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EXTERIOR ROAD FROM PHILADELPHIA - DAY
GEORGE WASHINGTON, CHARLES LEE, PHILIP SCHUYLER, THOMAS MIFFLIN, and JOSEPH REED are riding horses, accompanied by an honor guard and servants along the road from Philadelphia to New York.
CHARLES LEE
It was Mrs. Schuyler
who nursed me back to health.
SCHUYLER
Yes, that is my aunt in New York.
MIFFLIN
General Lee,
you certainly have fought in many wars.
CHARLES LEE
If the late William Johnson's sons
get the Iroquois to fight against us,
we are in trouble.
The enemy in the Hudson River valley and New York
could divide the continent in two.
WASHINGTON
That is why I want General Schuyler here
to take command in New York.
REED
But the British are bottled up in Boston now, sir.
WASHINGTON
That will not last long.
Besides, we may drive them out of there.
The travelers are met by a COURIER galloping towards them.
CHARLES LEE
Stop!
Where are you going in such haste?
COURIER
I carry a message from the Colonial Army at Boston
to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.
WASHINGTON
We are on our way from Congress to the Army.
SCHUYLER
The Continental Congress has adopted your Army, sir.
And George Washington here has been named
Commander-in-Chief of the new Union's forces.
WASHINGTON
Tell us quickly, man, what is the situation?
COURIER
There has been a bloody battle, sir.
Our men took Breed's Hill at night,
but the next day the redcoats attacked us three times
before they finally drove us down Bunker Hill.
CHARLES LEE
How did the Americans stand up to the regulars?
COURIER
They were dug in, sir, and did not fire
until the redcoats were within thirty paces.
Then the carnage was tremendous.
One thousand British troops were killed,
while we lost less than five hundred.
WASHINGTON
Gentlemen, the liberties of the country are safe.
INT. CONGRESS OF THE PROVINCE OF NEW YORK - DAY
Super:
NEW YORK CONGRESS, JUNE 1775
Washington is speaking to the New York Congress.
WASHINGTON
Gentlemen of the Congress of New York.
At the same time that with you I deplore
the unhappy necessity of such an appointment
as that with which I am now honored,
I cannot but feel sentiments of the highest gratitude
for this affecting instance of distinction and regard.
May your every wish be realized
in the success of America
at this important and interesting period;
and be assured that every exertion
of my worthy colleagues and myself
will be equally extended
to the re-establishment of peace and harmony
between the Mother Country and these Colonies,
as to the fatal but necessary operations of war.
When we assumed the soldier,
we did not lay aside the citizen;
and we shall most sincerely rejoice with you
in that happy hour when
the establishment of American liberty,
upon the most firm and solid foundations,
shall enable us to return to our private stations
in the bosom of a free, peaceful and happy country.
Washington sits down, as the Congress applauds.
INT. LANGDON HOUSE IN CAMBRIDGE - DAY
Washington, Lee and the staff are welcomed by SAMUEL LANGDON, ARTEMAS WARD, and ISRAEL PUTNAM.
LANGDON
Welcome to Cambridge, General Washington.
The Massachusetts Provincial Congress,
of which I am President,
has voted to give you my house as a headquarters,
except for the one room I shall occupy.
WASHINGTON
That is most generous, but I feel it is---
LANGDON (Interrupting)
Please accept this, General,
at least until you make your own arrangements.
This is Artemas Ward,
the General in command heretofore.
WASHINGTON
I am most pleased to meet you, sir.
LANGDON
And this is Israel Putnam,
but the men call him "Old Put."
He left his plow in the field to join our cause.
Washington hands Putnam a paper.
WASHINGTON
Delighted.
This is from the Continental Congress.
You have been named a major general, sir.
PUTNAM
Thank you, and welcome.
WASHINGTON
Now I would like to see the camp as soon as possible.
WARD
By all means, General Washington,
and we can transfer the command whenever you wish.
EXT. ARMY CAMP OVERLOOKING BOSTON - DAY
Washington on horseback is examining the camp and fortifications, which for the most part are amateurish and motley. Everything seems to be rather informal and undisciplined.
WASHINGTON
These fortifications need to be improved.
I am ordering that breastworks be built
from Prospect Hill to the Mystick River.
CHARLES LEE
I agree, sir.
DISSOLVE TO:
Washington notices some well-regulated tents and signs of better discipline.
WASHINGTON
This is more like it.
Which regiment is this?
NATHANAEL GREENE approaches Washington on foot, limping slightly.
GREENE
My name is Nathanael Greene, sir.
We are from Rhode Island.
WASHINGTON
I appreciate your sense of discipline, sir.
We have much work ahead of us
to make these men function as an army.
INT. WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS IN CAMBRIDGE - DAY
Washington has gathered Charles Lee, Ward, Putnam, Greene, JOHN THOMAS, JOSEPH SPENCER, WILLIAM HEATH, HORATIO GATES, and JOSEPH TRUMBULL for a council of war.
WASHINGTON
Gentlemen, the latest returns show that
instead of eighteen or twenty thousand
we have only sixteen thousand six hundred men.
At what do you estimate the strength of the enemy?
WARD
Between ten and twelve thousand troops.
GREENE
My calculations are eleven thousand five hundred.
WASHINGTON
The question before this council of war is:
should we
with these half-trained and poorly disciplined men
keep up the siege and thus invite attack,
or would we be safer to retire from the range
of their heavy artillery on both land and sea?
PUTNAM
The Americans have guts and will fight, sir.
I think we should stay and attack.
GREENE
Old Put is right; the Colonials will fight.
Bunker Hill proved that beyond a doubt.
CHARLES LEE
The world is watching us intently.
A retreat at this time would greatly hurt our cause.
THOMAS
Besides, who knows what damage the British could do
rampaging around the countryside.
At least they are contained here in Boston.
SULLIVAN
Where else could we make a stand?
Here we have built up some defenses.
GREENE
We can train the men and maintain the siege.
WASHINGTON
Train an army under the cannons of the enemy?
It is rather unorthodox, but why not?
All right, we shall keep them in Boston
until they decide to pull out by sea.
But we must increase our numbers,
for our lines are vulnerable in many places.
How large an American force do you think we need?
WARD
I would say double that of the enemy,
say about twenty-two thousand.
CHARLES LEE
Yes, that is good.
The others agree.
WASHINGTON
I know there have been some resentments
about rank from the Congress's commissions.
I understand that and apologize.
I have written to the Congress
so that Mr. Thomas and Mr. Spencer
will have the proper ranks.
THOMAS
Thank you, sir.
None of us have a problem
with you or General Lee, sir.
WASHINGTON
Fine.
Here are the dispositions:
General Ward, you are to command the right,
with the Brigades of Thomas and Spencer.
Major General Putnam has the Central Grand Division,
with the Brigade of Heath and another to be organized.
On the left General Lee will command
the Brigades of Sullivan and Greene.
Joseph Trumbull is our Commissary General,
and Horatio Gates is serving as Adjutant General.
One more thing.
It has come to my attention
that instead of over three hundred barrels of powder
we have in fact less than one hundred.
CHARLES LEE
That cannot be.
WASHINGTON
I am afraid it is true,
and I must demand that
all of you keep this strictly secret.
WARD
That gives us only about nine cartridges per man.
WASHINGTON
You can imagine what might happen
if the British were to find out we are so low.
The world is waiting for us to make an attack,
but we cannot tell them that we lack ammunition
with which to carry out such an attack.
Meanwhile we must make every effort
to bring in fresh stores of gunpowder and arms.
We shall continue the blockade of Boston
and stop all deliveries by land.
We must also arm some coastal ships
and try to challenge their naval supremacy.
I want to see more training and better discipline
so that we can make an attack when we are ready.
INT. WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS IN CAMBRIDGE - DAY
Washington is conferring with Charles Lee.
CHARLES LEE
The court martial fined the thirty-three mutineers
and sentenced the leader to six days in jail.
WASHINGTON
Good; they need to learn obedience.
Reed comes in.
REED
General Washington, Benedict Arnold has arrived.
WASHINGTON
Good. Send him in.
Reed goes out, and BENEDICT ARNOLD comes in.
ARNOLD
General Washington, I am very glad to meet you.
WASHINGTON
We heard about your zeal in taking Ticonderoga
and in attacking and destroying Fort St. John.
CHARLES LEE
I understand there were some disagreements
in regard to who was in command.
Ethan Allen is quite a partisan,
but he is more a wild man than an officer.
ARNOLD
True. I had my commission from Massachusetts.
WASHINGTON
Let us have no more trouble on that account.
I have appointed General Schuyler
to command the Canadian expedition,
and I am asking for a Continental commission
for you, Benedict Arnold, as Colonel,
in order to join him in an attack on Montreal.
ARNOLD
I will do it, sir.
WASHINGTON
I have written an address to the people of Canada.
General Lee has corrected the French translation.
We must include these people in our cause
and respect their rights and liberties.
I instruct you especially not to ridicule
their Catholic religion or offend their priests.
ARNOLD
Yes, sir.
WASHINGTON
Not only does the success of this expedition
depend upon your conduct and courage
and that of the officers and soldiers,
but the safety and welfare of the whole continent.
CHARLES LEE
You should have a feeble enemy to contend with
and the whole province on your side.
WASHINGTON
Gates will give you the papers
for the construction of flatboats
and for the purchase of flour and meat.
INT. WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS IN CAMBRIDGE - DAY
Greene and a baker named GODFREY WAINWOOD come into Washington's office and close the door.
WASHINGTON
Brigadier Greene, what is this about,
that you wanted to see me privately?
Greene hands Washington two letters, one of which is written in cipher.
GREENE
This man obtained these letters from a woman
who wanted him to arrange for her to see
a British Captain Wallace of the H.M.S. Rose.
WAINWOOD
I had not opened the letter with the secret writing
when she sent me the second letter asking my help.
WASHINGTON
Who is this woman?
WAINWOOD
I knew her well in Boston before the war.
WASHINGTON
Brigadier, find that woman and bring her here
without drawing any special attention to her.
GREENE
Yes, sir.
INT. ROOM IN WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS - DAY
Washington is interrogating the WOMAN OF THE LETTERS.
WOMAN OF THE LETTERS
Please, sir, you have questioned me all night.
WASHINGTON
You must understand that
I could have you shot as a spy and a traitor
unless you tell us the truth about this.
WOMAN OF THE LETTERS
Will you let me go now
if I tell you who gave me the letter?
WASHINGTON
If the name you give is proven to be true, yes.
WOMAN OF THE LETTERS
It was Dr. Benjamin Church, sir.
INT. WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS IN CAMBRIDGE - DAY
A council of war is convened, and DR. BENJAMIN CHURCH is also present under guard.
WASHINGTON
Gentlemen, this is Dr. Benjamin Church,
the Director General of the Hospitals
and a member of the Massachusetts Congress.
He has admitted to writing this letter in code
to a Major Cane in Boston on his Majesty's service.
Dr. Church,
is our deciphering of your letter correct?
DR. CHURCH
Yes, it is.
WASHINGTON
What is your explanation for sending information
about our military position to a British officer?
DR. CHURCH
I hoped that it might deter the ministerial forces
from attacking us at a time
when our ammunition is low.
WASHINGTON
Then what is the meaning of this last line,
"Make use of every precaution or I perish."?
And why did you go to the trouble of a secret code?
DR. CHURCH
I cannot say.
WASHINGTON
Remove the prisoner.
The guards take Dr. Church out as he protests.
DR. CHURCH
I am loyal to the American cause;
please.
WASHINGTON
General Lee, did you research the military code
to see what punishment is proper?
CHARLES LEE
Yes. Article Fifty-one only authorizes cashiering,
a fine of two-months' pay or thirty-nine lashes.
For anything beyond that we will need instructions
from the Delegates in Philadelphia.
WASHINGTON
Pending that, he is to be closely confined
and denied all visitors except with my permission.
INT. WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS IN CAMBRIDGE - DAY
Washington is consulting with a delegation from Congress: BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, THOMAS LYNCH, and BENJAMIN HARRISON.
WASHINGTON
Mr. Harrison, it is very good to see you again.
BENJAMIN HARRISON
I believe you know Dr. Franklin of Pennsylvania,
and this is Thomas Lynch from South Carolina.
WASHINGTON
Please sit down, gentlemen.
How goes the Congress in Philadelphia?
FRANKLIN
Slowly, as usual.
WASHINGTON
I am glad to see someone from the Congress at last.
The pay to the soldiers is very irregular.
FRANKLIN
Yes, we read your letter of September twenty-first.
WASHINGTON
The Connecticut and Rhode Island troops
stand engaged to the first of December only,
and almost no one beyond the first of January.
Unless some provision is made to re-enlist for winter
or for another campaign,
this army will disband.
LYNCH
We saw that you are building winter quarters.
WASHINGTON
Yes, and we need clothing desperately.
Our advanced works and theirs
are within musket shots of each other.
We are bombarded daily without returning a shot
because of our scarcity of gunpowder.
BENJAMIN HARRISON
The Congress believes that an attack on Boston
before they receive reinforcements is called for.
WASHINGTON
I would like nothing better than to be able to attack,
but we must have more ammunition,
and the officers need more time to train the troops.
Do you think it is advisable for us
to destroy the British troops
wintering at Boston by bombardment,
when it could result in loss of property and the town?
FRANKLIN
That is too important to be determined by us.
President Hancock has valuable property in Boston.
BENJAMIN HARRISON
We shall refer that to Congress when we return.
WASHINGTON
I recently heard that four British vessels
under Captain Mowat have destroyed Falmouth,
including more than four hundred buildings.
Fortunately the residents had been evacuated.
Captain Mowat is rumored to have orders to burn
every seacoast town between Boston and Halifax.
I am sending General Sullivan to Portsmouth,
but I can only spare a few riflemen.
LYNCH
The British do command the seas.
FRANKLIN
We have at least begun to develop an American Navy.
WASHINGTON
Congress must decide how to sell captured prizes
and work out methods of exchanging prisoners.
I am afraid this is going to be a long war.
I have met with numerous difficulties,
but the cause we are engaged in is so just
that we must try to rise superior
to every obstacle in its support.
INT. WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS IN CAMBRIDGE - DAY
Aide-de-camp GEORGE BAYLOR comes in to Washington.
BAYLOR
General,
some Connecticut soldiers are leaving camp,
because their enlistment is up today
and they will not stay unless they get extra pay.
WASHINGTON
How dare they endanger our entire army!
Send out a force and bring them back.
Anyone departing before we get replacements
on December tenth is to be treated as a deserter.
BAYLOR
Yes, sir.
EXT. CONTINENTAL CAMP AT CAMBRIDGE IN SNOW - DAY
A group of Virginia riflemen, wearing hunting shirts and half-Indian garb, are walking by the barracks of the Marblehead militia who are mostly sailors and fishermen dressed in blue round-jackets and trousers.
MARBLEHEAD SOLDIER #1
Are you men soldiers or Indians?
RIFLEMAN #1
Riflemen, sir, from Virginia.
General Washington knows the value of hunting shirts.
How could you ever fight in those round jackets?
MARBLEHEAD SOLDIER #2
New Englanders like our round jackets, sir.
MARBLEHEAD SOLDIER #1
I will show you how we can fight.
He picks up some snow and throws a snowball at the riflemen. They too gather snowballs and throw them back. Soon a major melee has developed, as more and more soldiers join the fray, which has advanced to fisticuffs. Finally Washington rides up with a NEGRO SERVANT on a horse behind him. He dismounts quickly, handing the reins to the servant. He grabs TWO VIRGINIANS by the throat and holds them at arms length.
WASHINGTON
Stop, you fools!
What is this nonsense?!
FIRST VIRGINIAN
My God, it's General Washington!
SECOND VIRGINIAN
The New Englanders began it, sir.
WASHINGTON
I care not who began it; I am ending it.
Stop this useless fighting!
As soon as the others see and hear that it is General Washington, they immediately stop fighting and leave the scene. Only Washington and the two Virginians he is holding remain.
WASHINGTON (Cont'd.)
Save your blows for the British.
I thought Virginians would know better.
He lets them go.
INT. WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS IN CAMBRIDGE - DAY
A council of war has been convened with Washington, Ward, Putnam, Greene, Sullivan, Thomas and Heath. Paymaster JAMES WARREN and Congressman JOHN ADAMS are also attending.
WASHINGTON
The number of Continentals present and fit for duty
is now down to five thousand five hundred eighty-two.
Since expected British reinforcements are likely
to attack New York and occupy Long Island,
I have instructed and sent General Lee
to raise volunteers in Connecticut
and then to proceed to New York
where he is to gain assistance from New Jersey,
curb the disaffected on Long Island
and put New York City in the best posture of defense
the season and circumstances will allow.
JOHN ADAMS
What about Boston?
WASHINGTON
I have explained to you how weak our forces are.
But it is indispensable that we make a bold attempt
to conquer the ministerial troops in Boston,
before they can be reinforced in the spring.
What is the opinion of the war council?
PUTNAM
My men are ready to fight, sir.
GREENE
We did gain ammunition
from the taking of the Nancy.
JOHN ADAMS
I think we need to call up more militia.
Massachusetts could be asked for seven regiments,
Connecticut for four, and New Hampshire for two.
WARD
I think we should attack the lobsters
as soon as it is practicable.
WASHINGTON
I agree that with the new militias we could do it.
What about detaching a regiment
to reinforce our troops in Canada?
WARD
Given the current feeble state of our regiments,
I think that would be improper.
WASHINGTON
Mr. Adams, do you think we could ask
the New England colonies to put together a regiment?
JOHN ADAMS
To keep Canada on our side, I think so.
WASHINGTON
Good.
As to the attack on Boston,
we could take the Dorchester Heights at night,
but if the ground is still frozen,
we will need to place fascines and bundles of hay.
PUTNAM
We could also fill barrels with rocks and sand
to roll down the hill on the assaulting British.
WASHINGTON
Good.
I want all these prepared and ready
when we have enough troops for the maneuver.
WARD
What if the British forces assault us there?
WASHINGTON
I believe that we can repulse them.
I also want a strong force gathered at Lechmere
to cross in boats to attack Boston if desirable.
If we take Nook's Hill
on the Dorchester Peninsula,
our guns will be able to
compel them to quit Boston.
EXT. DORCHESTER HEIGHTS - FULL MOON NIGHT
Washington is overseeing the building of defenses amid the sounds of bombardment and occasional musket-firing.
WASHINGTON
The ground is no longer frozen.
General Thomas,
have the men cut down the orchards
to provide the abbatis for the breastworks.
THOMAS
Yes, sir.
EXT. DORCHESTER HEIGHTS - DAWN
The Continentals have built six fortifications. The British in Boston are amazed to see them and are firing their cannons at them, but their shots are falling short. Washington speaks to a small company of troops.
WASHINGTON
You know that today is the fifth of March.
I am sure we all can remember
what happened on this day six years ago
when the British shot down several citizens.
CONTINENTAL SOLDIER
We shall never forget the Boston Massacre, sir.
INT. WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS - RAINY DAY
Baylor reports to Washington.
BAYLOR
With this rainstorm continuing on,
the British have not launched their boats to attack us.
WASHINGTON
They may just be delaying it.
BAYLOR
We have a signal party on Noodle's Island.
WASHINGTON
Is there not one deserter or prisoner
or inhabitant of Boston to give us any intelligence?
BAYLOR
Not yet, sir.
WASHINGTON
Order the men to keep building the defenses.
Soon we will be able to take Nook's Hill.
When the wind calms down and the tide rises,
the lobsters may come over.
A knock is heard on the door. Baylor goes out and soon returns with COLONEL LEARNED who hands Washington a letter.
WASHINGTON
What is this?
LEARNED
A British major and three civilians gave it to me
under a flag of truce, sir.
Washington breaks the seal and reads the letter.
WASHINGTON
This is not addressed to anyone.
It says General Howe is determined to leave Boston.
He has no intention to destroy the town,
if his troops can depart unmolested.
But none of the names at the bottom are officers.
Colonel Learned, assemble the nearest generals.
LEARNED
Yes, sir.
INT. WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS IN CAMBRIDGE - DAY
Washington is conferring with Gates, Ward, Putnam, Greene,
Sullivan, and Learned.
WASHINGTON
If the British pull out of Boston by ship,
can we really do much damage to them?
PUTNAM
No, sir, not to moving targets at that distance.
WARD
Why would General Howe
not put the torch to Boston
for reasons of humanity;
I suspect treachery.
SULLIVAN
We have no commitment from him in that letter.
WASHINGTON
That is correct.
Colonel Learned, would you write a letter
saying that you presented this paper to me,
but since it is unauthenticated and without address,
that I took no notice of it?
LEARNED
Certainly, sir.
Baylor enters the room.
BAYLOR
Sir, a Captain Irvine has fresh intelligence.
WASHINGTON
Bring him in.
Baylor goes out and brings in the merchant CAPTAIN IRVINE.
WASHINGTON
What do you know, Captain?
IRVINE
My crew and I slipped out of Boston last night, sir.
The British will be leaving in the next day or two.
We saw troops moving artillery to the wharves.
The Tories are being allowed to leave on ships,
but they are lacking mariners,
and I suspect they will burn the extra vessels.
Your guns are doing great damage, sir;
there is blood everywhere.
If there had been no rainstorm,
they would have assaulted Dorchester on the sixth.
WASHINGTON
Thank you for the information, Captain.
Irvine goes out with Baylor.
WASHINGTON (Cont'd.)
Here is what we must do:
Fortify Nook's Hill at the first opportunity.
WARD
Howe may sail to Halifax to refit,
but he could go directly to New York.
WASHINGTON
Get some American troops ready
to march to New York.
Man all the headlands around Boston
in order to protect our flanks.
PUTNAM
What if the British fleet sails away?
WASHINGTON
Then find out which way they are going.
GREENE
We could build defenses at Boston harbor
to defend it from a returning fleet.
WASHINGTON
We shall consider it.
When the British start to pull out,
cease all firing against them,
unless they are burning the town.
WARD
A good plan, sir.
WASHINGTON
Colonel Learned, select five hundred men
who have experienced smallpox
to pass through British defenses and enter Boston.
INT. HANCOCK HOUSE IN BOSTON - DAY
Washington, Putnam, Ward, Gates, Heath, and Baylor are examining the condition of Hancock's house.
PUTNAM
That John Hancock has quite a house here.
WARD
There is no real damage to be seen.
WASHINGTON
General Gates, draft a formal proclamation
for the preservation of peace,
good order and discipline in Boston.
GATES
Yes, General.
WASHINGTON
General Heath,
prepare to march your brigade to New York.
HEATH
Yes, sir.
PUTNAM
Congratulations on a fine victory, General.
WASHINGTON
So far our losses are minimal.
WARD
Because of my bad health,
I am afraid that I must resign my commission now.
WASHINGTON
On behalf of our country, we can only
thank you for your services, General Ward.
INT. WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK - DAY
General Sullivan has been called to Washington's office.
SULLIVAN
Are you getting used to New York, sir?
WASHINGTON
It certainly is noisier than Cambridge.
SULLIVAN
Is your wife comfortable here?
WASHINGTON
Yes, thank you.
As you know, General Sullivan,
the Southern Department was given to General Lee,
and I have sent Brigadier Thompson up the Hudson
with four battalions to reinforce Canada.
Now Congress wants me to send six more regiments
to Canada to assure the capture of Quebec.
I am putting you in command of them.
SULLIVAN
Do you think General Howe will sail up
the St. Lawrence River to relieve Quebec?
WASHINGTON
He could;
but if he did, even your forces
would not be enough to possess the city.
Yet if he comes to New York, what we have here
will not be equal to his forces either.
SULLIVAN
The consensus is we need ten thousand men here, sir.
WASHINGTON
Yes. At least General Lee made a good beginning,
preparing New York defenses before he went south.
I am going to ask New York
and New Jersey for militia.
SULLIVAN
Good idea, sir.
INT. INDEPENDENCE HALL IN PHILADELPHIA - DAY
Washington is speaking to the Congress from the podium.
WASHINGTON
I know the great issue before this Congress now
is that of independence from Great Britain.
Our army in New York, in Canada, in the South
is willing to fight to preserve our rights.
To still cling to the notion that George III
or the British Parliament will change their ways
and restore the rights they have taken from us
is at this point to my mind the greatest folly.
Some murmurs of objections are heard.
WASHINGTON (Cont'd.)
Gentlemen, please.
I have sent you the proof
that the Government of Great Britain
has no intention of making peace with us.
On the eighteenth of May I received papers
from an escaped prisoner of war, George Merchant,
who was taken to England for trial and returned.
They are copies of treaties England made
for the employment of 17,000 German troops.
There can be no doubt that these mercenaries
are manifestly intended to be used in America
to quell what they call the "rebellion."
Merchant also had a letter addressed to Dr. Franklin
which states that fifteen British regiments
are now at sea or soon will be bound for America.
This letter tells us that the Ministry will have
30,000 troops in America by the end of June.
Are these the Peace Commissioners you wait for?
Rumbles of complaint are heard among the Congressmen.
WASHINGTON (Cont'd.)
If we are to resist such forces,
our people need to know why we are fighting
and that we have some government
by which we may control our own destinies.
America must expect a bloody summer
for which we are not prepared.
The force in Canada must be augmented
but not at the expense of our army in New York.
Since you will not provide a bounty to enlist
for a term of years or for the duration of the war,
we need 20,000 militia from the northern Colonies
and a flying camp of 10,000 from the middle Colonies,
and for at least until the end of the year.
Washington sits down, and President Hancock resumes the podium.
HANCOCK
Thank you, General Washington,
for your unremitted attention to our cause
in making plans for the defense of the Colonies.
INT. WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK - DAY
Washington is conferring with General Greene.
WASHINGTON
General Greene, today I received this letter
from a committee of the New York Provincial Congress
which charges David Matthews, the Mayor of New York,
with dangerous designs and treasonable conspiracies
against the rights and liberties
of the United Colonies of America.
I am authorized and requested to apprehend
and secure the Mayor and all his papers.
I order you to accomplish this
tomorrow morning at one o'clock.
GREENE
Yes, sir. I shall take care of it.
Who is in the conspiracy, sir?
WASHINGTON
It looks as though it originates with Governor Tryon
and includes our own soldiers
and even guards in this headquarters
with crimes ranging from threats of desertion
to treasonable communication with the enemy.
GREENE.
That is serious.
INT. WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK - DAY
Washington confers with his new Adjutant General, Joseph Reed.
WASHINGTON
How many have gathered for the hanging of Hickey?
REED
Nearly twenty thousand, sir.
He does not want any chaplains,
because he thinks they are cut-throats.
Stories abound that dealings with lewd women
were the beginning of his downfall.
WASHINGTON
I doubt it not.
Remind me to put an admonition about that
in tomorrow's general orders.
REED
Yes, sir.
Other rumors say that the conspiracy
has been known for more than two weeks
and that you were to be assassinated by stabbing.
The arrival of the British fleet was to be
the signal for a general uprising by the Tories.
WASHINGTON
I hope that the hanging of Hickey will produce
many salutary consequences and deter others
from entering into like traitorous practices.
REED
Any news from Canada, sir?
WASHINGTON
More bad news:
in a defeat on the St. Lawrence
Thompson and much of his brigade were captured.
The other two thousand were fortunate to escape.
Our forces have had to quit Canada.
REED
What about Arnold in Montreal?
WASHINGTON
He evacuated it to join up with his 7,000 men,
but nearly half are sick with the smallpox and flux.
Our excellent General Thomas has died of smallpox,
while British General Burgoyne
has reinforced Carleton.
Outnumbered, our Americans have retreated.
General Sullivan will be fortunate to escape,
but with General Schuyler's help they could fortify
the northern New York lakes to prevent incursions.
REED
It is a dismal situation.
What do you think General Gates should do
when he takes command there?
WASHINGTON
I am too far away to instruct him from here.
I pray that providence may guide him.
George Baylor comes in and hands Washington a report.
BAYLOR
General Washington, this report just arrived.
WASHINGTON
This confirms the rumors that General Howe
has left Nova Scotia for New York with 130 sail.
His flagship is already at Sandy Hook.
REED
What shall we do?
WASHINGTON
Contact authorities in Massachusetts and Connecticut
to lose no time in sending forth their militias,
or the enemy will surely attack us in our weak state
as soon as a sufficient force arrives.
Go at once, and I shall write to Congress.
REED
Yes, sir.
Reed goes out quickly.
WASHINGTON
Colonel Baylor,
help my wife get prepared to go home.
New York is no place for her
when an attack and bombardment threaten us.
BAYLOR
Right away, sir.
INT. WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK - DAY
Washington is meeting with Putnam and Greene, while Reed is seated writing.
WASHINGTON
General Reed,
have you written that order confirming
the sentence of thirty-nine lashes for deserters?
REED
Yes, sir.
PUTNAM
The British are well fortified on Staten Island.
WASHINGTON
Now that we have heard that Congress has finally
voted for independence and sent us this declaration,
I want it to be read audibly before all the brigades
on their parades this evening at six o'clock.
Are the copies of the declaration ready yet?
REED
They are being made now, sir.
PUTNAM
This is a great day for our country!
GREENE
This should give the men something to fight for.
WASHINGTON
Let us all hope so.
EXT. NEW YORK PARADE GROUNDS - LATE AFTERNOON
The troops are standing in ranks and listening intently, as Brigadier Generals GEORGE CLINTON, HUGH MERCER, LORD STIRLING, PARSONS, WADSWORTH, and Mifflin and Colonels KNOX, MILES, ATLEE, DOUGLAS, MORRIS, and HAND read the Declaration of Independence aloud to their regiments.
GENERAL GEORGE CLINTON
"In Congress, July 4, 1776.
The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen
United States of America."
GENERAL HUGH MERCER
"When in the Course of human events,
it becomes necessary for one people
to dissolve the political bands
which have connected them with another,
and to assume among the Powers of the earth,
the separate and equal station to which
the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them,
a decent respect to the opinions of mankind
requires that they should declare the causes
which impel them to the separation."
GENERAL STIRLING
"We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty
and the pursuit of Happiness."
COLONEL KNOX
"That to secure these rights,
Governments are instituted among Men,
deriving their just powers
from the consensus of the governed,
That whenever any Form of Government
becomes destructive of these ends,
it is the Right of the People
to alter or to abolish it,
and to institute new Government,
laying its foundation on such principles
and organizing its powers in such form,
as to them shall seem most likely
to effect their Safety and Happiness."
COLONEL MILES
"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that
Governments long established should not be changed
for light and transient causes;
and accordingly all experience hath shown,
that mankind are more disposed to suffer,
while evils are sufferable,
than to right themselves by abolishing the forms
to which they are accustomed.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations,
pursuing invariably the same Object
evinces a design to reduce them
under absolute Despotism,
it is their right, it is their duty,
to throw off such Government,
and to provide new Guards
for their future security."
COLONEL ATLEE
"Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies;
and such is now the necessity which constrains them
to alter their former Systems of Government.
The history of the present King of Great Britain
is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations,
all having in direct object the establishment
of an absolute Tyranny over these States.
To prove this,
let Facts be submitted to a candid world."
COLONEL DOUGLAS
"He has refused his Assent to Laws,
the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws
of immediate and pressing importance,
unless suspended in their operation
till his Assent should be obtained;
and when so suspended,
he has utterly neglected to attend to them."
GENERAL PARSONS
"He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly,
for opposing with manly firmness
his invasions on the rights of the people."
GENERAL WADSWORTH
"He has obstructed the Administration of Justice,
by refusing his Assent to Laws
for establishing Judiciary Powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone,
for the tenure of their offices,
and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices,
and sent hither swarms of Officers
to harass our People, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us,
in times of peace, Standing Armies
without the Consent of our legislature.
He has affected to render the Military
independent of and superior to the Civil Power."
GENERAL MIFFLIN
"He has combined with others to subject us
to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution,
and unacknowledged by our laws;
giving his Assent to their acts
of pretended legislation:
For quartering large bodies
of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a Mock Trial,
from Parliament for any Murders
which they should commit
on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade
with all parts of the world:
For imposing taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases,
of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas
to be tried for pretended offenses:"
COLONEL MORRIS
"For taking away our Charters,
abolishing our most valuable Laws,
and altering fundamentally
the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislature,
and declaring themselves invested with Power
to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever."
COLONEL HAND
"He has abdicated Government here,
by declaring us out of his Protection
and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas,
ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns,
and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting
large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete
the works of death, desolation and tyranny,
already begun with circumstances
of Cruelty & perfidy
scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages,
and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation."
GENERAL GEORGE CLINTON
"In every stage of these Oppressions
We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms:
Our repeated Petitions have been
answered only by repeated injury.
A Prince, whose character
is thus marked by every act
which may define a Tyrant,
is unfit to be the ruler of a free People."
GENERAL HUGH MERCER
"Nor have We been wanting
in attention to our British brethren.
We have warned them from time to time
of attempts by their legislature
to extend an unwarranted jurisdiction over us.
We have reminded them of the circumstances
of our emigration and settlement here."
GENERAL STIRLING
"We have appealed to
their native justice and magnanimity,
and we have conjured them
by the ties of our common kindred
to disavow these usurpations,
which would inevitably
interrupt our connections and correspondence.
They too have been deaf
to the voice of justice and of consanguinity.
We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity,
which denounces our Separation, and hold them,
as we hold the rest of mankind,
Enemies in War, in Peace Friends."
COLONEL KNOX
"We, therefore, the Representatives
of the united States of America,
in General Congress, Assembled,"
COLONEL MILES
"appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world
for the rectitude of our intentions,"
COLONEL ATLEE
"do, in the Name and by Authority
of the good People of these Colonies,
solemnly publish and declare,"
COLONEL DOUGLAS
"That these United Colonies are,
and of Right ought to be
Free and Independent States;"
GENERAL PARSONS
"that they are Absolved from
all Allegiance to the British Crown,
and that all political connection between them
and the state of Great Britain,
is and ought to be totally dissolved;"
GENERAL WADSWORTH
"and that as Free and Independent States,
they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace,
contract Alliances, establish Commerce,
and to do all other Acts and Things
which Independent States may of right do."
GENERAL MIFFLIN
"And for the support of this Declaration,
with a firm reliance
on the Protection of Divine Providence,
we mutually pledge to each other our Lives,
our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."
EXT. BOWLING GREEN IN NEW YORK - EVENING
A crowd of people has gathered outside the fence which surrounds a marble pedestal and a larger-than-life, gilded equestrian statue of George III. Some SONS OF LIBERTY climb over the iron fence and with ropes and bars manage to bring down the statue amid encouraging cheers from the crowd. As the statue of the King hits the ground, the head breaks off.
INT. WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK - EVENING
Reed reports to Washington.
REED
A crowd has torn down the statue of George III.
WASHINGTON
We need to control such behavior,
but I think we can make an exception this time.
REED
What do you want to do with the statue, sir?
WASHINGTON
What is it made out of?
REED
Lead, but it is gilded all over.
WASHINGTON
I think we should return it to the British.
REED
Return it, sir?
WASHINGTON
By all means, after it has been melted down
and made into bullets.
REED
Very good, sir.
EXT. NEW YORK HARBOR - DAY
Reed, Col. Henry Knox, and COL. SAMUEL WEBB are waiting to meet the British LIEUTENANT BROWN as he comes ashore.
KNOX
Remember,
they must recognize General Washington
as the head of an organized force.
REED
I know, Henry; I know.
Brown steps out of the boat and bows to them ceremoniously.
LT. BROWN
I have a letter, sir,
from Lord Howe to Mr. Washington.
KNOX
Mister?!
REED
Sir, we have no person here
in our army with that address.
LT. BROWN
Sir, will you look at that address?
Taking the letter from his pocket, Lt. Brown hands it to Col. Reed. The cover shows: "George Washington, Esq.
Howe New York"
REED
No, sir, I cannot receive that letter.
LT. BROWN
I am very sorry and so will be Lord Howe
that any error in superscription should prevent
the letter being received by General Washington.
REED
Why sir, I must obey orders.
LT. BROWN
Oh, yes, sir, you must obey orders, to be sure.
REED
These letters are from prisoners in New York.
Reed hands them to Lt. Brown, who receives them, bows, salutes and re-enters the boat. After a moment he turns around to face the Americans.
LT. BROWN
By what particular title does General Washington
choose to be addressed, sir?
REED
You are sensible, sir,
of the rank of General Washington in our Army.
LT. BROWN
Yes, sir, we are.
I am sure Lord Howe
will lament exceedingly this affair,
as the letter is quite of a civil nature
and not a military one.
He laments exceedingly
that he was not here a little sooner.
As the Americans turn and walk away, Knox reflects to them.
KNOX
I wonder what he meant by that last statement.
REED
Perhaps Lord Howe regrets
that he did not reach New York
before the Declaration of Independence.
WEBB
Maybe he truly does want a reconciliation.
KNOX
They are bringing in twenty-five thousand troops.
What kind of reconciliation is that?
EXT. COL. KNOX'S HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK - NOON
Reed and Knox escort a British COLONEL PATTERSON past the guard that has been placed around the house.
INT. COL. KNOX'S HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK - NOON
Washington and Patterson are seated on opposite sides of a fine dining table.
PATTERSON
We are willing to exchange prisoners with you.
The Admiral Lord Howe,
and his brother, the General,
have large powers as the King's Commissioners
to settle the unfortunate differences with America.
WASHINGTON
I have no authority to deal with those issues.
I must refer you to our Congress, sir.
I thought the Howe brothers were empowered
only to grant written pardons.
PATTERSON
They are so empowered, sir.
WASHINGTON
Americans do not want such papers, sir,
because we feel we have committed no fault.
Rather we are defending our indisputable rights.
PATTERSON
Well, then, perhaps we can work out
an exchange of specific prisoners.
WASHINGTON
I think that can be arranged.
EXT. CONTINENTAL CAMP IN BROOKLYN - DAY
Washington on foot confers with Putnam as he observes the fortifications.
WASHINGTON
The soldiers are wasting their shots.
Put some riflemen in the woods near Red Hook.
PUTNAM
Yes, sir. I have been telling them
the same thing I said at Bunker Hill.
Do not fire until you see the whites of their eyes.
WASHINGTON
Prepare traps and ambuscades.
Draw a line and hold it.
PUTNAM
Yes, sir.
WASHINGTON
Useless small-arms fire may keep the Hessians back.
Those appeals for them to desert printed in German
which we distributed wrapped in tobacco
should not be canceled by our musket balls.
I put General Sullivan and now you, General Putnam,
in command here on Long Island,
because General Greene was too sick.
I have reinforced you with several battalions,
but we need discipline to win this battle.
EXT. BROOKLYN HEIGHTS BATTLEFIELD - DAY
Washington and Reed on their horses are observing the battle where the British are advancing on Jamaica Road, as COL. SMALLWOOD's Maryland Battalion tries to hold them off. Many other American soldiers are retreating.
REED
The Marylanders are holding on, sir.
WASHINGTON
Good God,
what brave fellows I must this day lose!
A large portion of Smallwood's men are killed, wounded, drowned, or captured, as the British continue to march and use their bayonets after the Americans have fired.
EXT. BROOKLYN FORTIFICATIONS - DAY
Washington on his horse is rallying his men, as retreating American soldiers pour into the fortifications.
WASHINGTON
Remember what you are contending for!
Get shovels and work on the fortifications---
on that side over there facing Jamaica Road.
General Mifflin rides up to Washington.
MIFFLIN
Sir, General Sullivan has not fought his way out,
and I fear General Stirling is missing.
Colonel Atlee and Colonel Miles are prisoners.
WASHINGTON
What about the British?
MIFFLIN
They seem to be drawing back,
out of cannon range.
WASHINGTON
They may be planning another assault.
Order the riflemen into the woods,
and let the marksmen open a steady fire on them.
Keep them from getting too comfortable.
MIFFLIN
Yes, sir.
INT. COUNTRY HOUSE IN BROOKLYN - RAINY AFTERNOON
Washington has gathered a council of war with the officers available, including Putnam, SPENCER, Mifflin, MCDOUGALL, Parsons, SCOTT and Wadsworth.
WASHINGTON
The divided state of our troops
between Brooklyn and New York
renders our defense very precarious,
and the duty of defending long lines
without proper conveniences and covering
is so fatiguing to the troops
that they have become dispirited
by their incessant duty and watching.
I think we must retreat to New York.
What does the council of war say?
SCOTT
Evacuate Long Island?!
I oppose it, sir.
I think it is fundamental that we contest
every inch of ground we possibly can.
MCDOUGALL
Sir, I have been a mariner
and a New York merchant.
The citizens of Brooklyn have informed me
that the enemy could easily penetrate
the unobstructed waters east of Governor's Island.
SPENCER
If that is the case, our army could be divided
and face a devastating defeat
which we might never recover from.
WASHINGTON
My observation is that General Howe is preparing
a regular approach over favorable ground.
If the American Army is cut off by their fleet,
we could not oppose them well at any point.
All in favor of the evacuation raise your hand.
They all raise their hands, Scott somewhat reluctantly.
WASHINGTON
Assemble all the flat-bottomed boats we can get.
We need to transfer more than ten thousand men
across the East River before sunrise
and do it so quietly the British will not notice.
If anything goes wrong and we are attacked,
rally your men at the Brooklyn church.
EXT. BROOKLYN DOCK ON THE EAST RIVER - FOGGY NIGHT
Washington is overseeing the ferrying of troops and orders his aide-de-camp COL. SCAMMEL.
WASHINGTON
Colonel Scammel, go back
and hasten all the troops that are on the march.
SCAMMEL
Yes, sir.
DISSOLVE TO:
McDougall reports to Washington at the ferry.
MCDOUGALL
Sir, the tide is turning, and the wind has shifted.
I fear the oars are insufficient to make headway.
General Mifflin approaches the ferry with his men.
WASHINGTON
Good God! General Mifflin!
I am afraid you have ruined us
by so unseasonably withdrawing
the covering troops from the lines.
MIFFLIN
I did so by your order.
WASHINGTON
It cannot be!
MIFFLIN
By God, I did!
Did Scammel act as aide-de-camp for the day,
or did he not?
WASHINGTON
He did.
MIFFLIN
Then I had orders through him.
WASHINGTON
It is a dreadful mistake,
and unless the troops can regain the lines
before their absence is discovered by the enemy,
the most disastrous consequences
are to be apprehended.
MIFFLIN
Men, we must return to the lines double-time.
Discouraged and disappointed, the troops reluctantly but valiantly obey the orders and head back.
MCDOUGALL
General Washington,
you have not slept in two days,
will you not board this ferry
and go across while it is still safe?
WASHINGTON
No; you go, General McDougall.
I shall wait for the last ferry
and cross with these brave men
of General Mifflin's regiment.
INT. MCDOUGALL'S HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK - DAY
Washington has convened a council of war with Generals Greene, Putnam, Heath, Spencer, McDougall, George Clinton, Hugh Mercer, and Mifflin.
WASHINGTON
Although it has only been four days
since our last council of war
when we decided to defend New York,
the petition drafted and circulated by General Greene
and certain movements by the British
have caused me to believe
that we could be attacked
north and south of King's Bridge,
surrounding and dividing our forces.
General Greene?
GREENE
By evacuating all the area
south of the Harlem River
as soon as supplies can be withdrawn,
we would have a single fighting force
that could be maneuvered as needed.
PUTNAM
What about Fort Washington?
GREENE
Except eight thousand men should be left
at Fort Washington to guard the North River
along with Fort Constitution on the Jersey side.
I still believe we should burn New York;
it is full of Tories anyway
and would provide winter quarters for the redcoats.
WASHINGTON
Congress has sent me specific instructions
we are not to damage the city upon leaving it
though the enemy may, for a time, possess it.
Congress doubts not our ability
to recover New York.
If the enemy's offensive is delayed a while longer,
all our supplies could be got away.
All those in favor of the evacuation?
Greene, Putnam, McDougall, Hugh Mercer, and Mifflin raise their hands.
WASHINGTON (Cont'd.)
Those opposed to it?
Spencer, Clinton and Heath raise their hands.
PUTNAM
Sir, we must make every effort to keep the militia.
Connecticut lost six thousand troops in two weeks.
WASHINGTON
Yes, by all means,
but Congress must appoint officers
commissioned to recruit,
or else, like last year,
we face the disbanding of most of the army.
EXT. KIP'S BAY - HOT DAY
As British and Hessian troops are landing and fighting their way toward the American lines, most of the Americans are retreating. Washington rides up with Reed and some aides; he angrily points and shouts orders to General Parsons and his men.
WASHINGTON
Take the wall!
General Parsons,
have your men take the cornfield!
General Parsons manages to get some of his men into a line, but most of them run in panic, while the Brigade of GENERAL FELLOWS breaks and scatters. Washington rides toward the landing place and rallies about a hundred men to make a stand; but when about sixty British soldiers start toward them, they all run away, leaving Washington and his aides facing the attacking party without a musket.
WASHINGTON (Cont'd.)
Good God,
am I to defend America with these men?!
Washington, Reed and the aides must retreat also.
WASHINGTON (Cont'd.)
Colonel Reed,
see that Harlem Heights is secured.
REED
Yes, sir.
EXT. BATTLEFIELD NEAR KIP'S BAY - HOT DAY
Reed encounters a soldier named EBENEZER LIFFENWELL running away carrying his musket.
REED
Stop, soldier!
Go back and do your duty.
Liffenwell stops about five yards from Reed, aims his musket at Reed and pulls the trigger. The lock does not fire. Reed dismounts from his horse, grabs a musket from a nearby soldier and tries to shoot Liffenwell. Again the lock fails. Reed draws his sword and strikes Liffenwell on the head, and with a second stroke cuts off his thumb. Liffenwell submits.
REED (Cont'd.)
Place this man under arrest.
EXT. HARLEM HEIGHTS - HOT DAY
Washington and his aides are attempting to observe the battle lines when Reed rides up to them.
REED
Sir, Knowlton's Rangers
have climbed back up the hill
to their own positions
where they are holding firm.
The Rangers estimate
their foes at three hundred.
Would you approve
an advance to encourage the men?
While Washington is thinking about this, the British appear out of the woods and sound their bugles as though it were a fox hunt.
WASHINGTON
What?!
Do they think they are hunters chasing a fox?
Colonel Reed, take an order to Colonel Knowlton.
Tell him to take his men and three Rifle Companies
of the Third Virginia Regiment under Major Leitch
through the woods to Vandewater's Heights
to attack the rear of those British foxhunters.
REED
Yes, sir;
I shall act as their guide.
DISSOLVE TO:
MAJOR LEITCH and COL. KNOWLTON are brought out of the battle area, both mortally wounded. Reed reports to Washington.
REED
Major Leitch and Colonel Knowlton
are badly wounded.
WASHINGTON
They must be fighting only under captains now.
Dispatch two Maryland Regiments and the Easterners.
REED
Yes, sir.
DISSOLVE TO:
As the American troops attack, the British fall back on the run. With cheers the Americans run after them.
REED
The British are on the run!
WASHINGTON
Yes, but they will soon
send up heavy reinforcements.
Order our troops to cease their pursuit
and fall back to their lines.
REED
Yes, sir.
INT. WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS IN WHITE PLAINS - DAY
Washington has convened a council of war with Charles Lee, Greene, Putnam, Spencer, Heath, Hugh Mercer, and Mifflin.
WASHINGTON
Now that General Lee has returned
from his victorious campaign in the South,
Fort Constitution has been renamed Fort Lee.
But the major question before us is
whether to evacuate the men from Fort Washington
on the east side of the North River.
I have received numerous reports of Tory stirrings,
and deserters have predicted an early attack.
We agreed to withdraw troops from Harlem Heights
so that our Army is not divided by the Harlem River.
With troops in the works on Harlem Heights
Fort Washington only faced attack from the waterfront,
but now the British could concentrate troops
and undertake a formal siege of that fort.
GREENE
Sir, I believe the work
could be strengthened and armed
along with Fort Lee on the opposite shore
so that British ships would not be able to move
over the obstructions we put in the North River.
CHARLES LEE
But have not the British run their ships
past those obstructions already?
WASHINGTON
Yes, but we could improve the chevaux de frise,
and Congress wishes us to keep that river closed.
CHARLES LEE
When is Congress going to commission officers
to do the recruiting to keep the army intact?
WASHINGTON
That is a good question,
but not the one we are discussing.
GREENE
If the defenders of Fort Washington are hard pressed,
they could always retreat across the river
under the guns of Fort Lee.
SPENCER
Also troops there could distract the British
and make General Howe fearful of sorties.
WASHINGTON
All right,
we shall try to hold Fort Washington.
EXT. CHATTERTON'S HILL - DAY
Washington, Charles Lee, Putnam, and Heath are on horseback to observe the situation. Charles Lee points to a more impressive heights north of White Plains.
CHARLES LEE
Yonder is the ground we ought to occupy.
WASHINGTON
Let us then go and view it.
The officers ride northward, but are soon met by a LIGHT HORSE OFFICER on a panting mount.
LIGHT HORSE OFFICER
The British are on the camp, sir.
WASHINGTON
Now we have other business than reconnoitering.
Gentlemen, you will repair to your respective posts
and do the best you can.
Washington spurs his horse and gallops off, followed by the other generals.
INT. WHITE PLAINS HEADQUARTERS - DAY
Washington gives orders to Reed.
WASHINGTON
Send Spencer and Wadsworth to delay the advance.
REED
Yes, sir, I shall secure Chatterton's Hill.
DISSOLVE TO:
A MESSENGER enters and reports to Washington.
MESSENGER
The British and Hessians stormed Chatterton's Hill.
WASHINGTON
Yes, I know;
I heard the artillery and musketfire.
But why this silence now?
MESSENGER
Smallwood's men stood
for only a quarter of an hour.
Webb's Regiment and some of Haslet's men held,
but they had to retreat after being left alone.
McDougall's men did not even pull trigger.
WASHINGTON
So Chatterton's Hill is lost.
MESSENGER
Yes, sir.
WASHINGTON
That means our right at White Plains
is no longer tenable.
We must retreat again.
INT. GREENE'S HEADQUARTERS AT FORT LEE - DAY
Washington is conferring with Greene.
WASHINGTON
I heard that the British ship Pearl
has passed the forts and the obstructions.
If we cannot prevent ships from going up river,
what is the benefit of holding Fort Washington?
Do you still think it is prudent
to hazard the men and stores we have there?
GREENE
Colonel Magaw is willing to defend it to the last.
It is occupying a considerable British force,
compelling them to keep troops at King's Bridge.
They believe they can hold out to the end of the year.
Now that your men are on this side of the river
only Fort Washington hampers British communication
between New York island and the country to the north.
The British would not put it under siege,
if they did not think it was important.
The garrison can always be removed here to Fort Lee.
WASHINGTON
It is a risk, but as you are on the spot,
I shall trust your judgment when to evacuate.
INT. WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS AT HACKENSACK - EVENING
Reed brings Washington a report.
REED
Colonel Magaw reports receiving a flag of truce.
The British gave him two hours to surrender
or they will put every man to the sword.
Magaw rejected their demands and writes
that he is determined to defend the post or die.
WASHINGTON
I must go to Fort Lee and talk to General Greene.
Washington goes out quickly.
EXT. GREENE'S HEADQUARTERS AT FORT LEE - NIGHT
Washington and two aides ride up and are met by a FORT LEE CAPTAIN.
WASHINGTON
Where is General Greene?
FORT LEE CAPTAIN
He has gone with General Putnam
to confer with Colonel Magaw.
WASHINGTON
Take me there.
EXT. NORTH RIVER - NIGHT
Washington is in a boat being rowed across, when they meet a boat with Greene and Putnam returning from Fort Washington.
WASHINGTON
General Greene!
Over here!
PUTNAM
My God! It is General Washington!
The boats are brought together, and Washington boards the other boat.
WASHINGTON
Have you been to Fort Washington?
Tell me what has happened.
GREENE
Yes, sir; the garrison is in high spirits.
I believe a good defense will be made.
WASHINGTON
I would like to see the situation.
GREENE
In the dark?
We can tell you more than you can see.
EXT. DOCK BY FORT LEE ON THE NORTH RIVER - NIGHT
Washington, Hugh Mercer, Greene and Putnam are getting into another boat to go across again, when suddenly the sound of firing is heard.
WASHINGTON
The fighting is beginning.
PUTNAM
From that ridge we could see.
They get out of the boat.
EXT. RIDGE NEAR FORT LEE - DAWN
Washington, Hugh Mercer, Greene and Putnam have climbed to the ridge where they can observe the battle on Mount Washington.
WASHINGTON
Look, the enemy has crossed King's Bridge Road.
HUGH MERCER
The second line is being assailed.
PUTNAM
Colonel Magaw has made his dispositions.
WASHINGTON
Here we are, four generals watching a colonel.
GREENE
Would we do anything differently, even if we could?
WASHINGTON
I suppose not.
HUGH MERCER
Sir, you must not expose yourself here any longer.
I shall remain to observe.
GREENE
I insist that I stay; it is my responsibility.
PUTNAM
I am old anyway; let me remain.
WASHINGTON
No, if I must leave, then we all go.
I want to send a messenger to Colonel Magaw,
that if they can hold out till dark,
I shall see that they are safely brought across.
INT. GREENE'S HEADQUARTERS AT FORT LEE - DAY
Hugh Mercer brings in a report to Generals Washington, Greene and Putnam.
HUGH MERCER
Sir, Colonel Magaw and all his men
have surrendered.
WASHINGTON
There must be more than two thousand of them.
HUGH MERCER
Yes, sir, at least.
WASHINGTON
General Greene, aim your artillery at Fort Washington;
it is now in the hands of the enemy.
EXT. FORT LEE - DAY
Washington, Putnam and Greene are mounted at the head of a long column of ragged American soldiers. The drums are beating, as Washington begins the march.
GREENE
General, in this haste we have had to leave behind
hundreds of tents, a thousand barrels of flour,
but at least we got the ammunition away.
WASHINGTON
And the men, General Greene.
General Howe will not get these men,
even though only about two thousand are left.
PUTNAM
We must move to fight another day, sir.
WASHINGTON
We shall fight them, as soon as we can.
Otherwise the game may be up
at the end of the year.
--end of the fifth episode in a series on GEORGE WASHINGTON--
This screenplay has been published in the book GEORGE WASHINGTON: A Dramatic Series. For ordering information, please click here.
Wilderness Diplomacy
A War Breaks Out
General Braddock's Defeat
Virginia Patriot
Fight for Independence
Maintaining an Army
On to Victory
The Constitution
First President
Second Term