally
getting the attention

188
00:09:15,055 --> 00:09:17,885
he's long sought
from the British Empire.

189
00:09:17,891 --> 00:09:19,391
‐ My spyglass, Billy.

190
00:09:19,392 --> 00:09:23,522
♪♪♪

191
00:09:23,521 --> 00:09:27,901
‐ More than 100 warships
sent by King George III

192
00:09:27,901 --> 00:09:31,571
have arrived to stamp out
the colonist rebellion.

193
00:09:31,571 --> 00:09:35,031
‐ This is <i>the</i> largest naval
and military force

194
00:09:35,033 --> 00:09:37,453
ever assembled in the Americas.

195
00:09:37,452 --> 00:09:39,582
For any sensible person
looking out at that,

196
00:09:39,579 --> 00:09:42,369
you'd have to think,
"We're in a lot trouble here."

197
00:09:42,373 --> 00:09:44,253
‐ The next time anything
like that will happen

198
00:09:44,250 --> 00:09:47,380
is the American force going
the other way in World War I.

199
00:09:47,378 --> 00:09:49,378
Huge.

200
00:09:49,380 --> 00:09:51,090
‐ General Howe
certainly wishes us to know

201
00:09:51,091 --> 00:09:53,931
he has arrived.

202
00:09:53,927 --> 00:09:55,467
Inform the generals.

203
00:09:55,470 --> 00:09:57,390
We will meet
at top of the hour.

204
00:09:57,388 --> 00:09:59,718
‐ Yes, sir.

205
00:10:00,934 --> 00:10:05,064
‐ "Our cruel and unrelenting
enemy leaves us no choice

206
00:10:05,063 --> 00:10:07,773
"but a brave resistance.

207
00:10:07,774 --> 00:10:10,744
We have therefore to resolve
to conquer..."

208
00:10:12,445 --> 00:10:13,735
"...or die."

209
00:10:13,738 --> 00:10:17,618
♪♪♪

210
00:10:17,617 --> 00:10:21,157
‐ Washington and the Americans
are outgunned,

211
00:10:21,162 --> 00:10:24,042
but they have a weapon
the British don't‐‐

212
00:10:24,040 --> 00:10:25,750
a cause.

213
00:10:25,750 --> 00:10:29,090
‐ It's an amazing coincidence
that at the same time

214
00:10:29,087 --> 00:10:31,757
as the British are coming
into the New York Harbor,

215
00:10:31,756 --> 00:10:37,296
The Declaration of Independence
is passed by Congress.

216
00:10:37,303 --> 00:10:38,893
‐ It had taken just three weeks

217
00:10:38,888 --> 00:10:41,308
for a historic committee
of founding fathers,

218
00:10:41,307 --> 00:10:44,347
including Thomas Jefferson,
John Adams,

219
00:10:44,352 --> 00:10:47,482
and Benjamin Franklin,
to draft the document,

220
00:10:47,480 --> 00:10:50,780
which they hope will unite
all colonists

221
00:10:50,775 --> 00:10:53,145
behind a common cause.

222
00:10:53,153 --> 00:10:55,163
‐ When we learn about
the revolution in school,

223
00:10:55,155 --> 00:10:58,315
it's presented
as a rather clean‐cut story.

224
00:10:58,324 --> 00:11:00,664
All of America wanted to rebel.

225
00:11:00,660 --> 00:11:02,200
The British were the oppressor.

226
00:11:02,203 --> 00:11:03,873
‐ But it was by no means
unanimous

227
00:11:03,872 --> 00:11:05,462
that Americans thought,

228
00:11:05,456 --> 00:11:06,666
"Okay. Independence
is this great thing."

229
00:11:06,666 --> 00:11:10,496
‐ Within the colonies,
within families,

230
00:11:10,503 --> 00:11:11,803
there was division.

231
00:11:11,796 --> 00:11:13,546
There were loyalists
and patriots

232
00:11:13,548 --> 00:11:15,178
living in the same house.

233
00:11:15,175 --> 00:11:18,675
This was a civil war.

234
00:11:18,678 --> 00:11:22,678
‐ So in towns, in cities
around the colonies,

235
00:11:22,682 --> 00:11:24,522
people were meeting in groups

236
00:11:24,517 --> 00:11:26,847
and debating what they thought
about independence.

237
00:11:26,853 --> 00:11:29,733
Declaring independence
was a process, not an act.

238
00:11:31,191 --> 00:11:33,691
‐ The declaration made a case

239
00:11:33,693 --> 00:11:36,533
to the people on the fence
in America

240
00:11:36,529 --> 00:11:40,699
that this was a cause
worth betting on.

241
00:11:40,700 --> 00:11:43,910
And it gave the colonials,
the Yankees

242
00:11:43,912 --> 00:11:47,172
something to fight for
besides real estate.

243
00:11:47,165 --> 00:11:49,535
It was almost a letter
to investors.

244
00:11:49,542 --> 00:11:51,542
"Do you wanna invest
in this experiment?

245
00:11:51,544 --> 00:11:54,554
This is what we're about.
This is why we're doing it."

246
00:11:54,547 --> 00:11:57,257
‐ "And for the support
of this declaration..."

247
00:11:57,258 --> 00:11:58,888
‐ And so they were
very intentional

248
00:11:58,885 --> 00:12:01,295
about how they got out word.

249
00:12:01,304 --> 00:12:04,274
They sent it on ships
to all major ports.

250
00:12:04,265 --> 00:12:06,015
They printed copies of it.

251
00:12:06,017 --> 00:12:08,937
They published it.
They wanted it to spread.

252
00:12:08,937 --> 00:12:10,227
‐ And it's the kind of thing

253
00:12:10,230 --> 00:12:11,900
that would be a rallying
cry to people.

254
00:12:11,898 --> 00:12:13,518
And it was meant
to be read aloud.

255
00:12:13,524 --> 00:12:16,614
It has the ring of a‐‐
of a song in a way.

256
00:12:22,075 --> 00:12:25,035
‐ "When in the course
of human events,

257
00:12:25,036 --> 00:12:26,906
"it becomes necessary
for one people

258
00:12:26,913 --> 00:12:28,923
"to dissolve political bands

259
00:12:28,915 --> 00:12:32,245
"which have connected them
with another

260
00:12:32,252 --> 00:12:35,212
and to assume among the powers
of the earth..."

261
00:12:35,213 --> 00:12:38,423
♪♪♪

262
00:12:38,424 --> 00:12:41,594
"We hold these truths
to be self‐evident."

263
00:12:41,594 --> 00:12:44,224
‐ "That all men
are created equal."

264
00:12:44,222 --> 00:12:46,022
‐ "They are endowed
by their creator

265
00:12:46,015 --> 00:12:48,425
with certain
unalienable rights."

266
00:12:48,434 --> 00:12:53,944
‐ "But among these
are life, liberty,

267
00:12:53,940 --> 00:12:56,110
and the pursuit of happiness."

268
00:12:56,109 --> 00:12:57,779
‐ "That whenever
any form of government

269
00:12:57,777 --> 00:12:59,947
becomes destructive
of these ends..."

270
00:12:59,946 --> 00:13:04,486
‐ "It is the right of the people
to alter or to abolish it."

271
00:13:04,492 --> 00:13:08,452
‐ "And for the support
of this declaration,

272
00:13:08,454 --> 00:13:10,294
"with the firm reliance
on the protection

273
00:13:10,290 --> 00:13:12,420
"of divine providence,

274
00:13:12,417 --> 00:13:16,797
"we mutually pledge
to each other our lives,

275
00:13:16,796 --> 00:13:21,756
our fortunes...
and our sacred honor."

276
00:13:21,759 --> 00:13:24,929
♪♪♪

277
00:13:24,929 --> 00:13:26,639
‐ When you read the declaration,

278
00:13:26,639 --> 00:13:30,599
most people only remember
the first few paragraphs.

279
00:13:30,601 --> 00:13:33,811
No one else remembers that
it's really a list of charges

280
00:13:33,813 --> 00:13:35,653
against the British king.

281
00:13:35,648 --> 00:13:39,278
‐ "The history of the present
king of Great Britain

282
00:13:39,277 --> 00:13:42,947
"is a history of repeated
injuries and usurpations,

283
00:13:42,947 --> 00:13:47,697
"all having indirect object
the establishment

284
00:13:47,702 --> 00:13:52,832
of an absolute tyranny
over these states."

285
00:13:52,832 --> 00:13:55,632
♪♪♪

286
00:13:55,626 --> 00:13:58,546
Are you certain
this is authentic?

287
00:13:58,546 --> 00:14:01,006
‐ It has already been
distributed across the colonies.

288
00:14:01,007 --> 00:14:03,337
♪♪♪

289
00:14:03,342 --> 00:14:05,972
‐ Bloody fools.

290
00:14:05,970 --> 00:14:08,470
‐ The declaration
was an act of treason.

291
00:14:08,473 --> 00:14:10,853
It was primarily a document

292
00:14:10,850 --> 00:14:13,640
that was stating that
the United States of America

293
00:14:13,644 --> 00:14:15,024
was gonna be a new country.

294
00:14:15,021 --> 00:14:17,521
Jefferson lists
all of the grievances

295
00:14:17,523 --> 00:14:20,493
that have been collected
from the various colonies.

296
00:14:20,485 --> 00:14:22,145
So everybody is a part of it.

297
00:14:22,153 --> 00:14:24,863
These people could have been
tried for that

298
00:14:24,864 --> 00:14:27,034
and killed for that.

299
00:14:27,033 --> 00:14:28,333
‐ Time after time,

300
00:14:28,326 --> 00:14:29,696
I have given them
the opportunity

301
00:14:29,702 --> 00:14:32,292
to abandon this foolish cause.

302
00:14:35,208 --> 00:14:37,418
And now this.

303
00:14:42,381 --> 00:14:43,631
‐ Your orders, sir?

304
00:14:45,551 --> 00:14:47,391
‐ The American colonists
and the British Government

305
00:14:47,386 --> 00:14:50,766
could've met halfway
before July of 1776.

306
00:14:50,765 --> 00:14:53,055
But once independence
is declared,

307
00:14:53,059 --> 00:14:56,649
there is a kind of Rubicon
that has passed.

308
00:14:57,897 --> 00:14:59,897
‐ Sir, your orders?

309
00:14:59,899 --> 00:15:03,899
♪♪♪

310
00:15:05,279 --> 00:15:11,579
[ screaming and yelling ]

311
00:15:11,577 --> 00:15:13,447
♪♪♪

312
00:15:13,454 --> 00:15:15,924
‐ The colonies have declared
their independence...

313
00:15:15,915 --> 00:15:17,575
[ cannon fire ]

314
00:15:17,583 --> 00:15:20,843
♪♪♪

315
00:15:20,837 --> 00:15:23,587
‐ But if the Americans want
their freedom,

316
00:15:23,589 --> 00:15:25,759
they'll have to bleed for it.

317
00:15:25,758 --> 00:15:28,428
♪♪♪

318
00:15:29,262 --> 00:15:32,272
[ explosion ]

319
00:15:32,265 --> 00:15:34,925
‐ When the colonies
declare independence,

320
00:15:34,934 --> 00:15:37,564
Britain responds
with cannon fire.

321
00:15:40,606 --> 00:15:42,646
But these first shots
on New York

322
00:15:42,650 --> 00:15:45,610
are just a warning
of what's to come.

323
00:15:50,658 --> 00:15:54,248
‐ This is not the full fleet.
‐ No.

324
00:15:54,245 --> 00:15:56,455
They remain anchored
in the harbor as of now.

325
00:15:56,455 --> 00:15:58,665
‐ Then what are we facing?

326
00:15:58,666 --> 00:16:02,086
‐ It is two ships
moving north up the Hudson.

327
00:16:02,086 --> 00:16:03,916
‐ And our batteries?

328
00:16:03,921 --> 00:16:06,971
‐ They have opened fire but...

329
00:16:06,966 --> 00:16:09,636
we have so few cannons
as it is.

330
00:16:09,635 --> 00:16:13,215
And those that we do have are
failing to reach the warships.

331
00:16:13,222 --> 00:16:16,232
‐ So essentially,
we are defenseless.

332
00:16:16,225 --> 00:16:18,555
And not only have we been
made aware of that fact,

333
00:16:18,561 --> 00:16:20,611
but General Howe has as well.

334
00:16:21,731 --> 00:16:23,521
Casualties?

335
00:16:23,524 --> 00:16:25,824
‐ Confirmed so far.

336
00:16:25,818 --> 00:16:28,608
One of our cannons misfired
and exploded.

337
00:16:28,613 --> 00:16:29,913
We are still awaiting word

338
00:16:29,906 --> 00:16:31,276
from the other areas
of bombardment.

339
00:16:31,282 --> 00:16:35,662
♪♪♪

340
00:16:35,661 --> 00:16:37,461
‐ Send men to sweep
the streets.

341
00:16:37,455 --> 00:16:38,955
Check on the civilians.

342
00:16:38,956 --> 00:16:41,876
Make sure they steer clear
of the river.

343
00:16:41,876 --> 00:16:43,286
And, Colonel Knox...

344
00:16:43,294 --> 00:16:44,924
‐ Yes, sir?

345
00:16:44,921 --> 00:16:47,051
‐ I want to know where
those ships are heading.

346
00:16:47,048 --> 00:16:48,218
‐ Of course, sir.

347
00:16:50,009 --> 00:16:52,049
‐ Dismissed.
‐ Follow.

348
00:16:52,053 --> 00:17:03,983
♪♪♪

349
00:17:03,981 --> 00:17:06,651
‐ Howe doesn't want to destroy
Washington

350
00:17:06,651 --> 00:17:08,361
or the Continental Army.

351
00:17:08,361 --> 00:17:10,911
Howe wants to rough them up.

352
00:17:10,905 --> 00:17:14,275
Make them realize
they can't win.

353
00:17:14,283 --> 00:17:16,703
Make them decide on their own.

354
00:17:18,329 --> 00:17:21,039
This was a misguided venture.

355
00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:24,250
‐ In the days following
his show of force,

356
00:17:24,252 --> 00:17:26,052
General Howe makes two attempts

357
00:17:26,045 --> 00:17:28,875
to get Washington
to lay down arms,

358
00:17:28,881 --> 00:17:30,971
offering him a pardon
for his role

359
00:17:30,967 --> 00:17:34,597
in leading the rebellion
against the king.

360
00:17:34,595 --> 00:17:36,595
Both fail.

361
00:17:36,597 --> 00:17:38,427
‐ General Howe sends
an emissary.

362
00:17:38,432 --> 00:17:40,732
And he sends one letter.

363
00:17:40,726 --> 00:17:43,476
It's addressed informally‐‐
"Mr. Washington."

364
00:17:43,479 --> 00:17:46,019
He sends another letter,
again informally,

365
00:17:46,023 --> 00:17:49,073
"George Washington, Esquire,
et cetera."

366
00:17:49,068 --> 00:17:50,988
‐ Washington won't accept
the letter

367
00:17:50,987 --> 00:17:52,447
because he's
<i>General</i> Washington.

368
00:17:52,446 --> 00:17:54,366
That's his title.
You want to address him,

369
00:17:54,365 --> 00:17:55,825
you address him
as General Washington.

370
00:17:55,825 --> 00:17:58,075
And if you're not gonna
address him that way,

371
00:17:58,077 --> 00:17:59,497
he's not gonna engage
in that conversation.

372
00:17:59,495 --> 00:18:03,615
♪♪♪

373
00:18:03,624 --> 00:18:06,254
‐ Despite Washington's
two refuses,

374
00:18:06,252 --> 00:18:08,802
Howe reaches out again,

375
00:18:08,796 --> 00:18:11,546
this time,
sending his own adjutant

376
00:18:11,549 --> 00:18:15,389
with a third offer
for the rebel commander.

377
00:18:15,386 --> 00:18:17,806
‐ Welcome,
Lieutenant Colonel Patterson.

378
00:18:19,974 --> 00:18:22,024
‐ Mr. Washington.

379
00:18:22,018 --> 00:18:24,228
‐ General.

380
00:18:24,228 --> 00:18:26,858
‐ I bring another message
from General Howe.

381
00:18:26,856 --> 00:18:30,316
‐ And we are eager to hear
what he has to say.

382
00:18:30,318 --> 00:18:32,818
But I understand you've walked
here from the harbor.

383
00:18:32,820 --> 00:18:34,990
Perhaps you are thirsty.
We can offer water, ale?

384
00:18:34,989 --> 00:18:38,409
‐ I should prefer to deliver
this message and be on my way.

385
00:18:38,409 --> 00:18:39,909
‐ Of course.

386
00:18:53,466 --> 00:18:56,756
‐ Your words will suffice.

387
00:18:56,761 --> 00:19:01,221
‐ Well, the king has granted
General Howe considerable powers

388
00:19:01,223 --> 00:19:03,813
to come to some understanding
in this matter.

389
00:19:05,353 --> 00:19:07,563
Perhaps you have
a particular request

390
00:19:07,563 --> 00:19:11,403
you would like me to relay
to General Howe?

391
00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:13,610
‐ None.

392
00:19:13,611 --> 00:19:16,911
But please do feel free
to offer him my compliments.

393
00:19:16,906 --> 00:19:22,406
♪♪♪

394
00:19:22,411 --> 00:19:25,331
‐ Sir, if you will not even
have a discussion,

395
00:19:25,331 --> 00:19:28,501
it leaves us with little choice
on how to proceed.

396
00:19:28,501 --> 00:19:31,801
‐ If I understand
your implications,

397
00:19:31,796 --> 00:19:34,416
the crown has bestowed
upon General Howe

398
00:19:34,423 --> 00:19:37,053
the authority
to grant pardons.

399
00:19:37,051 --> 00:19:39,101
That is very good.

400
00:19:39,095 --> 00:19:42,175
But those who have committed
no fault...

401
00:19:42,181 --> 00:19:44,431
want no pardon.

402
00:19:44,433 --> 00:19:51,653
♪♪♪

403
00:19:51,649 --> 00:19:55,149
‐ And it seems we have
nothing further to discuss.

404
00:19:55,152 --> 00:19:58,162
‐ I wish you a pleasant return.

405
00:19:58,155 --> 00:20:01,025
And please, do give
General Howe my regards.

406
00:20:02,451 --> 00:20:03,411
‐ Good day.

407
00:20:14,004 --> 00:20:17,384
‐ Washington was very aware
of the fact

408
00:20:17,383 --> 00:20:19,763
that respect for him
was respect for the army,

409
00:20:19,760 --> 00:20:21,550
was respect for America.

410
00:20:21,554 --> 00:20:24,774
‐ He was establishing protocols
not just for himself,

411
00:20:24,765 --> 00:20:27,135
but for his army
and for his nation.

412
00:20:27,143 --> 00:20:30,193
‐ In this situation,
he is beyond brave.

413
00:20:30,187 --> 00:20:32,307
He's resonant.

414
00:20:32,314 --> 00:20:34,194
‐ Within weeks,
the king's fleet

415
00:20:34,191 --> 00:20:36,441
more than doubles
in strength.

416
00:20:36,444 --> 00:20:41,324
400 warships,
carrying 32,000 soldiers,

417
00:20:41,323 --> 00:20:44,033
outnumbered more than 2 to 1.

418
00:20:44,034 --> 00:20:46,374
Washington's challenge
is to figure out

419
00:20:46,370 --> 00:20:48,210
where Howe will strike.

420
00:20:49,498 --> 00:20:51,078
His solution‐‐

421
00:20:51,083 --> 00:20:53,423
split his forces
to meet the British,

422
00:20:53,419 --> 00:20:55,419
wherever they may land.

423
00:20:55,421 --> 00:20:59,341
‐ Washington needs to maintain
significant forces on Manhattan

424
00:20:59,341 --> 00:21:02,301
as well to establish
a defensive line

425
00:21:02,303 --> 00:21:06,103
on Gowanus Heights
on Long Island.

426
00:21:06,098 --> 00:21:08,678
‐ All reports continue
to indicate

427
00:21:08,684 --> 00:21:10,984
Howe is preparing
a major assault on Long Island.

428
00:21:12,646 --> 00:21:14,016
‐ And what
is your general opinion

429
00:21:14,023 --> 00:21:16,403
of our defenses, Colonel Knox?

430
00:21:16,400 --> 00:21:19,030
‐ I wish I could say
they were stronger.

431
00:21:19,028 --> 00:21:22,028
The New England men
have a few small cannons.

432
00:21:22,031 --> 00:21:24,531
We are lacking in heavy guns.

433
00:21:24,533 --> 00:21:26,873
Though I have had
not much time

434
00:21:26,869 --> 00:21:30,119
to study our fort position
at Gowanus Heights.

435
00:21:30,122 --> 00:21:32,292
Frankly, I'm concerned
we are ill prepared.

436
00:21:32,291 --> 00:21:34,251
‐ And our works?

437
00:21:34,251 --> 00:21:36,051
‐ We have made adjustments
on the river.

438
00:21:36,045 --> 00:21:40,005
But further inland,
it is a large area,

439
00:21:40,007 --> 00:21:41,217
hard to defend.

440
00:21:41,217 --> 00:21:45,967
♪♪♪

441
00:21:45,971 --> 00:21:50,021
‐ We will send General Greene
an additional 1,500 men.

442
00:21:50,017 --> 00:21:51,137
‐ 1,500?

443
00:21:53,062 --> 00:21:55,562
Yes, sir.

444
00:21:55,564 --> 00:21:58,694
‐ Would you be so kind
to give us a few moments?

445
00:21:58,692 --> 00:22:05,872
♪♪♪

446
00:22:05,866 --> 00:22:07,986
What is your concern,
Colonel Knox?

447
00:22:07,993 --> 00:22:10,793
Speak your mind.

448
00:22:10,788 --> 00:22:14,328
‐ I do not mean
to question your judgment, sir.

449
00:22:14,333 --> 00:22:18,003
But Howe could put 20,000 men
on Long Island, more.

450
00:22:18,003 --> 00:22:19,883
He could easily double
our numbers.

451
00:22:19,880 --> 00:22:22,260
‐ And yet, it appears
he still holds

452
00:22:22,258 --> 00:22:25,588
many thousands
of their army in reserve, why?

453
00:22:25,594 --> 00:22:28,814
To draw us
from our position here.

454
00:22:28,806 --> 00:22:31,676
‐ And if you are wrong?

455
00:22:31,684 --> 00:22:33,354
‐ Providence
will see us through.

456
00:22:34,728 --> 00:22:36,728
‐ I have no doubt it will, sir.

457
00:22:36,730 --> 00:22:38,690
‐ Good. Then go and tell

458
00:22:38,691 --> 00:22:40,531
the other officers
they may return.

459
00:22:46,615 --> 00:22:49,445
♪♪♪

460
00:22:49,451 --> 00:22:51,081
‐ Washington's
a little overconfident,

461
00:22:51,078 --> 00:22:52,618
given what he's up against.

462
00:22:52,621 --> 00:22:54,041
He's not looking out there
and saying,

463
00:22:54,039 --> 00:22:56,579
"I'm about to lose,
and this is suicide."

464
00:22:56,584 --> 00:22:59,594
He's thinking,
"I'll think of something.

465
00:22:59,587 --> 00:23:02,127
We'll work this out."

466
00:23:02,131 --> 00:23:05,011
‐ Washington's wanted
to prove his American army

467
00:23:05,009 --> 00:23:08,889
equal to the British
since the start of the war.

468
00:23:08,888 --> 00:23:11,268
Now he'll get his chance.

469
00:23:15,269 --> 00:23:18,149
♪♪♪

470
00:23:21,108 --> 00:23:24,278
[ explosions ]

471
00:23:24,278 --> 00:23:27,408
‐ In the first major battle
of the revolution,

472
00:23:27,406 --> 00:23:30,576
George Washington's army
is getting leveled.

473
00:23:32,912 --> 00:23:34,792
‐ Washington
was completely outgeneraled

474
00:23:34,788 --> 00:23:36,418
in the battle of Long Island.

475
00:23:36,415 --> 00:23:39,125
He did not organize
his armies efficiently.

476
00:23:39,126 --> 00:23:41,126
He divided it.

477
00:23:41,128 --> 00:23:42,548
‐ The name of the game

478
00:23:42,546 --> 00:23:44,586
is to never fight
unless you have

479
00:23:44,590 --> 00:23:46,470
superior numbers
or superior terrain.

480
00:23:46,467 --> 00:23:48,547
[ explosions ]

481
00:23:48,552 --> 00:23:51,182
And here,
in the first major battle,

482
00:23:51,180 --> 00:23:53,680
he's making a blunder.

483
00:23:53,682 --> 00:23:56,812
[ explosions ]

484
00:23:56,810 --> 00:24:00,150
‐ Washington loses nearly
one‐fifth of his army

485
00:24:00,147 --> 00:24:03,357
in two days of fighting.

486
00:24:03,359 --> 00:24:07,989
Now, what's left of his army
has been pushed west,

487
00:24:07,988 --> 00:24:11,368
flanked, and is now trapped
between the East River

488
00:24:11,367 --> 00:24:14,287
and the advancing enemy.

489
00:24:14,286 --> 00:24:17,496
As the sun sets
on the second day of battle,

490
00:24:17,498 --> 00:24:21,588
Washington is hours away
from annihilation.

491
00:24:21,585 --> 00:24:23,205
‐ If they captured him,

492
00:24:23,212 --> 00:24:24,762
they would have carried him,
back to England,

493
00:24:24,755 --> 00:24:26,465
they would have tried to‐‐
they would've hung him,

494
00:24:26,465 --> 00:24:27,675
and they would've corded him,

495
00:24:27,675 --> 00:24:29,295
and they put his head on
and spit

496
00:24:29,301 --> 00:24:32,141
that would've been there
for years.

497
00:24:32,137 --> 00:24:33,557
And that's all
you would remember

498
00:24:33,555 --> 00:24:36,225
about George Washington.

499
00:24:36,225 --> 00:24:40,895
♪♪♪

500
00:24:40,896 --> 00:24:42,686
‐ How far?

501
00:24:42,690 --> 00:24:44,980
‐ 600 yards,
perhaps a little less.

502
00:24:47,069 --> 00:24:49,409
Scouts say the British trenches
could reach us by morning.

503
00:24:49,405 --> 00:24:54,155
♪♪♪

504
00:24:54,159 --> 00:24:56,829
‐ His army could have been
destroyed relatively early

505
00:24:56,829 --> 00:24:58,789
when it was stranded
on Long Island.

506
00:25:00,582 --> 00:25:02,922
He knew...

507
00:25:02,918 --> 00:25:05,338
that he always had
to have a plan "B."

508
00:25:05,337 --> 00:25:08,047
And I think the, um...

509
00:25:08,048 --> 00:25:10,678
the early defeats he suffered

510
00:25:10,676 --> 00:25:13,386
in the French and Indian War...

511
00:25:13,387 --> 00:25:15,007
contributed to that.

512
00:25:15,014 --> 00:25:18,524
♪♪♪

513
00:25:18,517 --> 00:25:21,347
‐ It's time.
‐ Yes, sir.

514
00:25:21,353 --> 00:25:25,273
♪♪♪

515
00:25:25,274 --> 00:25:28,404
‐ Washington sets in motion
in audacious escape

516
00:25:28,402 --> 00:25:31,862
from the western edge
of Long Island.

517
00:25:31,864 --> 00:25:35,374
His plan employs
a revolving fleet of row boats

518
00:25:35,367 --> 00:25:37,447
to ferry thousands of troops

519
00:25:37,453 --> 00:25:41,373
nonstop across
the mile‐wide East River.

520
00:25:41,373 --> 00:25:44,083
♪♪♪

521
00:25:44,084 --> 00:25:46,344
‐ This is
an extraordinary challenge.

522
00:25:46,336 --> 00:25:48,586
How do you move an army

523
00:25:48,589 --> 00:25:51,589
across the river
in the middle of the night

524
00:25:51,592 --> 00:25:56,012
under the threat
of British guns the entire time?

525
00:25:56,013 --> 00:25:59,273
‐ Everything has to work.
The weather has to be right.

526
00:25:59,266 --> 00:26:01,726
The fog has to come in
at the right time.

527
00:26:01,727 --> 00:26:04,397
The river currents
have to be right.

528
00:26:04,396 --> 00:26:07,146
‐ He's got to muffle
all the wheels.

529
00:26:07,149 --> 00:26:09,399
He's got to keep
the men quiet.

530
00:26:09,401 --> 00:26:13,111
You've got to pack up silently
and move out.

531
00:26:13,113 --> 00:26:17,033
♪♪♪

532
00:26:17,034 --> 00:26:20,624
‐ To deceive the enemy
and conceal his retreat,

533
00:26:20,621 --> 00:26:24,251
Washington uses
some clever trickery.

534
00:26:24,249 --> 00:26:26,289
‐ They manage to fool
the British

535
00:26:26,293 --> 00:26:29,053
by creating an impression

536
00:26:29,046 --> 00:26:32,126
that they have not evacuated
from their encampment.

537
00:26:32,132 --> 00:26:39,102
♪♪♪

538
00:26:39,098 --> 00:26:41,428
‐ Washington
keeps the campfires burning

539
00:26:41,433 --> 00:26:43,643
along the edges
of his parameter.

540
00:26:43,644 --> 00:26:46,364
He orders troops
from time to time

541
00:26:46,355 --> 00:26:48,015
to fire off their muskets.

542
00:26:48,023 --> 00:26:49,983
[ gunfire ]

543
00:26:49,983 --> 00:26:52,573
‐ All the while,
small numbers of boats

544
00:26:52,569 --> 00:26:53,989
are rowing back and forth.

545
00:26:53,987 --> 00:26:57,027
♪♪♪

546
00:26:57,032 --> 00:27:00,122
‐ Washington was
an unconventional commander.

547
00:27:00,119 --> 00:27:03,209
He enjoyed
the sneaky parts of war,

548
00:27:03,205 --> 00:27:05,705
of surprising the enemy,

549
00:27:05,707 --> 00:27:08,457
convincing the enemy
you're going to do one thing

550
00:27:08,460 --> 00:27:11,510
when you're actually
doing the other.

551
00:27:11,505 --> 00:27:15,005
‐ And as the last man
steps onboard the boat,

552
00:27:15,008 --> 00:27:17,008
Washington
can hardly believe his luck.

553
00:27:17,010 --> 00:27:18,930
♪♪♪

554
00:27:18,929 --> 00:27:21,309
The British haven't detected
what's happening.

555
00:27:21,306 --> 00:27:24,476
‐ This way, sir.
‐ He's made his escape.

556
00:27:24,476 --> 00:27:26,476
It's one of the most
brilliant withdrawals

557
00:27:26,478 --> 00:27:28,228
in the history of warfare.

558
00:27:30,482 --> 00:27:32,282
‐ It wasn't so much
running away in fear

559
00:27:32,276 --> 00:27:35,736
as it was surviving
to fight another day.

560
00:27:35,737 --> 00:27:39,987
So I think he really
was using retreat as a strategy.

561
00:27:39,992 --> 00:27:42,042
‐ But I kind of think of this
as the American Dunkirk.

562
00:27:42,035 --> 00:27:45,365
It's this moment
where you save the army

563
00:27:45,372 --> 00:27:48,082
to fight again, and it really is
one of Washington's

564
00:27:48,083 --> 00:27:50,753
great tactical victories
early on in the war.

565
00:27:50,752 --> 00:27:52,592
♪♪♪

566
00:27:52,588 --> 00:27:55,468
‐ But Washington's army
has escaped one island,

567
00:27:55,465 --> 00:27:58,715
only to be vulnerable
on another.

568
00:27:58,719 --> 00:28:01,509
As his troops
eventually make their way north

569
00:28:01,513 --> 00:28:03,393
to get off Manhattan,

570
00:28:03,390 --> 00:28:05,890
13,000 enemy fighters invade,

571
00:28:05,893 --> 00:28:10,523
overwhelming the men
guarding Washington's retreat.

572
00:28:10,522 --> 00:28:12,022
♪♪♪

573
00:28:12,024 --> 00:28:14,404
They flee and panic.

574
00:28:14,401 --> 00:28:23,201
♪♪♪

575
00:28:23,201 --> 00:28:25,081
‐ When Washington gets word,

576
00:28:25,078 --> 00:28:28,208
he pivots
and moves toward the battle.

577
00:28:28,206 --> 00:28:34,456
♪♪♪

578
00:28:34,463 --> 00:28:37,723
‐ Washington thinks that
if somebody decides to attack,

579
00:28:37,716 --> 00:28:40,506
it's like a challenge to do.

580
00:28:40,510 --> 00:28:42,800
You cannot say no.

581
00:28:42,804 --> 00:28:44,814
You cannot say,
"I don't wanna do that"

582
00:28:44,806 --> 00:28:46,596
without losing honor.

583
00:28:46,600 --> 00:28:48,770
♪♪♪

584
00:28:48,769 --> 00:28:50,599
‐ Halt!

585
00:28:50,604 --> 00:28:51,564
[ horse whinnies ]

586
00:28:51,563 --> 00:28:58,493
[ men yelling in distance ]

587
00:28:58,487 --> 00:28:59,987
‐ Stay back!

588
00:28:59,988 --> 00:29:01,658
Turn them around!

589
00:29:01,657 --> 00:29:03,407
Stop the running!

590
00:29:03,408 --> 00:29:05,488
‐ Washington
saw his worst nightmare

591
00:29:05,494 --> 00:29:07,504
being enacted in front of him.

592
00:29:07,496 --> 00:29:09,246
‐ Stay back!

593
00:29:09,247 --> 00:29:11,167
‐ His men fleeing‐‐

594
00:29:11,166 --> 00:29:14,586
there's not even
a sign of resistance.

595
00:29:14,586 --> 00:29:16,456
‐ Get back, you coward!

596
00:29:16,463 --> 00:29:18,923
‐ [ shouting indistinctly ]

597
00:29:18,924 --> 00:29:20,804
‐ He had lost control
of his men.

598
00:29:20,801 --> 00:29:22,511
He lost control of himself.

599
00:29:22,511 --> 00:29:25,471
‐ About face! Turn around!

600
00:29:25,472 --> 00:29:27,812
Turn around, you coward!

601
00:29:27,808 --> 00:29:29,018
Just stay!

602
00:29:29,017 --> 00:29:30,687
Stay, you coward!

603
00:29:30,686 --> 00:29:32,096
‐ [ man shouts indistinctly ]

604
00:29:32,104 --> 00:29:33,774
‐ Stay back!

605
00:29:33,772 --> 00:29:35,152
Hold on!

606
00:29:35,148 --> 00:29:36,728
Stay where you are!

607
00:29:36,733 --> 00:29:39,073
‐ He had a volcanic temper

608
00:29:39,069 --> 00:29:42,279
and worked mightily
to constrain it.

609
00:29:42,280 --> 00:29:43,910
It would occasionally come out,

610
00:29:43,907 --> 00:29:46,447
and by all accounts,
it was a terrible thing

611
00:29:46,451 --> 00:29:48,291
to be on the receiving end
of it.

612
00:29:48,286 --> 00:29:49,656
‐ Damn you!

613
00:29:49,663 --> 00:29:51,873
‐ Sir! Sir, sir!

614
00:29:51,873 --> 00:29:53,963
‐ Stop that running!
‐ Sir!

615
00:29:53,959 --> 00:29:55,629
‐ Let go.
‐ Sir.

616
00:29:55,627 --> 00:29:56,957
Please, sir.
‐ Let go of me!

617
00:29:56,962 --> 00:29:59,972
‐ Sir, please!
‐ Let go!

618
00:30:02,634 --> 00:30:05,054
Are these the men
we command to defend America?

619
00:30:05,053 --> 00:30:09,603
[ men shouting indistinctly ]

620
00:30:09,599 --> 00:30:11,809
‐ [ panting ]

621
00:30:11,810 --> 00:30:13,900
‐ Gilbert Stuart,
the painter, said,

622
00:30:13,895 --> 00:30:16,305
"If you looked at
George Washington's eyes,

623
00:30:16,314 --> 00:30:18,194
"you realized
that he could have been

624
00:30:18,191 --> 00:30:21,071
the fiercest savage
in the forest."

625
00:30:21,069 --> 00:30:23,819
‐ [ panting ]

626
00:30:23,822 --> 00:30:25,702
‐ Sir.

627
00:30:25,699 --> 00:30:28,619
‐ [ continues panting ]
Very well!

628
00:30:28,618 --> 00:30:30,698
[ gunfire in distance ]

629
00:30:30,704 --> 00:30:31,834
Fall back.

630
00:30:33,915 --> 00:30:35,205
‐ Fall back!

631
00:30:35,208 --> 00:30:36,998
Fall back!

632
00:30:37,002 --> 00:30:39,462
Fall back! Fall back!

633
00:30:42,257 --> 00:30:44,257
‐ Fall back!

634
00:30:44,259 --> 00:30:46,599
[ marching footsteps ]

635
00:30:46,595 --> 00:30:50,385
‐ Within weeks, the British
will take New York City.

636
00:30:50,390 --> 00:30:52,520
♪♪♪

637
00:30:52,517 --> 00:30:55,727
‐ The loss of New York
was catastrophic.

638
00:30:55,729 --> 00:30:57,479
This is rock‐bottom
for Washington.

639
00:30:57,481 --> 00:30:59,731
This is rock‐bottom
for the country.

640
00:30:59,733 --> 00:31:02,113
This rebellion
is threatening

641
00:31:02,110 --> 00:31:05,740
to turn into a total defeat
for the Americans.

642
00:31:05,739 --> 00:31:10,199
♪♪♪

643
00:31:10,202 --> 00:31:22,132
♪♪♪

644
00:31:22,130 --> 00:31:25,050
‐ After losing New York City
to the British,

645
00:31:25,050 --> 00:31:27,970
George Washington
and the Continental Army

646
00:31:27,969 --> 00:31:29,549
are on the run.

647
00:31:29,554 --> 00:31:32,064
♪♪♪

648
00:31:32,057 --> 00:31:34,427
‐ "I am wearied almost to death

649
00:31:34,434 --> 00:31:37,564
"with the retrograde motion
of things.

650
00:31:37,562 --> 00:31:39,732
"It is impossible
to conduct matters

651
00:31:39,731 --> 00:31:42,361
agreeably
to public expectation."

652
00:31:43,902 --> 00:31:46,242
‐ After the New York campaign,

653
00:31:46,238 --> 00:31:49,158
Washington fell
into a pretty deep depression.

654
00:31:49,157 --> 00:31:52,617
He was deeply insecure
that this was going to work

655
00:31:52,619 --> 00:31:54,619
and that he was going
to be able to win.

656
00:31:54,621 --> 00:31:55,791
‐ Water, sir?

657
00:31:55,789 --> 00:32:00,089
♪♪♪

658
00:32:00,085 --> 00:32:02,745
‐ Sir?

659
00:32:02,754 --> 00:32:04,054
‐ No, Billy.
[ horse whinnies ]

660
00:32:04,047 --> 00:32:05,667
‐ Sir.

661
00:32:05,674 --> 00:32:09,144
‐ Washington basically said,
"I would quit if I could,

662
00:32:09,136 --> 00:32:12,466
but people say there's no one
to take my place."

663
00:32:12,472 --> 00:32:16,272
So we know Washington
was at rock‐bottom.

664
00:32:16,268 --> 00:32:18,598
Did he really have it
to continue on?

665
00:32:18,603 --> 00:32:19,693
♪♪♪

666
00:32:19,688 --> 00:32:20,768
[ animal howls ]

667
00:32:20,772 --> 00:32:22,442
‐ Fearing the worst,

668
00:32:22,440 --> 00:32:25,280
Washington writes home
to Mount Vernon

669
00:32:25,277 --> 00:32:28,777
with instructions and a warning.

670
00:32:28,780 --> 00:32:30,820
‐ "I say in confidence to you

671
00:32:30,824 --> 00:32:33,664
"that I would look forward
to unfavorable events

672
00:32:33,660 --> 00:32:35,620
"and prepare accordingly
in such a manner

673
00:32:35,620 --> 00:32:38,960
"as to give no alarm
or suspicion to anyone.

674
00:32:38,957 --> 00:32:40,997
"Have my papers
in such a situation

675
00:32:41,001 --> 00:32:43,301
"that has to remove
at a short notice

676
00:32:43,295 --> 00:32:46,795
in case an enemy's fleet
shall come up the river."

677
00:32:46,798 --> 00:32:51,468
♪♪♪

678
00:32:51,469 --> 00:32:52,509
[ blusters ]

679
00:32:52,512 --> 00:32:58,772
♪♪♪

680
00:32:58,768 --> 00:33:02,228
‐ Almost everyone
is in despair.

681
00:33:02,230 --> 00:33:04,860
The morale of the soldiers
was pretty bad.

682
00:33:04,858 --> 00:33:06,858
The morale
of the civilian population‐‐

683
00:33:06,860 --> 00:33:09,150
even worse.

684
00:33:09,154 --> 00:33:10,664
They're trying to figure out,

685
00:33:10,655 --> 00:33:14,235
"How can I get myself
out of harm's way?

686
00:33:14,242 --> 00:33:17,452
How can I surrender
to the British?"

687
00:33:17,454 --> 00:33:20,254
‐ With the revolution
hanging by a thread,

688
00:33:20,248 --> 00:33:23,248
General Howe
offers a pardon to any patriot

689
00:33:23,251 --> 00:33:24,711
who will abandon the cause

690
00:33:24,711 --> 00:33:26,501
and swear allegiance
to the king.

691
00:33:28,715 --> 00:33:30,675
‐ A thousand people
signed a petition

692
00:33:30,675 --> 00:33:32,465
repudiating
the Declaration of Independence,

693
00:33:32,469 --> 00:33:33,799
including one guy
that was a signer

694
00:33:33,803 --> 00:33:35,353
on the Declaration
of Independence.

695
00:33:35,347 --> 00:33:38,677
So you could see the will
of the American public

696
00:33:38,683 --> 00:33:40,023
beginning to break here.

697
00:33:40,018 --> 00:33:43,558
♪♪♪

698
00:33:43,563 --> 00:33:46,523
‐ Washington was also beginning
to lose his army.

699
00:33:46,524 --> 00:33:49,364
His army
was evaporating around him.

700
00:33:49,361 --> 00:33:51,201
‐ And it's about half
of the size

701
00:33:51,196 --> 00:33:55,026
of what it had been
in the summer.

702
00:33:55,033 --> 00:33:57,453
So many men
have either been captured,

703
00:33:57,452 --> 00:34:01,042
or they have just left
to go home.

704
00:34:01,039 --> 00:34:03,379
‐ This was
the ultimate humiliation,

705
00:34:03,375 --> 00:34:06,535
his army abandoning him.

706
00:34:06,544 --> 00:34:08,884
‐ Tricky thing
about a citizen army

707
00:34:08,880 --> 00:34:11,130
is that these soldiers,
continental soldiers,

708
00:34:11,132 --> 00:34:12,932
some of them signed on
for a limited term.

709
00:34:12,926 --> 00:34:15,716
"I will be here for a year,
maybe two.

710
00:34:15,720 --> 00:34:17,260
"And then my term will be up
and I'll go home,

711
00:34:17,264 --> 00:34:18,894
go back to my farm."

712
00:34:18,890 --> 00:34:20,600
♪♪♪

713
00:34:20,600 --> 00:34:22,730
‐ By December, Washington's army

714
00:34:22,727 --> 00:34:25,227
is just weeks away
from total collapse.

715
00:34:25,230 --> 00:34:27,650
At midnight on January 1st,

716
00:34:27,649 --> 00:34:30,239
enlistments
for nearly all of his roughly

717
00:34:30,235 --> 00:34:34,065
6,000 remaining soldiers
will expire.

718
00:34:34,072 --> 00:34:36,282
Washington believes General Howe

719
00:34:36,283 --> 00:34:40,623
is waiting until then
to make his move.

720
00:34:40,620 --> 00:34:42,080
♪♪♪

721
00:34:42,080 --> 00:34:44,580
‐ "We have been pushed
through the Jerseys.

722
00:34:44,582 --> 00:34:46,172
"General Howe is now

723
00:34:46,167 --> 00:34:48,837
"on the other side
of the Delaware,

724
00:34:48,837 --> 00:34:50,757
"and beyond all question,

725
00:34:50,755 --> 00:34:55,545
"means, if possible, to possess
himself of Philadelphia.

726
00:34:55,552 --> 00:34:57,432
"You know
the fatal consequences

727
00:34:57,429 --> 00:35:00,099
that must attend its loss."

728
00:35:00,098 --> 00:35:03,688
‐ As the British begin to move
in December 1776

729
00:35:03,685 --> 00:35:05,645
toward the Delaware River,

730
00:35:05,645 --> 00:35:08,265
he knows he's going to need
to find some way

731
00:35:08,273 --> 00:35:09,983
to convince
these few thousand troops

732
00:35:09,983 --> 00:35:13,453
that he has left
to stay in the field.

733
00:35:13,445 --> 00:35:15,815
But words are not
going to be enough

734
00:35:15,822 --> 00:35:17,322
to make that happen.

735
00:35:17,324 --> 00:35:21,624
‐ It's quite amazing how
he just kept going.

736
00:35:21,620 --> 00:35:23,460
And he was very good at
figuring out,

737
00:35:23,455 --> 00:35:26,325
after early defeats,

738
00:35:26,333 --> 00:35:28,843
what would produce
the most positive result.

739
00:35:28,835 --> 00:35:30,705
‐ If we can do something
that's very visible

740
00:35:30,712 --> 00:35:32,172
and very symbolic,

741
00:35:32,172 --> 00:35:34,302
we might change
the mood of the people

742
00:35:34,299 --> 00:35:39,549
and we might find young men
returning to our ranks,

743
00:35:39,554 --> 00:35:40,814
but time is short.

744
00:35:45,310 --> 00:35:47,150
‐ If we settle down for winter
in our current position,

745
00:35:47,145 --> 00:35:48,805
the cause is lost.

746
00:35:48,813 --> 00:35:50,653
‐ And these are not ideal
conditions for fighting.

747
00:35:50,649 --> 00:35:53,939
‐ What other alternative
do we have?

748
00:35:53,943 --> 00:35:56,743
We cannot expect men
to enlist in an army

749
00:35:56,738 --> 00:36:01,408
that is constantly on the run,
that has been beaten.

750
00:36:01,409 --> 00:36:02,949
If we are to have any hope,

751
00:36:02,952 --> 00:36:05,162
we must give them something
to fight for,

752
00:36:05,163 --> 00:36:07,333
something inspiring.

753
00:36:07,332 --> 00:36:08,582
‐ You have the right of it, sir.

754
00:36:10,835 --> 00:36:12,995
‐ Then we are left
with no other option,

755
00:36:13,004 --> 00:36:14,464
we must go on the offensive.

756
00:36:16,341 --> 00:36:19,221
‐ I, too, have grown weary
of retreat.

757
00:36:19,219 --> 00:36:22,679
‐ There are a great many risks.

758
00:36:22,681 --> 00:36:25,731
‐ And we will plan for them...

759
00:36:25,725 --> 00:36:28,435
overcome them.

760
00:36:28,436 --> 00:36:31,056
The men have great faith
in you, sir,

761
00:36:31,064 --> 00:36:32,984
as do I.

762
00:36:32,982 --> 00:36:35,492
‐ Thank you, Colonel Knox.

763
00:36:35,485 --> 00:36:38,355
Henry.

764
00:36:38,363 --> 00:36:41,203
‐ Then,
the only question is where?

765
00:36:41,199 --> 00:36:44,699
♪♪♪

766
00:36:44,703 --> 00:36:48,623
‐ Just X miles from Washington's
Bucks County headquarters,

767
00:36:48,623 --> 00:36:50,383
Trenton, New Jersey, is now

768
00:36:50,375 --> 00:36:53,285
General Howe's
southernmost outpost,

769
00:36:53,294 --> 00:36:58,884
a garrison manned by some
15,000 Hessian mercenaries.

770
00:36:58,883 --> 00:37:00,683
‐ The Hessians
were professional soldiers

771
00:37:00,677 --> 00:37:02,597
from Germany
that the British government

772
00:37:02,595 --> 00:37:04,595
had hired to augment their army.

773
00:37:04,597 --> 00:37:06,427
They were pros.

774
00:37:06,433 --> 00:37:08,733
They're some of the most feared
warriors on earth.

775
00:37:08,727 --> 00:37:12,057
‐ Washington prepares
a daring attack plan,

776
00:37:12,063 --> 00:37:15,403
a nighttime crossing
of the Delaware.

777
00:37:15,400 --> 00:37:18,240
The army is to move in
three columns,

778
00:37:18,236 --> 00:37:19,946
one is a diversion,

779
00:37:19,946 --> 00:37:22,906
another to block
the enemies' escape route,

780
00:37:22,907 --> 00:37:24,737
and finally, a third,

781
00:37:24,743 --> 00:37:29,373
under Washington's command
to march on Trenton.

782
00:37:29,372 --> 00:37:31,292
‐ Did they get the map?

783
00:37:31,291 --> 00:37:33,251
‐ Some of the generals.

784
00:37:34,794 --> 00:37:36,764
‐ He wasn't ready

785
00:37:36,755 --> 00:37:39,965
to surrender the cause
at that point.

786
00:37:39,966 --> 00:37:43,006
It might have been
the rational thing to do,

787
00:37:43,011 --> 00:37:47,521
but history is made
by people occasionally

788
00:37:47,515 --> 00:37:51,975
making irrational decisions
in the pressure

789
00:37:51,978 --> 00:37:54,478
and amid the perils
of the given moment.

790
00:37:54,481 --> 00:37:56,731
‐ "Christmas day at night.

791
00:37:56,733 --> 00:37:59,613
"One hour before day
is the time fixed upon

792
00:37:59,611 --> 00:38:02,031
"for our attempt on Trenton.

793
00:38:02,030 --> 00:38:04,490
"For heaven's sake,
keep this to yourself,

794
00:38:04,491 --> 00:38:08,661
as the discovery of it
may prove fatal to us."

795
00:38:08,661 --> 00:38:11,621
‐ You really have two choices‐‐

796
00:38:11,623 --> 00:38:14,463
you either proceed,

797
00:38:14,459 --> 00:38:17,129
or the entire enterprise
collapses.

798
00:38:17,128 --> 00:38:22,968
♪♪♪

799
00:38:23,802 --> 00:38:25,932
♪♪♪

800
00:38:25,929 --> 00:38:39,779
[ wind whistling ]

801
00:38:39,776 --> 00:38:43,906
[ boat creaking ]

802
00:38:43,905 --> 00:38:48,945
♪♪♪

803
00:38:48,952 --> 00:38:50,752
‐ General George Washington

804
00:38:50,745 --> 00:38:53,155
and his battered
Continental Army

805
00:38:53,164 --> 00:38:57,844
are attempting the most
audacious operation of the war.

806
00:38:57,836 --> 00:39:00,256
If Washington's mission fails,

807
00:39:00,255 --> 00:39:03,795
this could be the last night
of the revolution.

808
00:39:12,267 --> 00:39:15,057
‐ The weather is the worst
it can possibly be.

809
00:39:15,061 --> 00:39:17,111
It's a hurricane in December.

810
00:39:17,105 --> 00:39:24,525
♪♪♪

811
00:39:24,529 --> 00:39:28,739
‐ The troops are still wearing
their summer uniforms.

812
00:39:28,741 --> 00:39:31,621
Many of them are barefoot‐‐
literally barefoot,

813
00:39:31,619 --> 00:39:33,579
their clothes in rags.

814
00:39:33,580 --> 00:39:37,540
♪♪♪

815
00:39:37,542 --> 00:39:39,132
‐ A lot of the soldiers

816
00:39:39,127 --> 00:39:41,247
didn't actually know
how to swim,

817
00:39:41,254 --> 00:39:43,304
and the water
was incredibly cold.

818
00:39:43,298 --> 00:39:45,968
♪♪♪

819
00:39:45,967 --> 00:39:48,217
‐ This is a nation.
This is the people

820
00:39:48,219 --> 00:39:50,309
at their worst possible point,

821
00:39:50,305 --> 00:39:52,885
pushing on
in the desperate hope

822
00:39:52,891 --> 00:39:54,431
that they can turn
this thing around.

823
00:39:54,434 --> 00:40:04,494
♪♪♪

824
00:40:04,485 --> 00:40:26,295
♪♪♪

825
00:40:26,299 --> 00:40:30,179
‐ These are the times
that tried men's souls.

826
00:40:30,178 --> 00:40:33,768
‐ To rally his man
for the treacherous crossing,

827
00:40:33,765 --> 00:40:35,975
Washington ordered his officers

828
00:40:35,975 --> 00:40:38,555
to read aloud
their revolutionary words

829
00:40:38,561 --> 00:40:43,781
of Thomas Paine
published just days before.

830
00:40:43,775 --> 00:40:46,855
‐ "The summer soldier
and the sunshine patriot

831
00:40:46,861 --> 00:40:48,781
"will, in this crisis,

832
00:40:48,780 --> 00:40:52,080
"shrink from the service
of his country.

833
00:40:52,075 --> 00:40:54,985
"But he that stands it now

834
00:40:54,994 --> 00:41:01,134
deserves the love and thanks
of man and woman."

835
00:41:01,125 --> 00:41:02,995
‐ It was really
a smart thing to do

836
00:41:03,002 --> 00:41:05,462
because he knew he had
to get to the other side.

837
00:41:05,463 --> 00:41:08,093
He was secure enough
to know that Thomas Paine

838
00:41:08,091 --> 00:41:11,971
was a better speaker
and a more passionate crafter

839
00:41:11,970 --> 00:41:13,510
of the English language.

840
00:41:13,513 --> 00:41:15,313
Paine will get 'em
so fired up,

841
00:41:15,306 --> 00:41:16,636
they'll walk across
the Delaware.

842
00:41:16,641 --> 00:41:18,141
They won't even need a boat.

843
00:41:20,269 --> 00:41:22,399
‐ Men, prepare to unload!

844
00:41:22,397 --> 00:41:24,477
♪♪♪

845
00:41:24,482 --> 00:41:26,692
‐ Once they get
across the river,

846
00:41:26,693 --> 00:41:28,533
the clock is ticking.

847
00:41:28,528 --> 00:41:36,198
♪♪♪

848
00:41:36,202 --> 00:41:38,542
‐ It took us longer
than we expected.

849
00:41:38,538 --> 00:41:41,038
‐ This will be a miracle
none of our boats capsized.

850
00:41:41,040 --> 00:41:44,420
‐ Have we lost any cannons?
‐ None.

851
00:41:44,419 --> 00:41:46,499
‐ Washington
has coordinated an effort

852
00:41:46,504 --> 00:41:49,014
where this will all happen
at dawn,

853
00:41:49,007 --> 00:41:51,087
but they're late.

854
00:41:51,092 --> 00:41:55,562
‐ When Washington's forces
land in New Jersey, it's 3 a. m.

855
00:41:55,555 --> 00:41:58,015
They're hours behind schedule

856
00:41:58,016 --> 00:42:02,556
and still facing a 9‐mile march
to Trenton.

857
00:42:02,562 --> 00:42:05,482
The plan is to divide
into two columns

858
00:42:05,481 --> 00:42:08,031
4 miles outside of town

859
00:42:08,026 --> 00:42:11,066
and circle the garrison
and barrage the Hessians

860
00:42:11,070 --> 00:42:14,280
with cannon fire
before they have time to react.

861
00:42:14,282 --> 00:42:17,452
‐ Keep pushing, men!

862
00:42:17,452 --> 00:42:19,952
Bring it forward, men,
bring it forward!

863
00:42:19,954 --> 00:42:22,584
‐ Commanding
a critical artillery unit

864
00:42:22,582 --> 00:42:25,462
is one
of the country's rising stars,

865
00:42:25,460 --> 00:42:28,800
a young captain
named Alexander Hamilton.

866
00:42:28,796 --> 00:42:32,256
‐ Alexander Hamilton
comes to the United States

867
00:42:32,258 --> 00:42:34,838
as an immigrant,
functionally an orphan,

868
00:42:34,844 --> 00:42:36,974
attends King's College.

869
00:42:36,971 --> 00:42:38,891
He is ambitious.

870
00:42:38,890 --> 00:42:40,730
‐ In some ways,

871
00:42:40,725 --> 00:42:43,385
has a lot of similarities
to a young Washington.

872
00:42:43,394 --> 00:42:45,444
What Hamilton wants from the war
more than anything else

873
00:42:45,438 --> 00:42:47,268
is a moment to shine
on the battlefield

874
00:42:47,273 --> 00:42:48,783
so he can earn reputation
and honor.

875
00:42:48,775 --> 00:42:52,065
‐ Quickly, on the shore,
form a line!

876
00:42:52,070 --> 00:42:53,320
We leave in 30 minutes!

877
00:42:53,321 --> 00:42:58,241
[ panting ]

878
00:42:58,242 --> 00:43:00,082
We're ready,
General Washington.

879
00:43:00,078 --> 00:43:01,748
‐ You have done it, sir.

880
00:43:01,746 --> 00:43:03,826
‐ The job is not yet done.

881
00:43:03,831 --> 00:43:06,381
The battle is still before us.

882
00:43:06,375 --> 00:43:09,375
[ wind whistling ]

883
00:43:09,378 --> 00:43:11,458
‐ Washington
doesn't know it yet,

884
00:43:11,464 --> 00:43:15,224
but the two columns of soldiers
due to cross upstream

885
00:43:15,218 --> 00:43:19,428
were stopped in their tracks
by the brutal conditions.

886
00:43:19,430 --> 00:43:23,890
He and his 2,400 men
are now on their own.

887
00:43:23,893 --> 00:43:26,983
‐ If they do not win
this battle,

888
00:43:26,979 --> 00:43:28,769
it's over.

889
00:43:28,773 --> 00:43:33,193
So he rallies his men
for one last toss of the dice.

890
00:43:33,194 --> 00:43:34,784
♪♪♪

891
00:43:34,779 --> 00:43:37,529
‐ The stakes
are unimaginably high.

892
00:43:37,532 --> 00:43:39,372
The snow is coming down.

893
00:43:39,367 --> 00:43:40,787
The wind is whipping.

894
00:43:40,785 --> 00:43:43,695
They're freezing,
but they have nothing else left.

895
00:43:43,704 --> 00:43:46,124
[ marching footsteps ]

896
00:43:46,124 --> 00:43:48,844
They will either prevail,
or they will die.

897
00:43:48,835 --> 00:44:00,635
♪♪♪

898
00:44:00,638 --> 00:44:05,598
[ flames crackling ]

899
00:44:05,601 --> 00:44:10,651
[ explosions ]

900
00:44:10,648 --> 00:44:12,688
[ gunfire ]

901
00:44:12,692 --> 00:44:16,282
‐ "Tyranny, like hell,

902
00:44:16,279 --> 00:44:17,989
is not easily conquered."

903
00:44:17,989 --> 00:44:21,369
♪♪♪

904
00:44:21,367 --> 00:44:24,697
"Yet we have this consolation
with us,

905
00:44:24,704 --> 00:44:27,674
"that the harder the conflict,

906
00:44:27,665 --> 00:44:30,075
the more glorious the triumph."

907
00:44:30,084 --> 00:44:36,134
♪♪♪

908
00:44:36,132 --> 00:44:41,642
♪♪♪

909
00:44:41,637 --> 00:44:45,557
‐ General George Washington's
daring Delaware River gambit

910
00:44:45,558 --> 00:44:49,018
pays off...
[ gunfire and explosions ]

911
00:44:49,020 --> 00:44:51,560
...with his first
great battlefield victory

912
00:44:51,564 --> 00:44:54,484
of the revolution.

913
00:44:54,483 --> 00:44:58,403
In less than an hour,
22 enemy soldiers were killed,

914
00:44:58,404 --> 00:45:01,204
some 900 taken prisoner,

915
00:45:01,199 --> 00:45:05,079
not a single American is lost
in the fight.

916
00:45:05,077 --> 00:45:08,407
‐ Trenton was like
turning the page.

917
00:45:08,414 --> 00:45:11,214
He had made his mistakes
in the past,

918
00:45:11,209 --> 00:45:13,669
but now,
this was a whole new game.

919
00:45:13,669 --> 00:45:18,379
♪♪♪

920
00:45:18,382 --> 00:45:19,512
[ indistinct conversations ]

921
00:45:19,508 --> 00:45:20,968
‐ General orders!

922
00:45:20,968 --> 00:45:24,638
General orders! Gather around.

923
00:45:24,639 --> 00:45:30,389
"General orders
27th December, 1776.

924
00:45:30,394 --> 00:45:35,194
"The general, with the utmost
sincerity and affection,

925
00:45:35,191 --> 00:45:37,741
"thanks the officers
and soldiers

926
00:45:37,735 --> 00:45:38,735
for their spirited and gallant
behavior at Trenton."

927
00:45:38,736 --> 00:45:44,276
‐ [ all cheering ]

928
00:45:44,283 --> 00:45:46,833
‐ With Washington
crossing the Delaware,

929
00:45:46,827 --> 00:45:49,867
the history of the world
was one way before that,

930
00:45:49,872 --> 00:45:53,132
and it turned out to be
another way after that.

931
00:45:53,125 --> 00:45:57,795
Washington's decision
to do that on that cold night

932
00:45:57,797 --> 00:45:59,877
has warmed the rest of us
ever since.

933
00:45:59,882 --> 00:46:02,802
‐ "The commissary
is strictly ordered

934
00:46:02,802 --> 00:46:05,262
to provide rum to the troops."

935
00:46:05,263 --> 00:46:09,393
‐ [ all cheering ]

936
00:46:09,392 --> 00:46:11,442
‐ So, what had looked to be
a lost cause

937
00:46:11,435 --> 00:46:15,725
just a few weeks before
suddenly looks a lot better,

938
00:46:15,731 --> 00:46:19,401
and the principal person who
pulls this off is Washington.

939
00:46:19,402 --> 00:46:21,702
But he's got a shrinking army,

940
00:46:21,696 --> 00:46:24,616
and most of his soldiers
will be going home

941
00:46:24,615 --> 00:46:27,285
at the end of the year.

942
00:46:28,619 --> 00:46:31,459
‐ As we have begun

943
00:46:31,455 --> 00:46:35,915
the glorious work
of driving the enemy...

944
00:46:37,628 --> 00:46:39,588
I hope you will not now

945
00:46:39,588 --> 00:46:42,218
turn your backs upon them

946
00:46:42,216 --> 00:46:46,636
and leave the business
half‐finished

947
00:46:46,637 --> 00:46:50,597
at this important crisis,

948
00:46:50,599 --> 00:46:55,189
a crisis which may,
more than probably,

949
00:46:55,187 --> 00:46:58,727
determine the fate of America.

950
00:46:58,733 --> 00:47:00,743
‐ People join armies,

951
00:47:00,735 --> 00:47:03,315
and they stay in armies
for a variety of reasons.

952
00:47:03,321 --> 00:47:06,201
In the case of Washington,

953
00:47:06,198 --> 00:47:09,948
he presents the cause
as the cause of freedom.

954
00:47:09,952 --> 00:47:11,622
‐ Washington knew
that you have to give

955
00:47:11,620 --> 00:47:14,370
any group of human beings
that you wanna lead effectively

956
00:47:14,373 --> 00:47:17,083
a sense of purpose.
"Why are we doing this?

957
00:47:17,084 --> 00:47:19,004
Why am I putting my life
on the line?"

958
00:47:19,003 --> 00:47:21,923
My mission is to close with
and destroy the enemy

959
00:47:21,922 --> 00:47:23,592
by firing maneuver.

960
00:47:23,591 --> 00:47:25,761
But the purpose of doing this

961
00:47:25,760 --> 00:47:28,890
is to protect
the United States of America.

962
00:47:28,888 --> 00:47:34,228
‐ I therefore not only invite
you to a longer continuance,

963
00:47:34,226 --> 00:47:38,896
but earnestly exhort
the officers and soldiers

964
00:47:38,898 --> 00:47:43,318
of all those regiments
whose term of service

965
00:47:43,319 --> 00:47:46,279
is due to expire
in a few days...

966
00:47:46,280 --> 00:47:49,780
♪♪♪

967
00:47:49,784 --> 00:47:52,544
...to remain.

968
00:47:52,536 --> 00:47:54,156
‐ He doesn't force them
to stay.

969
00:47:54,163 --> 00:47:56,123
He doesn't order them to stay.

970
00:47:56,123 --> 00:47:58,883
He pleads with their sense
of loyalty and duty,

971
00:47:58,876 --> 00:48:00,876
and he asked them to stay.

972
00:48:00,878 --> 00:48:03,208
‐ Many of them will re‐enlist
'cause now there's some hope,

973
00:48:03,214 --> 00:48:05,674
and they'll be able to recruit
new soldiers

974
00:48:05,674 --> 00:48:07,804
because there seems like‐‐

975
00:48:07,802 --> 00:48:10,142
this is actually something
worth fighting for,

976
00:48:10,137 --> 00:48:12,517
and hope keeps an army going.

977
00:48:12,515 --> 00:48:15,885
‐ The greatness of
Washington's victory at Trenton

978
00:48:15,893 --> 00:48:18,983
wasn't so much in what happened
on the battlefield,

979
00:48:18,979 --> 00:48:22,019
But the huge impact that it has

980
00:48:22,024 --> 00:48:24,784
on the feelings
of the American people.

981
00:48:24,777 --> 00:48:27,607
‐ Word of mouth would have
traveled to people

982
00:48:27,613 --> 00:48:30,913
about what had happened,
and it would buoy people spirits

983
00:48:30,908 --> 00:48:33,158
and make people think
that it was possible

984
00:48:33,160 --> 00:48:35,290
that the country could
actually pull this off.

985
00:48:35,287 --> 00:48:37,457
‐ Trenton changed everything,

986
00:48:37,456 --> 00:48:40,166
and we owe it
to Washington's audacity.

987
00:48:40,167 --> 00:48:42,877
♪♪♪

988
00:48:42,878 --> 00:48:44,838
‐ The British are frustrated
at this point.

989
00:48:44,839 --> 00:48:47,049
Certainly Howe is frustrated.

990
00:48:47,049 --> 00:48:49,299
He had hoped that this thing
would be over by now

991
00:48:49,301 --> 00:48:52,301
and that the American army
would just kinda drift away,

992
00:48:52,304 --> 00:48:54,394
and the revolution would die
a peaceful death.

993
00:48:54,390 --> 00:48:55,810
♪♪♪

994
00:48:55,808 --> 00:48:59,478
‐ In response to
Washington's surprise victory,

995
00:48:59,478 --> 00:49:01,688
the British throw
their military might

996
00:49:01,689 --> 00:49:05,439
at finally winning control
of the Hudson.

997
00:49:05,443 --> 00:49:08,403
In July, they captured
the key American post

998
00:49:08,404 --> 00:49:10,494
at Fort Ticonderoga,

999
00:49:10,489 --> 00:49:13,739
forcing the Northern Army
into retreat.

1000
00:49:15,953 --> 00:49:18,413
‐ The Continental Army
was a complicated beast.

1001
00:49:18,414 --> 00:49:21,674
Washington had his own army
he was in charge of,

1002
00:49:21,667 --> 00:49:23,747
but there was also
the Northern Army

1003
00:49:23,752 --> 00:49:25,592
and the Southern Army.

1004
00:49:25,588 --> 00:49:28,508
‐ Unsure where the British
will strike next,

1005
00:49:28,507 --> 00:49:31,217
Washington sends
reinforcements north

1006
00:49:31,218 --> 00:49:33,048
to protect the Hudson.

1007
00:49:33,053 --> 00:49:36,643
He then spends the summer
of 1777,

1008
00:49:36,640 --> 00:49:39,770
marching his own forces
between Philadelphia

1009
00:49:39,768 --> 00:49:43,358
and New York
in an effort to protect both.

1010
00:49:43,355 --> 00:49:45,355
‐ Washington is
a true commander in chief.

1011
00:49:45,357 --> 00:49:48,067
He's not just looking
at what's good for me

1012
00:49:48,068 --> 00:49:49,988
down here with my main army.

1013
00:49:49,987 --> 00:49:52,567
He's giving strategic
and operational guidance

1014
00:49:52,573 --> 00:49:54,703
to the commanders
up in the Northern Army

1015
00:49:54,700 --> 00:49:56,580
while he's fighting
his own fight

1016
00:49:56,577 --> 00:49:59,367
down in New York,
New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

1017
00:49:59,371 --> 00:50:03,581
‐ By August, the British,
under General John Burgoyne,

1018
00:50:03,584 --> 00:50:06,094
are poised to strike Albany,

1019
00:50:06,086 --> 00:50:09,416
a strategic outpost
on the lower Hudson.

1020
00:50:09,423 --> 00:50:11,433
As for General Howe,

1021
00:50:11,425 --> 00:50:14,295
his fleet
has departed New York.

1022
00:50:14,303 --> 00:50:16,643
Destination unknown.

1023
00:50:17,765 --> 00:50:19,345
‐ A message from London.

1024
00:50:24,855 --> 00:50:26,685
Do we sail for the Hudson?

1025
00:50:26,690 --> 00:50:30,360
‐ It seems our northern armies
do not require our assistance.

1026
00:50:30,361 --> 00:50:32,991
‐ Burgoyne desires the glory
for himself.

1027
00:50:32,988 --> 00:50:37,158
‐ Perhaps.
Let others focus on the north.

1028
00:50:37,159 --> 00:50:40,159
A far bigger prize lies
right in front of us.

1029
00:50:40,162 --> 00:50:42,042
‐ Philadelphia?

1030
00:50:43,624 --> 00:50:45,084
‐ Not even Washington
can survive

1031
00:50:45,084 --> 00:50:47,214
the fall of his capital.

1032
00:50:47,211 --> 00:50:49,921
And if we are not needed
to support others elsewhere,

1033
00:50:49,922 --> 00:50:53,882
it means our full force
is finally at our disposal.

1034
00:50:55,511 --> 00:50:56,721
Get the map.

1035
00:51:00,099 --> 00:51:03,309
‐ Washington is still
between us and the city.

1036
00:51:03,310 --> 00:51:04,770
‐ On land...

1037
00:51:04,770 --> 00:51:07,110
♪♪♪

1038
00:51:07,106 --> 00:51:10,066
And even if he recognizes
our target,

1039
00:51:10,067 --> 00:51:12,277
he cannot check our ships.

1040
00:51:12,278 --> 00:51:13,948
♪♪♪

1041
00:51:13,946 --> 00:51:16,616
He has no way of knowing

1042
00:51:16,615 --> 00:51:20,155
from which direction
we will come.

1043
00:51:20,160 --> 00:51:23,790
♪♪♪

1044
00:51:23,789 --> 00:51:26,129
I have given him opportunities
to see reason.

1045
00:51:26,125 --> 00:51:29,295
Still he persists.

1046
00:51:29,295 --> 00:51:33,505
Mr. Washington thinks
he is making headway.

1047
00:51:33,507 --> 00:51:36,427
Well, let's show him

1048
00:51:36,427 --> 00:51:39,677
how terribly mistaken he is.

1049
00:51:39,680 --> 00:51:41,220
Ready the fleet.

1050
00:51:41,223 --> 00:51:42,353
‐ Straightaway, my Lord.

1051
00:51:42,349 --> 00:51:43,889
♪♪♪

1052
00:51:43,892 --> 00:51:46,732
‐ Howe is no longer
underestimating Washington.

1053
00:51:46,729 --> 00:51:49,059
Washington is the revolution
at this point,

1054
00:51:49,064 --> 00:51:51,484
and if he can defeat and perhaps
even destroy Washington,

1055
00:51:51,483 --> 00:51:54,903
that's the revolution
right there.

1056
00:51:55,738 --> 00:52:00,278
[ wind whistling ]

1057
00:52:00,284 --> 00:52:03,794
[ water gurgling ]

1058
00:52:03,787 --> 00:52:08,327
[ thunder rumbling ]

1059
00:52:08,334 --> 00:52:15,304
♪♪♪

1060
00:52:15,299 --> 00:52:18,389
‐ By late summer, General Howe
is making good on his promise

1061
00:52:18,385 --> 00:52:19,965
to come for Washington.

1062
00:52:19,970 --> 00:52:22,060
♪♪♪

1063
00:52:22,056 --> 00:52:24,176
He beats the Continental Army
in a battle

1064
00:52:24,183 --> 00:52:27,813
just outside of Philadelphia.

1065
00:52:27,811 --> 00:52:31,401
The patriot capital
is now exposed.

1066
00:52:31,398 --> 00:52:33,438
‐ Philadelphia is a great prize.

1067
00:52:33,442 --> 00:52:36,152
It's the rebel capital,
a lot of propaganda value.

1068
00:52:36,153 --> 00:52:37,703
♪♪♪

1069
00:52:37,696 --> 00:52:39,196
‐ The British think

1070
00:52:39,198 --> 00:52:42,528
in a very traditional,
military kind of a way,

1071
00:52:42,534 --> 00:52:44,874
"We need to capture
a major city."

1072
00:52:44,870 --> 00:52:47,920
The capture of New York‐‐
that doesn't fix things.

1073
00:52:47,915 --> 00:52:50,375
‐ And if we take the city
where Congress is sitting,

1074
00:52:50,376 --> 00:52:52,536
maybe that will be
so emotionally crippling

1075
00:52:52,544 --> 00:52:54,254
that they will surrender.

1076
00:52:54,254 --> 00:52:56,134
‐ This is one of the big crises

1077
00:52:56,131 --> 00:52:58,721
in Washington's entire time
as commander in chief.

1078
00:52:58,717 --> 00:53:08,767
♪♪♪

1079
00:53:08,769 --> 00:53:15,689
♪♪♪

1080
00:53:15,693 --> 00:53:19,033
‐ "Howe was about
15 miles from us.

1081
00:53:19,029 --> 00:53:21,569
The prospect is chilling
on every side."

1082
00:53:21,573 --> 00:53:26,833
♪♪♪

1083
00:53:26,829 --> 00:53:30,249
"Is Philadelphia to be lost?

1084
00:53:30,249 --> 00:53:33,089
If lost, is the cause lost?"

1085
00:53:33,085 --> 00:53:35,165
♪♪♪

1086
00:53:35,170 --> 00:53:37,760
‐ Within days, John Adams
and his fellow congressmen

1087
00:53:37,756 --> 00:53:40,376
are evacuating the city,

1088
00:53:40,384 --> 00:53:44,104
and so is a future symbol
of American freedom.

1089
00:53:44,096 --> 00:53:53,396
♪♪♪

1090
00:53:53,397 --> 00:53:58,237
The Liberty Bell is secreted
in a church 60 miles away

1091
00:53:58,235 --> 00:54:00,695
to keep the British
from melting it down

1092
00:54:00,696 --> 00:54:02,606
into musket balls.

1093
00:54:02,614 --> 00:54:12,084
♪♪♪

1094
00:54:12,082 --> 00:54:17,422
‐ "The enemy gained possession
of Philadelphia.

1095
00:54:17,421 --> 00:54:21,091
"This will be attended
with several ill consequences.

1096
00:54:21,091 --> 00:54:25,011
"But I hope that a little time
and perseverance

1097
00:54:25,012 --> 00:54:28,272
"will give us an opportunity
of making amends

1098
00:54:28,265 --> 00:54:31,765
for our late ill fortune."

1099
00:54:31,769 --> 00:54:34,479
‐ Washington had been
on a losing streak.

1100
00:54:34,480 --> 00:54:38,150
He had had the absolutely
terrible year in New York.

1101
00:54:38,150 --> 00:54:40,110
He had redeemed himself
a little bit

1102
00:54:40,110 --> 00:54:44,740
with the Battle of Trenton,
but then had lost Philadelphia.

1103
00:54:44,740 --> 00:54:47,330
‐ And there really begins
to be kind of a whisper campaign

1104
00:54:47,326 --> 00:54:49,286
about, "Should Washington be
in command of the army?"

1105
00:54:50,871 --> 00:54:53,291
‐ There's rumblings in Congress

1106
00:54:53,290 --> 00:54:55,920
and other places,
even in the army,

1107
00:54:55,918 --> 00:54:57,668
"Who should really be
the commander in chief?"

1108
00:54:57,669 --> 00:54:59,709
And there's a lot of those folks
who were talking

1109
00:54:59,713 --> 00:55:02,723
about Gates being
the logical successor

1110
00:55:02,716 --> 00:55:03,966
to George Washington.

1111
00:55:05,844 --> 00:55:08,684
‐ Horatio Gates
is a veteran soldier,

1112
00:55:08,680 --> 00:55:10,720
and one
of the original contenders

1113
00:55:10,724 --> 00:55:12,984
for Washington's job.

1114
00:55:12,976 --> 00:55:14,646
He's now commanding

1115
00:55:14,645 --> 00:55:17,225
the Continental Army's
northern wing

1116
00:55:17,231 --> 00:55:19,321
currently in upstate New York,

1117
00:55:19,316 --> 00:55:21,896
holding firm
against the British,

1118
00:55:21,902 --> 00:55:25,912
who are angling
to seize control of the Hudson.

1119
00:55:25,906 --> 00:55:30,486
The two armies clashed north
of Albany near Saratoga

1120
00:55:30,494 --> 00:55:33,504
a week
before Philadelphia fell.

1121
00:55:33,497 --> 00:55:37,077
Though British General
John Burgoyne claimed victory,

1122
00:55:37,084 --> 00:55:40,424
the Americans inflicted
heavy casualties,

1123
00:55:40,420 --> 00:55:44,050
thanks in part
to the bold battlefield tactics

1124
00:55:44,049 --> 00:55:48,049
of one
of Washington's rising stars,

1125
00:55:48,053 --> 00:55:51,523
36‐year‐old former merchant
from Connecticut,

1126
00:55:51,515 --> 00:55:52,805
Benedict Arnold.

1127
00:55:52,808 --> 00:55:53,768
[ horse whinnies ]

1128
00:55:53,767 --> 00:55:55,227
‐ You have been broken.

1129
00:55:55,227 --> 00:55:58,397
[ horse whinnies ]
Do not give quarter.

1130
00:55:58,397 --> 00:56:05,317
♪♪♪

1131
00:56:05,320 --> 00:56:07,200
‐ Now in October,

1132
00:56:07,197 --> 00:56:10,027
after nearly a month
of stalemate,

1133
00:56:10,033 --> 00:56:12,703
Arnold is on the field
once again

1134
00:56:12,703 --> 00:56:15,913
to stop Britain's advance
on the Hudson.

1135
00:56:15,914 --> 00:56:18,714
♪♪♪

1136
00:56:18,709 --> 00:56:21,339
‐ Arnold was one
of Washington's best officers.

1137
00:56:21,336 --> 00:56:23,416
He was brilliant
on the battlefield,

1138
00:56:23,422 --> 00:56:26,592
decisive,
great strategic sense.

1139
00:56:26,592 --> 00:56:29,142
‐ Kind of a daredevil
in his willingness

1140
00:56:29,136 --> 00:56:30,716
to put his body at risk.

1141
00:56:30,721 --> 00:56:34,681
‐ He's totally dedicated
to the cause of the revolution,

1142
00:56:34,683 --> 00:56:37,143
and he's willing
to sacrifice for it.

1143
00:56:37,144 --> 00:56:39,444
‐ I do not care
if their backs are turned!

1144
00:56:39,438 --> 00:56:41,898
Put them in their graves!

1145
00:56:41,898 --> 00:56:43,898
Send them to hell!

1146
00:56:43,900 --> 00:56:45,900
Send them all to hell!

1147
00:56:45,902 --> 00:56:48,912
♪♪♪

1148
00:56:48,905 --> 00:56:51,945
[ beating drum ]

1149
00:56:51,950 --> 00:56:58,080
♪♪♪

1150
00:56:58,081 --> 00:57:00,211
‐ Charge!

1151
00:57:00,208 --> 00:57:01,628
‐ [ all yelling ]

1152
00:57:01,627 --> 00:57:02,747
‐ Everyone!

1153
00:57:02,753 --> 00:57:06,013
[ yelling continues ]

1154
00:57:06,006 --> 00:57:09,296
[ gunfire ]

1155
00:57:09,301 --> 00:57:13,351
♪♪♪

1156
00:57:13,347 --> 00:57:14,807
‐ [ shouts indistinctly ]

1157
00:57:14,806 --> 00:57:16,306
[ swords clanking ]

1158
00:57:16,308 --> 00:57:23,188
♪♪♪

1159
00:57:23,190 --> 00:57:24,650
[ shouts indistinctly ]

1160
00:57:24,650 --> 00:57:38,870
♪♪♪

1161
00:57:38,872 --> 00:57:40,292
‐ Fall back!

1162
00:57:40,290 --> 00:57:41,210
Fall back!

1163
00:57:41,208 --> 00:57:46,588
♪♪♪

1164
00:57:46,588 --> 00:57:47,708
‐ [ shouts indistinctly ]

1165
00:57:47,714 --> 00:57:48,634
[ blades clanking ]

1166
00:57:48,632 --> 00:57:50,092
♪♪♪

1167
00:57:50,092 --> 00:57:52,472
[ shouts indistinctly ]

1168
00:57:52,469 --> 00:57:54,849
♪♪♪

1169
00:57:54,846 --> 00:57:56,466
‐ Fall back!

1170
00:57:56,473 --> 00:57:57,473
Fall back!

1171
00:57:58,725 --> 00:58:01,305
[ gunfire ]

1172
00:58:01,311 --> 00:58:03,611
[ horse whinnies ]

1173
00:58:03,605 --> 00:58:06,855
[ crowd cheering ]

1174
00:58:06,858 --> 00:58:12,818
♪♪♪

1175
00:58:12,823 --> 00:58:16,583
‐ The Battle of Saratoga
was a punch to the gut

1176
00:58:16,576 --> 00:58:18,826
for the British Army.

1177
00:58:18,829 --> 00:58:20,959
They had assumed
this was going to give them

1178
00:58:20,956 --> 00:58:23,376
the victory, that that would
shut down the revolution,

1179
00:58:23,375 --> 00:58:25,335
but it was just the opposite.

1180
00:58:25,335 --> 00:58:27,795
[ crowd cheering ]

1181
00:58:27,796 --> 00:58:29,916
‐ There's a wonderful letter
from a British officer

1182
00:58:29,923 --> 00:58:33,053
who describes how Burgoyne
was so full of emotion

1183
00:58:33,051 --> 00:58:35,721
and disbelieving
that they had lost this battle

1184
00:58:35,721 --> 00:58:37,511
that he really couldn't speak.

1185
00:58:39,224 --> 00:58:41,394
So it was a stunning,
stunning victory

1186
00:58:41,393 --> 00:58:43,153
that ends up having
a huge impact

1187
00:58:43,145 --> 00:58:44,645
for the American cause,

1188
00:58:44,646 --> 00:58:49,226
and Arnold is a great hero
in that moment.

1189
00:58:49,234 --> 00:58:53,114
‐ But Arnold's heroics
at Saratoga come at a price.

1190
00:58:53,113 --> 00:58:57,083
In the final push of battle,
his left leg is shot

1191
00:58:57,075 --> 00:59:00,405
and then crushed
by his fallen horse.

1192
00:59:00,412 --> 00:59:03,422
‐ He's taken to a hospital
in Albany.

1193
00:59:03,415 --> 00:59:07,415
And meanwhile, back in
the center of the action,

1194
00:59:07,419 --> 00:59:11,759
Horatio Gates, who did not leave
his tent during Saratoga,

1195
00:59:11,757 --> 00:59:14,467
takes credit for the victory.

1196
00:59:14,468 --> 00:59:16,678
♪♪♪

1197
00:59:16,678 --> 00:59:20,348
‐ Gates is not just looking
to steal Arnold's thunder.

1198
00:59:20,348 --> 00:59:24,348
His real intention is to use
his victory at Saratoga

1199
00:59:24,352 --> 00:59:27,732
to make a play for the job
of his commanding officer,

1200
00:59:27,731 --> 00:59:29,981
George Washington.

1201
00:59:29,983 --> 00:59:34,283
‐ Gates is very careful
not to put himself on paper

1202
00:59:34,279 --> 00:59:37,699
and saying,
"I want to take charge."

1203
00:59:37,699 --> 00:59:41,159
But he speaks
with Washington's opponents,

1204
00:59:41,161 --> 00:59:45,421
and he encourages them
to begin lobbying in Congress

1205
00:59:45,415 --> 00:59:49,455
and elsewhere
for Washington's deposition.

1206
00:59:49,461 --> 00:59:53,301
And when criticisms
of Washington arise,

1207
00:59:53,298 --> 00:59:56,928
certain young men
in what Washington calls

1208
00:59:56,927 --> 00:59:59,847
his military family
stepped to the fore,

1209
00:59:59,846 --> 01:00:01,966
identify Washington's critics

1210
01:00:01,973 --> 01:00:04,313
and do their best
to destroy them.

1211
01:00:04,309 --> 01:00:07,309
And nobody steps forward
with more aggressiveness

1212
01:00:07,312 --> 01:00:08,692
than Alexander Hamilton.

1213
01:00:10,857 --> 01:00:13,987
‐ "All the true and sensible
friends to their country

1214
01:00:13,985 --> 01:00:16,775
"and, of course,
to a certain great man

1215
01:00:16,780 --> 01:00:18,450
"ought to be upon the watch

1216
01:00:18,448 --> 01:00:20,868
"to counterplot
the secret machinations

1217
01:00:20,867 --> 01:00:23,497
of his enemies."

1218
01:00:23,495 --> 01:00:25,325
♪♪♪

1219
01:00:25,330 --> 01:00:28,830
‐ The 21‐year‐old captain
who commanded an artillery unit

1220
01:00:28,834 --> 01:00:31,044
at the Battle of Trenton

1221
01:00:31,044 --> 01:00:33,634
is now one
of the commander in chief's

1222
01:00:33,630 --> 01:00:36,130
most trusted aides‐de‐camp.

1223
01:00:36,132 --> 01:00:38,132
‐ In an aide,
what Washington needs

1224
01:00:38,134 --> 01:00:39,474
is someone
who can write for him,

1225
01:00:39,469 --> 01:00:41,849
can speak for him,
can act for him

1226
01:00:41,847 --> 01:00:44,977
in a way that's true to <i>him.</i>

1227
01:00:44,975 --> 01:00:47,845
‐ Another of
Washington's staunchest allies

1228
01:00:47,853 --> 01:00:51,153
is the 19‐year‐old
Marquis de Lafayette.

1229
01:00:51,147 --> 01:00:53,277
♪♪♪

1230
01:00:53,275 --> 01:00:56,065
‐ The Marquis de Lafayette
is a young French nobleman

1231
01:00:56,069 --> 01:01:00,659
who is inspired by the cause
of what's going on in America.

1232
01:01:00,657 --> 01:01:04,197
So he comes to the United States

1233
01:01:04,202 --> 01:01:06,582
and commits himself
to the effort.

1234
01:01:06,580 --> 01:01:09,170
‐ Lafayette has joined
Washington's army

1235
01:01:09,165 --> 01:01:10,785
as a volunteer.

1236
01:01:10,792 --> 01:01:13,042
He was wounded
at the Battle of Brandywine,

1237
01:01:13,044 --> 01:01:14,924
and he's now been appointed
a general

1238
01:01:14,921 --> 01:01:16,801
in the Continental Army.

1239
01:01:16,798 --> 01:01:19,218
‐ He's very young
and very eager,

1240
01:01:19,217 --> 01:01:21,007
and you certainly get a sense

1241
01:01:21,011 --> 01:01:24,431
that Washington and Lafayette
become very close very quickly.

1242
01:01:24,431 --> 01:01:29,641
♪♪♪

1243
01:01:29,644 --> 01:01:33,194
‐ As Washington begins
winter camp at Valley Forge,

1244
01:01:33,189 --> 01:01:36,399
his critics
are still plotting against him,

1245
01:01:36,401 --> 01:01:40,911
but his military family
is standing by his side.

1246
01:01:40,906 --> 01:01:43,616
‐ [ speaks French ]

1247
01:01:43,617 --> 01:01:47,327
‐ To old friends and new allies.

1248
01:01:47,329 --> 01:01:49,119
‐ And to
our fearless commander.

1249
01:01:49,122 --> 01:01:53,792
‐ The only general
who could lead this army.

1250
01:01:53,793 --> 01:01:54,633
[ glasses clink ]

1251
01:01:54,628 --> 01:01:57,508
♪♪♪

1252
01:01:57,505 --> 01:01:59,375
‐ I must say,

1253
01:01:59,382 --> 01:02:02,432
we are all well aware
on the fools in Congress

1254
01:02:02,427 --> 01:02:05,347
who do not know a single thing
about war.

1255
01:02:05,347 --> 01:02:09,387
But every man at this table,
every man in this camp

1256
01:02:09,392 --> 01:02:11,482
knows that if you are lost
to America,

1257
01:02:11,478 --> 01:02:14,018
there is nobody
who could keep the army

1258
01:02:14,022 --> 01:02:16,322
and the revolution going.

1259
01:02:16,316 --> 01:02:20,276
‐ I appreciate your confidence,
my dear Marquis.

1260
01:02:20,278 --> 01:02:23,818
But for one night,
let's not discuss the war.

1261
01:02:23,823 --> 01:02:25,833
‐ Hear, hear.

1262
01:02:25,825 --> 01:02:26,985
‐ To Christmas.
‐ To Christmas.

1263
01:02:26,993 --> 01:02:27,913
‐ To Christmas.

1264
01:02:27,911 --> 01:02:29,621
[ glasses clink ]

1265
01:02:29,621 --> 01:02:32,501
‐ Despite attempts
to quiet the cabal,

1266
01:02:32,499 --> 01:02:35,709
calls for Washington's ouster
aren't going away.

1267
01:02:35,710 --> 01:02:38,800
In January 1778,

1268
01:02:38,797 --> 01:02:41,837
an anonymous letter
circulated in the Congress

1269
01:02:41,841 --> 01:02:44,391
makes the case for his removal

1270
01:02:44,386 --> 01:02:48,306
with a scathing list
of Washington's failures.

1271
01:02:48,306 --> 01:02:50,306
‐ "That the enemies,
taking possession

1272
01:02:50,308 --> 01:02:52,098
"of the city of Philadelphia,

1273
01:02:52,102 --> 01:02:54,772
"with so little loss
in opposition,

1274
01:02:54,771 --> 01:02:56,441
"has been very discouraging

1275
01:02:56,439 --> 01:03:00,149
"to many of the true friends
of America,

1276
01:03:00,151 --> 01:03:02,451
"that more men will die
this winter

1277
01:03:02,445 --> 01:03:04,855
"than it would've cost lives
to have conquered the enemy

1278
01:03:04,864 --> 01:03:07,874
"last summer and fall,

1279
01:03:07,867 --> 01:03:11,197
"that it is a very great
reproach to America

1280
01:03:11,204 --> 01:03:14,624
to say there is
only one general in it."

1281
01:03:14,624 --> 01:03:18,554
♪♪♪

1282
01:03:18,545 --> 01:03:20,375
‐ Washington worried
the American people

1283
01:03:20,380 --> 01:03:23,010
were going to believe
this criticism.

1284
01:03:23,008 --> 01:03:25,338
He worried he was going
to lose their support.

1285
01:03:25,343 --> 01:03:29,563
♪♪♪

1286
01:03:29,556 --> 01:03:33,016
‐ There's a sense that he really
doesn't have what it takes.

1287
01:03:33,018 --> 01:03:43,318
♪♪♪

1288
01:03:44,112 --> 01:03:55,042
♪♪♪

1289
01:03:55,040 --> 01:03:58,250
‐ Nearly three years
into the war,

1290
01:03:58,251 --> 01:04:02,711
George Washington is facing
escalating personal attacks

1291
01:04:02,714 --> 01:04:05,724
and a new enemy...

1292
01:04:05,717 --> 01:04:08,677
winter.

1293
01:04:08,678 --> 01:04:11,558
Plagued with disease
and desperately hungry,

1294
01:04:11,556 --> 01:04:14,176
the men of Washington's main
fighting force

1295
01:04:14,184 --> 01:04:17,314
are battling to stay alive.

1296
01:04:17,312 --> 01:04:19,402
‐ Follow me.

1297
01:04:19,397 --> 01:04:21,107
‐ If we are to set rations,

1298
01:04:21,107 --> 01:04:23,687
we must have accurate account
of our provisions.

1299
01:04:27,280 --> 01:04:28,620
‐ [ coughing ]

1300
01:04:28,615 --> 01:04:32,985
♪♪♪

1301
01:04:32,994 --> 01:04:35,084
‐ Food supplies are running low,

1302
01:04:35,080 --> 01:04:36,580
and what little they do have

1303
01:04:36,581 --> 01:04:39,881
is growing more rancid
by the day.

1304
01:04:39,876 --> 01:04:40,996
‐ Wow.

1305
01:04:41,002 --> 01:04:43,632
♪♪♪

1306
01:04:43,630 --> 01:04:45,470
‐ Check every crate and barrel.

1307
01:04:45,465 --> 01:04:47,925
♪♪♪

1308
01:04:47,926 --> 01:04:50,546
Inform me as soon as the count
is completed.

1309
01:04:52,931 --> 01:04:54,851
‐ Washington and his troops

1310
01:04:54,849 --> 01:04:57,889
are hunkered down for
the winter at Valley Forge,

1311
01:04:57,894 --> 01:05:01,614
just 20 miles outside of
British‐occupied Philadelphia.

1312
01:05:01,606 --> 01:05:03,816
The two armies are
camped so close

1313
01:05:03,817 --> 01:05:05,937
that to survive the winter,

1314
01:05:05,944 --> 01:05:10,784
they're forced to draw on
the same farms for supplies.

1315
01:05:10,782 --> 01:05:13,662
‐ There's a battle
going on for food,

1316
01:05:13,660 --> 01:05:15,330
and the British are winning.

1317
01:05:15,328 --> 01:05:16,868
‐ The Americans don't
have gold and silver,

1318
01:05:16,871 --> 01:05:20,171
and so they're offering payment
in paper money.

1319
01:05:20,166 --> 01:05:23,166
Farmers don't like having
bushels of paper money

1320
01:05:23,169 --> 01:05:24,629
of diminishing value

1321
01:05:24,629 --> 01:05:26,379
when they could be offered
gold and silver

1322
01:05:26,381 --> 01:05:28,131
if they will trade it
with the British.

1323
01:05:28,133 --> 01:05:30,433
‐ And a lot of states
really hoarded their resources

1324
01:05:30,426 --> 01:05:32,676
in the event
that Britain decided

1325
01:05:32,679 --> 01:05:35,269
to make its next campaign
in their state.

1326
01:05:35,265 --> 01:05:37,225
‐ For Washington, it meant

1327
01:05:37,225 --> 01:05:41,015
that there was no end
to the shortages.

1328
01:05:41,020 --> 01:05:43,110
‐ He's begging the states.
He's begging Congress.

1329
01:05:43,106 --> 01:05:44,146
‐ "I need you to raise
more money

1330
01:05:44,149 --> 01:05:46,229
"so that I can feed
my soldiers,

1331
01:05:46,234 --> 01:05:48,194
"so that I can give them shoes,

1332
01:05:48,194 --> 01:05:50,244
"so that I can have
the proper amount of gunpowder

1333
01:05:50,238 --> 01:05:52,988
to actually be able to
fire my cannons."

1334
01:05:52,991 --> 01:05:55,951
‐ Many another person
in Washington's position

1335
01:05:55,952 --> 01:05:58,082
would have said,
"I can't do this.

1336
01:05:58,079 --> 01:06:00,369
"If you're not gonna give me
the resources to win,

1337
01:06:00,373 --> 01:06:02,253
then I'm not gonna take this."

1338
01:06:02,250 --> 01:06:05,000
But Washington had committed
himself personally to this,

1339
01:06:05,003 --> 01:06:06,713
and he was gonna see it
through to the end.

1340
01:06:06,713 --> 01:06:08,173
♪♪♪

1341
01:06:08,173 --> 01:06:10,303
‐ And so, too, will Martha,

1342
01:06:10,300 --> 01:06:13,890
who arrives in Valley Forge
two months into winter quarters

1343
01:06:13,887 --> 01:06:17,677
to support her husband
and the cause.

1344
01:06:17,682 --> 01:06:19,682
‐ Martha Washington visits
George Washington

1345
01:06:19,684 --> 01:06:21,484
in every encampment
during the war.

1346
01:06:21,477 --> 01:06:24,187
‐ And she joins him for some
of the roughest campaigns,

1347
01:06:24,189 --> 01:06:26,519
and for long winters,
she's there.

1348
01:06:26,524 --> 01:06:29,114
‐ Martha is
no chimney corner wife.

1349
01:06:29,110 --> 01:06:33,740
She's not going to go
and sit and knit for him.

1350
01:06:33,740 --> 01:06:36,490
She assists on taking
a visible role in camp.

1351
01:06:36,492 --> 01:06:38,542
‐ Martha leads by example.

1352
01:06:38,536 --> 01:06:42,826
She's tending to the sick,
and she's receiving people,

1353
01:06:42,832 --> 01:06:44,962
so she's also sort of working
the diplomatic relations

1354
01:06:44,959 --> 01:06:46,419
for Washington.

1355
01:06:46,419 --> 01:06:48,549
‐ They both shared
that powerful sense

1356
01:06:48,546 --> 01:06:50,466
that the people needed them,

1357
01:06:50,465 --> 01:06:52,755
and it was this duty
and the sacrifice

1358
01:06:52,759 --> 01:06:55,089
and service
that was part of the cause.

1359
01:06:55,094 --> 01:06:57,974
‐ She had an impact
on headquarters

1360
01:06:57,972 --> 01:07:00,682
and on the general morale
of people who were there,

1361
01:07:00,683 --> 01:07:02,483
and I think was important

1362
01:07:02,477 --> 01:07:04,807
as a figure that Washington
could trust

1363
01:07:04,812 --> 01:07:07,442
in a way that possibly
he couldn't trust anyone else.

1364
01:07:07,440 --> 01:07:08,690
[ door opens ]

1365
01:07:11,236 --> 01:07:12,946
‐ Is it any better?
[ wind howling ]

1366
01:07:12,946 --> 01:07:17,196
‐ Worse.
And still Congress does nothing.

1367
01:07:17,200 --> 01:07:18,740
‐ Perhaps
they do not understand

1368
01:07:18,743 --> 01:07:20,753
the severity of the situation.

1369
01:07:20,745 --> 01:07:22,905
‐ I have written
letter after letter.

1370
01:07:22,914 --> 01:07:26,174
They understand well enough.

1371
01:07:26,167 --> 01:07:30,207
‐ Then they think an army can
survive without food.

1372
01:07:30,213 --> 01:07:33,723
‐ Their failure
is not malice, my dear.

1373
01:07:33,716 --> 01:07:37,966
It is a deeper matter,
a fault in their constitution.

1374
01:07:37,971 --> 01:07:41,101
‐ You must take care
that their failure

1375
01:07:41,099 --> 01:07:43,729
does not become yours.

1376
01:07:43,726 --> 01:07:46,896
‐ Yes.

1377
01:07:46,896 --> 01:07:49,436
My reputation may well not
survive this.

1378
01:07:51,359 --> 01:07:54,069
That cannot be my concern now.

1379
01:07:54,070 --> 01:07:56,490
It is the men,

1380
01:07:56,489 --> 01:07:58,829
this starving army.

1381
01:07:58,825 --> 01:08:02,115
I'm at my wits' end
about what to do for them.

1382
01:08:02,120 --> 01:08:04,330
‐ Well...

1383
01:08:04,330 --> 01:08:08,580
if there's one thing
I know about you,

1384
01:08:08,584 --> 01:08:11,094
it is that you are
simply too determined

1385
01:08:11,087 --> 01:08:14,417
to concede defeat.

1386
01:08:14,424 --> 01:08:17,344
You will find another way.

1387
01:08:17,343 --> 01:08:22,813
♪♪♪

1388
01:08:22,807 --> 01:08:26,557
‐ "Friends, countrymen,
and fellow citizens,

1389
01:08:26,561 --> 01:08:29,061
"it is to be feared
that so large an army

1390
01:08:29,063 --> 01:08:31,193
may suffer for the want
of provisions."

1391
01:08:31,190 --> 01:08:32,860
‐ After having written

1392
01:08:32,859 --> 01:08:35,399
hundreds of pages of letters
to Congress,

1393
01:08:35,403 --> 01:08:38,073
Washington flexes
his political muscle

1394
01:08:38,072 --> 01:08:41,032
and makes a direct appeal
to the people.

1395
01:08:41,034 --> 01:08:43,794
His open letters
are printed in papers

1396
01:08:43,786 --> 01:08:46,536
across the states.

1397
01:08:46,539 --> 01:08:48,999
‐ "It is therefore recommended

1398
01:08:49,000 --> 01:08:50,040
"to the inhabitants
of those states

1399
01:08:50,043 --> 01:08:52,213
"to put up
and feed immediately

1400
01:08:52,211 --> 01:08:55,971
as many of their stock cattle
as they can spare."

1401
01:08:55,965 --> 01:08:58,925
‐ He then invites the
congressional delegates to camp

1402
01:08:58,926 --> 01:09:02,256
so they can witness the misery
of his army firsthand.

1403
01:09:04,098 --> 01:09:07,348
‐ Delegates to Congress‐‐
they recognize now

1404
01:09:07,352 --> 01:09:09,482
that things really are
just as desperate

1405
01:09:09,479 --> 01:09:11,689
as Washington
has portrayed them.

1406
01:09:11,689 --> 01:09:15,189
‐ They also discover
something else‐‐

1407
01:09:15,193 --> 01:09:17,573
an army being held together

1408
01:09:17,570 --> 01:09:22,620
against tremendous odds
by one man.

1409
01:09:22,617 --> 01:09:26,617
‐ He can win this war if he can
keep his army together.

1410
01:09:26,621 --> 01:09:28,921
Valley Forge was all about

1411
01:09:28,915 --> 01:09:32,085
preventing his soldiers
from saying, "I quit."

1412
01:09:32,085 --> 01:09:35,335
‐ The impact of Washington's
dedication at Valley Forge

1413
01:09:35,338 --> 01:09:37,298
is huge.

1414
01:09:37,298 --> 01:09:40,048
‐ He was there with them.
He shared their hardship.

1415
01:09:40,051 --> 01:09:42,931
and he showed them that
they could get through this.

1416
01:09:42,929 --> 01:09:45,559
‐ When soldiers see
their officers with them,

1417
01:09:45,556 --> 01:09:47,636
eating the same lousy food,

1418
01:09:47,642 --> 01:09:49,732
getting the same
lousy amount of sleep,

1419
01:09:49,727 --> 01:09:51,687
living in the same
awful conditions,

1420
01:09:51,687 --> 01:09:53,727
"then my officers can do it,
I can do it."

1421
01:09:53,731 --> 01:09:55,781
That's what leadership's
all about.

1422
01:09:55,775 --> 01:09:59,105
‐ Valley Forge was the light
in the darkness

1423
01:09:59,112 --> 01:10:05,202
because Washington
had the courage to endure.

1424
01:10:05,201 --> 01:10:10,671
‐ This is Washingtonian‐‐
"Survive and you shall succeed."

1425
01:10:10,665 --> 01:10:12,665
They survived.

1426
01:10:12,667 --> 01:10:14,997
‐ As does Washington's command.

1427
01:10:15,002 --> 01:10:18,382
After months of whispers,
the talk of General Gates

1428
01:10:18,381 --> 01:10:22,011
replacing Washington
is no more.

1429
01:10:22,009 --> 01:10:24,139
‐ The great majority
of the officers in the army

1430
01:10:24,137 --> 01:10:27,097
stand by Washington.

1431
01:10:27,098 --> 01:10:28,638
And they make it clear
to Congress

1432
01:10:28,641 --> 01:10:30,941
that if they wanna keep
an army together,

1433
01:10:30,935 --> 01:10:33,975
it has to be kept together
under Washington.

1434
01:10:33,980 --> 01:10:36,440
♪♪♪

1435
01:10:36,441 --> 01:10:42,491
‐ An estimated 2,000 men
ultimately die at Valley Forge.

1436
01:10:42,488 --> 01:10:44,528
But when spring arrives,

1437
01:10:44,532 --> 01:10:50,082
Washington has some
10,000 soldiers fit to fight,

1438
01:10:50,079 --> 01:10:54,129
and he's received word
that help is on the way.

1439
01:10:56,002 --> 01:10:57,462
[ door squeaks ]

1440
01:10:57,462 --> 01:10:59,382
‐ You summoned me, General.

1441
01:10:59,380 --> 01:11:02,260
‐ I have something here
you may find of interest.

1442
01:11:07,764 --> 01:11:09,814
‐ [ chuckles ] Is it true?

1443
01:11:09,807 --> 01:11:11,227
‐ It would appear

1444
01:11:11,225 --> 01:11:13,435
that Mr. Franklin has
finally done it.

1445
01:11:14,812 --> 01:11:16,652
‐ [ grunts ]

1446
01:11:16,647 --> 01:11:19,067
King Louis has seen reason.

1447
01:11:19,066 --> 01:11:20,986
‐ Yes.

1448
01:11:20,985 --> 01:11:22,945
An alliance.

1449
01:11:22,945 --> 01:11:25,235
‐ For years, the colonies
have sought an ally

1450
01:11:25,239 --> 01:11:27,659
with the power to rival Britain.

1451
01:11:27,658 --> 01:11:31,328
In the spring of 1778,
they get one

1452
01:11:31,329 --> 01:11:35,209
when Benjamin Franklin brokers
a treaty between America

1453
01:11:35,208 --> 01:11:39,298
and England's greatest rival,
France.

1454
01:11:39,295 --> 01:11:41,545
‐ With luck, your countrymen
will soon be fighting

1455
01:11:41,547 --> 01:11:43,837
by our side.
This is certainly welcome news.

1456
01:11:43,841 --> 01:11:46,551
‐ Oh, <i>oui.</i> And to see
King George's face

1457
01:11:46,552 --> 01:11:48,302
when he hears.

1458
01:11:48,304 --> 01:11:50,014
But a toast...

1459
01:11:50,014 --> 01:11:51,934
We must have a toast.
‐ Of course.

1460
01:11:51,933 --> 01:11:55,443
‐ France is impressed
by Washington's ability

1461
01:11:55,436 --> 01:11:56,896
to keep his army going.

1462
01:11:56,896 --> 01:11:58,146
‐ For the Americans,
it's a huge moment

1463
01:11:58,147 --> 01:12:01,567
because now
they have this major empire

1464
01:12:01,567 --> 01:12:04,777
giving vital support
and supplies and funds.

1465
01:12:04,779 --> 01:12:07,109
‐ Washington finally sees hope.

1466
01:12:07,114 --> 01:12:11,874
He begins now to think
of a final campaign

1467
01:12:11,869 --> 01:12:14,579
in ending the war
in one fell swoop.

1468
01:12:14,580 --> 01:12:16,830
‐ [ speaks French ]

1469
01:12:16,833 --> 01:12:18,463
[ glasses clink ]

1470
01:12:18,459 --> 01:12:20,709
[ speaks French ]

1471
01:12:20,711 --> 01:12:21,961
[ clink ]

1472
01:12:21,963 --> 01:12:27,133
♪♪♪

1473
01:12:27,885 --> 01:12:36,635
♪♪♪

1474
01:12:36,644 --> 01:12:37,814
‐ Sir.

1475
01:12:37,812 --> 01:12:41,072
‐ Thank you, Billy.

1476
01:12:41,065 --> 01:12:43,275
‐ In May of 1778,

1477
01:12:43,276 --> 01:12:45,396
with the desperate winter
behind him

1478
01:12:45,403 --> 01:12:47,663
and the French now on his side,

1479
01:12:47,655 --> 01:12:49,945
General George Washington
is looking ahead

1480
01:12:49,949 --> 01:12:52,289
to the next phase of the war.

1481
01:12:52,285 --> 01:12:54,365
‐ Major General Arnold
is here, sir.

1482
01:12:54,370 --> 01:12:56,250
‐ Send him in.

1483
01:12:56,247 --> 01:12:59,327
‐ But first, he has
a thank you to bestow

1484
01:12:59,333 --> 01:13:02,883
on the hero of Saratoga.

1485
01:13:02,879 --> 01:13:04,209
[ door squeaks ]

1486
01:13:06,257 --> 01:13:08,467
‐ I traveled here
as soon as I could.

1487
01:13:08,467 --> 01:13:10,757
‐ It is certainly good
to see you doing so well.

1488
01:13:10,761 --> 01:13:13,221
‐ For the past seven months,

1489
01:13:13,222 --> 01:13:15,352
Benedict Arnold has been
working his way back

1490
01:13:15,349 --> 01:13:18,639
from the injury he suffered
at Saratoga

1491
01:13:18,644 --> 01:13:20,314
when his horse fell on him
in battle.

1492
01:13:20,313 --> 01:13:22,023
[ horse whinnies ]

1493
01:13:22,023 --> 01:13:26,743
His left leg is now 2 inches
shorter than the right.

1494
01:13:26,736 --> 01:13:30,356
‐ My, uh, recovery took longer
than I would have hoped.

1495
01:13:30,364 --> 01:13:32,164
And there is still some
difficulty atop a horse,

1496
01:13:32,158 --> 01:13:34,658
but I'm eager to return
to the field.

1497
01:13:34,660 --> 01:13:37,000
‐ As we are to have you.

1498
01:13:36,996 --> 01:13:39,326
Did you receive the epaulets
and sword that I sent you?

1499
01:13:39,332 --> 01:13:42,042
‐ I did. They were,
uh, very much appreciated.

1500
01:13:42,043 --> 01:13:43,793
‐ A gentleman from France
recently sent me

1501
01:13:43,794 --> 01:13:45,344
three sets of them.

1502
01:13:45,338 --> 01:13:47,088
I was instructed to keep one
for myself

1503
01:13:47,089 --> 01:13:49,929
and impart the others on men
of deserving character.

1504
01:13:49,926 --> 01:13:51,336
‐ Thank you, sir.

1505
01:13:51,344 --> 01:13:54,564
‐ You have deserved them
twice over.

1506
01:13:54,555 --> 01:13:55,925
‐ Thank you.

1507
01:13:58,351 --> 01:14:00,441
‐ Something seems
to trouble you, Major General.

1508
01:14:01,354 --> 01:14:03,114
‐ [ sighs ]

1509
01:14:03,105 --> 01:14:05,435
I do not wish you to think me
ungrateful.

1510
01:14:05,441 --> 01:14:08,991
The epaulets were
a fine gesture.

1511
01:14:08,986 --> 01:14:11,986
But I've sacrificed my fortune,

1512
01:14:11,989 --> 01:14:16,119
my blood. I have...

1513
01:14:16,118 --> 01:14:19,498
I've become a cripple
in the service of my country.

1514
01:14:19,497 --> 01:14:22,207
I believe I have earned more.

1515
01:14:22,208 --> 01:14:25,088
♪♪♪

1516
01:14:25,086 --> 01:14:28,336
‐ Washington clearly felt
that Arnold was worthy,

1517
01:14:28,339 --> 01:14:30,419
but Congress
in its wisdom decided

1518
01:14:30,424 --> 01:14:32,804
not to give Arnold a promotion.

1519
01:14:32,802 --> 01:14:35,222
‐ He's getting passed over
for all these other people

1520
01:14:35,221 --> 01:14:37,521
with political connections
to Congress.

1521
01:14:37,515 --> 01:14:38,925
And even when he gets
promotions,

1522
01:14:38,933 --> 01:14:41,813
he doesn't get the commands
he wants.

1523
01:14:41,811 --> 01:14:46,151
‐ I understand
your frustrations.

1524
01:14:46,148 --> 01:14:48,608
But Congress moves slowly,

1525
01:14:48,609 --> 01:14:52,409
and politics have a way
of complicating things.

1526
01:14:52,405 --> 01:14:56,735
Know that I do not
question your value,

1527
01:14:56,742 --> 01:15:00,582
and I learned as a young man,

1528
01:15:00,579 --> 01:15:03,079
patience is a virtue.

1529
01:15:03,082 --> 01:15:04,332
‐ Patience?

1530
01:15:07,003 --> 01:15:08,963
[ exhales deeply ]

1531
01:15:08,963 --> 01:15:11,093
I will take my leave then, sir.

1532
01:15:11,090 --> 01:15:12,050
‐ Of course.

1533
01:15:15,261 --> 01:15:25,901
♪♪♪

1534
01:15:25,896 --> 01:15:28,106
‐ Arnold is stewing.

1535
01:15:28,107 --> 01:15:30,607
He's getting over his injury.

1536
01:15:30,609 --> 01:15:33,649
Congress still hasn't repaid him
for money that he fronted

1537
01:15:33,654 --> 01:15:36,124
at the beginning of the war.
He's in debt.

1538
01:15:36,115 --> 01:15:38,235
♪♪♪

1539
01:15:38,242 --> 01:15:43,042
‐ So, Arnold began to wonder,
"Why am I doing this?

1540
01:15:43,039 --> 01:15:44,749
"Is this country living up

1541
01:15:44,749 --> 01:15:46,919
to the commitments
it's made to me?"

1542
01:15:46,917 --> 01:15:48,747
♪♪♪

1543
01:15:48,753 --> 01:15:51,713
‐ In June of 1778,

1544
01:15:51,714 --> 01:15:55,384
Washington offers
a new opportunity

1545
01:15:55,384 --> 01:15:59,564
that has the potential
to advance Arnold's career.

1546
01:15:59,555 --> 01:16:03,845
With the French and their navy
now on America's side,

1547
01:16:03,851 --> 01:16:06,811
the redcoats have
abandoned Philadelphia

1548
01:16:06,812 --> 01:16:10,482
to reinforce their troops
in New York.

1549
01:16:10,483 --> 01:16:13,693
‐ After the British evacuate,

1550
01:16:13,694 --> 01:16:17,994
Washington puts Arnold
in command of Philadelphia.

1551
01:16:17,990 --> 01:16:19,660
‐ [ exhales deeply ]

1552
01:16:19,658 --> 01:16:21,658
‐ Washington saw Arnold
as a kind of project,

1553
01:16:21,660 --> 01:16:24,620
someone, uh, that if nurtured,

1554
01:16:24,622 --> 01:16:29,002
could become a truly spectacular
balanced leader.

1555
01:16:29,001 --> 01:16:34,721
‐ Ah, William.
Welcome to Philadelphia.

1556
01:16:34,715 --> 01:16:37,085
‐ But once military governor
of Philadelphia,

1557
01:16:37,093 --> 01:16:39,553
Arnold decided
it was time for him

1558
01:16:39,553 --> 01:16:41,763
to begin to profit
from this war.

1559
01:16:41,764 --> 01:16:43,184
And so he began to launch

1560
01:16:43,182 --> 01:16:46,062
into a series
of investment schemes.

1561
01:16:46,060 --> 01:16:49,560
‐ This is what we spoke about?

1562
01:16:49,563 --> 01:16:53,403
‐ He is accused of corruption.

1563
01:16:53,400 --> 01:16:55,030
♪♪♪

1564
01:16:55,027 --> 01:16:57,527
He has to go
through a court‐martial

1565
01:16:57,530 --> 01:17:00,320
which largely finds him
innocent

1566
01:17:00,324 --> 01:17:03,494
but also gives him a slap
on the wrist.

1567
01:17:03,494 --> 01:17:06,464
Arnold can't stand it.

1568
01:17:06,455 --> 01:17:08,615
‐ And so he became embittered
over time,

1569
01:17:08,624 --> 01:17:11,794
much in the way we saw a young
Washington become embittered,

1570
01:17:11,794 --> 01:17:13,504
but Washington‐‐
he didn't hold on

1571
01:17:13,504 --> 01:17:15,014
to the vestiges of the past,

1572
01:17:15,005 --> 01:17:18,965
whereas Arnold tended
to his grudges like a garden.

1573
01:17:18,968 --> 01:17:20,508
[ birds chirping ]

1574
01:17:20,511 --> 01:17:23,811
‐ In spring 1779,

1575
01:17:23,806 --> 01:17:27,096
Arnold sows the seeds
of betrayal

1576
01:17:27,101 --> 01:17:30,601
by making contact
with British intelligence.

1577
01:17:30,604 --> 01:17:33,574
‐ Arnold had sent a letter
to John André,

1578
01:17:33,566 --> 01:17:37,486
who was a British officer,
offered some information.

1579
01:17:37,486 --> 01:17:40,026
He was kind of ignored.

1580
01:17:40,030 --> 01:17:42,030
♪♪♪

1581
01:17:42,032 --> 01:17:43,952
‐ This just arrived for you.

1582
01:17:46,120 --> 01:17:48,910
‐ His wife, Peggy Shippen,
had been in Philadelphia

1583
01:17:48,914 --> 01:17:50,624
during the British occupation

1584
01:17:50,624 --> 01:17:53,384
and had been good friends
with John André.

1585
01:17:55,421 --> 01:17:57,211
‐ What does it say?

1586
01:17:57,214 --> 01:17:59,804
‐ Instructions.
[ clears throat ]

1587
01:17:59,800 --> 01:18:03,300
A list of things I would
have interest in,

1588
01:18:03,304 --> 01:18:05,394
and he wishes to meet
in person.

1589
01:18:05,389 --> 01:18:08,019
‐ Well, that is good, is it not?

1590
01:18:08,017 --> 01:18:10,267
Major André is a good man.

1591
01:18:10,269 --> 01:18:12,979
You can trust him.
‐ That is not what worries me.

1592
01:18:12,980 --> 01:18:14,770
‐ Then what?

1593
01:18:14,773 --> 01:18:16,943
‐ Dispatches, troop orders,

1594
01:18:16,942 --> 01:18:19,612
officer assignments,
and battle plans,

1595
01:18:19,612 --> 01:18:22,782
insights
into Washington himself‐‐

1596
01:18:22,781 --> 01:18:26,331
all these things I can provide
with certainty.

1597
01:18:26,327 --> 01:18:29,457
These are things other men
could provide as well.

1598
01:18:29,455 --> 01:18:32,165
If I'm to make this leak,

1599
01:18:32,166 --> 01:18:33,576
I must have assurances
of my position,

1600
01:18:33,584 --> 01:18:35,464
and that can only be guaranteed

1601
01:18:35,461 --> 01:18:38,761
by bringing with me something
no one else could deliver.

1602
01:18:38,756 --> 01:18:41,376
‐ And so Arnold started
navigating his way

1603
01:18:41,383 --> 01:18:43,763
to getting command
of West Point.

1604
01:18:43,761 --> 01:18:46,471
‐ [ exhales deeply ]

1605
01:18:46,472 --> 01:18:47,932
♪♪♪

1606
01:18:47,932 --> 01:18:50,482
‐ Located 50 miles north
of New York City,

1607
01:18:50,476 --> 01:18:54,186
West Point is a massive
fortification project.

1608
01:18:54,188 --> 01:18:56,518
Washington believes
its defenses

1609
01:18:56,523 --> 01:18:59,243
are the most important piece
of strategic real estate

1610
01:18:59,235 --> 01:19:02,145
in the patriot arsenal.

1611
01:19:02,154 --> 01:19:03,914
The key to keeping the British

1612
01:19:03,906 --> 01:19:06,486
from the goal they've been
unable to achieve

1613
01:19:06,492 --> 01:19:08,702
in three years of the war‐‐

1614
01:19:08,702 --> 01:19:11,832
total domination of the Hudson.

1615
01:19:11,830 --> 01:19:14,080
‐ If the British capture
West Point,

1616
01:19:14,083 --> 01:19:17,673
they may well be able to capture
the entire Hudson River

1617
01:19:17,670 --> 01:19:20,300
and decapitate the revolution.

1618
01:19:20,297 --> 01:19:24,217
‐ West Point is also key
to Washington's strategy

1619
01:19:24,218 --> 01:19:27,968
for an assault on
British‐occupied New York City.

1620
01:19:27,972 --> 01:19:30,392
The battle plan includes
a field command

1621
01:19:30,391 --> 01:19:32,811
for Benedict Arnold.

1622
01:19:32,810 --> 01:19:34,400
‐ And there's
an interesting moment

1623
01:19:34,395 --> 01:19:37,725
where he's finally offered
something of a promotion,

1624
01:19:37,731 --> 01:19:39,901
and he says,

1625
01:19:39,900 --> 01:19:42,700
"No, actually, I'd rather be
given command of West Point,"

1626
01:19:42,695 --> 01:19:45,405
which ultimately baffles
Washington like, "What?

1627
01:19:45,406 --> 01:19:47,316
"Like, if you're all
of this ambition,

1628
01:19:47,324 --> 01:19:49,084
"I'm giving you
a better position,

1629
01:19:49,076 --> 01:19:51,116
and you just wanna be
in charge of West Point?"

1630
01:19:51,120 --> 01:19:53,790
Now, of course, no one has
any reason to know

1631
01:19:53,789 --> 01:19:55,669
<i>why</i> he's doing that.

1632
01:19:55,666 --> 01:19:58,126
‐ By the time Washington agrees,

1633
01:19:58,127 --> 01:20:01,047
Arnold's already been sharing
secrets with the British

1634
01:20:01,046 --> 01:20:03,046
for more than a year.

1635
01:20:03,048 --> 01:20:05,928
But he stands to earn
20,000 pounds,

1636
01:20:05,926 --> 01:20:08,006
a lifetime pension,

1637
01:20:08,012 --> 01:20:09,932
and a British officer's
commission

1638
01:20:09,930 --> 01:20:13,730
if he can deliver West Point
which he plans to do

1639
01:20:13,726 --> 01:20:18,936
by sabotaging
the fort's defenses from within.

1640
01:20:18,939 --> 01:20:23,069
‐ And just as Arnold
is about to close the deal,

1641
01:20:23,068 --> 01:20:24,608
the plot is revealed.

1642
01:20:24,611 --> 01:20:26,491
‐ André has made his way
up the Hudson

1643
01:20:26,488 --> 01:20:28,618
for a secret meeting
with Arnold.

1644
01:20:28,615 --> 01:20:30,865
However,
André on his way back

1645
01:20:30,868 --> 01:20:32,948
is captured by some militia.

1646
01:20:32,953 --> 01:20:35,713
People begin to realize
something is up.

1647
01:20:35,706 --> 01:20:39,206
‐ When Arnold's betrayal
is discovered,

1648
01:20:39,209 --> 01:20:42,759
Washington and his immediate
staff are headed to Arnold

1649
01:20:42,755 --> 01:20:43,835
to his home.

1650
01:20:43,839 --> 01:20:46,179
So, Arnold flees.

1651
01:20:46,175 --> 01:20:48,925
And little by little,
these letters are coming in

1652
01:20:48,927 --> 01:20:51,887
that are revealing
to Washington and his staff

1653
01:20:51,889 --> 01:20:53,849
that Arnold has betrayed
the nation.

1654
01:20:53,849 --> 01:20:55,889
He's committed treason.
He's turned to the British.

1655
01:20:55,893 --> 01:20:59,773
♪♪♪

1656
01:20:59,772 --> 01:21:02,232
‐ You are going to want
to see this.

1657
01:21:02,232 --> 01:21:04,442
‐ A British intelligence officer
was captured this morning.

1658
01:21:04,443 --> 01:21:07,993
‐ This was found hidden
in his boot.

1659
01:21:07,988 --> 01:21:09,448
‐ Traitorous bastard.

1660
01:21:09,448 --> 01:21:11,408
‐ Much as the action sickens
as we are

1661
01:21:11,408 --> 01:21:15,368
fortunate to have discovered all
the plot now and not later.

1662
01:21:15,371 --> 01:21:18,791
‐ Another week, and we would
have lost West Point.

1663
01:21:18,791 --> 01:21:21,291
‐ We will make him pay.
Believe me.

1664
01:21:21,293 --> 01:21:23,383
‐ He could not have gotten far.

1665
01:21:23,379 --> 01:21:25,299
‐ I will take
our best trackers.

1666
01:21:25,297 --> 01:21:27,877
You need only say the word.

1667
01:21:28,759 --> 01:21:30,389
‐ Sir?

1668
01:21:32,554 --> 01:21:34,014
‐ Sir?

1669
01:21:36,100 --> 01:21:38,600
‐ Go.

1670
01:21:38,602 --> 01:21:41,562
Get him.

1671
01:21:41,563 --> 01:21:43,193
Now.

1672
01:21:45,025 --> 01:21:49,985
[ footsteps depart ]

1673
01:21:49,988 --> 01:21:52,118
‐ On the next "Washington"...

1674
01:21:52,116 --> 01:21:56,616
‐ The treason of Arnold is
a lightning bolt for Americans.

1675
01:21:56,620 --> 01:21:59,290
‐ Burn it all.
‐ Everybody wants him dead.

1676
01:21:59,289 --> 01:22:00,919
♪♪♪

1677
01:22:00,916 --> 01:22:03,376
‐ We expected to risk
our lives for free?

1678
01:22:03,377 --> 01:22:04,747
‐ No.
‐ No.

1679
01:22:04,753 --> 01:22:06,463
‐ Mutiny is like a virus.

1680
01:22:06,463 --> 01:22:08,473
It will infect
the whole organization.

1681
01:22:08,465 --> 01:22:11,585
‐ [ all shout indistinctly ]

1682
01:22:11,593 --> 01:22:14,973
‐ Force the soldiers back
into line. Execute the leader.

1683
01:22:14,972 --> 01:22:16,352
‐ Fire!

1684
01:22:16,348 --> 01:22:18,978
[ explosions ]

1685
01:22:18,976 --> 01:22:21,476
‐ History is written
by the winners.

1686
01:22:21,478 --> 01:22:23,518
‐ Increase our bombardment.

1687
01:22:23,522 --> 01:22:25,902
We can't allow the British
to rebuild their fortifications.

1688
01:22:25,899 --> 01:22:27,189
‐ [ shouts indistinctly ]

1689
01:22:27,192 --> 01:22:29,282
‐ Yorktown is really
the culmination

1690
01:22:29,278 --> 01:22:31,318
of Washington as a leader.

1691
01:22:31,321 --> 01:22:33,951
‐ [ men yelling ]
‐ I do solemnly swear...

1692
01:22:33,949 --> 01:22:35,949
‐ When he assumes
the presidency,

1693
01:22:35,951 --> 01:22:37,911
he has everything to lose.

1694
01:22:37,911 --> 01:22:41,671
‐ I did not want this.

1695
01:22:41,665 --> 01:22:44,035
‐ The really critical editors
would deliver three copies

1696
01:22:44,042 --> 01:22:46,922
of their paper
just to piss him off.

1697
01:22:46,920 --> 01:22:48,840
‐ Good! I should rather be
in my grave

1698
01:22:48,839 --> 01:22:50,719
than be made emperor
of this world!

1699
01:22:50,716 --> 01:22:52,836
‐ He decided to step down
after two terms

1700
01:22:52,843 --> 01:22:55,353
because that's not
what dictators do.

1701
01:22:55,345 --> 01:22:57,715
It's just as revolutionary
as the war itself.

1702
01:22:57,723 --> 01:23:00,483
♪♪♪